[Dixielandjazz] Re: Frank Thomas passes

[Steve barbone]

Dear Bill & Listmates:

Yes, I remember both him and The FH5 +2. I meant the question to be asked of
list members, not myself, thinking that at least half of our list mates
probably would not know who Frank Thomas was, without a bit of prompting.

Reasoning being that he passed away on September 8, in California and no
mention of it by any list mates. Either they are not old enough to read
obits, (his must have appeared in the LA Times), or there was no mention of
his association with FH5+2.

When I saw his name in the obit in Variety, I thought hey isn't that the
piano player, etc? 

I saw the group a few times and when I saw the obit, was surprised at the
scant mention of FH5+2, because it was a VERY popular band here in the USA
during the years you mention. Also, I was quite active on the NYC jazz scene
then and couldn't help but know of the band, Frank Thomas & Ward Kimball.

Even though we sophisticated New Yorkers thought their firemen's costumes,
like striped vests and straw hats, were corny. After all, we were "Jazz
Artists", not vaudevillians :-) VBG.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone

on 9/21/04 8:46 PM, Bill Haesler at bhaesler at bigpond.net.au wrote:

> Regarding: 
>> Frank Thomas, animator, with Walt Disney and ??? Don't remember him as a
> Dixieland Musician?
> Cheers,
> Steve Barbone<
> 
> Dear Steve,
> He was a good one too.
> You are obviously NOT a fan of the Firehouse Five Plus Two.
> Frank Thomas was the band's long-time founder-pianist and was on all the
> group's records (78s, LPs) from mid 1949 to mid 1964.
> Formed by another Disney animator and jazz tbnist Ward Kimball in 1949, the
> FH5+2 launched the Good Time Jazz 78 label out of Los Angeles and hit the
> jazz scene with some very toe tapping, happy sounding jazz.
> However, it was not to everyone's taste then, or now.
> My New Orleans-only mates in Melbourne decried it when the first 78s
> appeared here in the late 40s, but I instantly warmed to the fun being
> generated. Still do.
> The musicians all worked as artists, directors and writers at the Disney
> studios, wore firemen's uniforms for band performances (even had their own
> fire truck) and were an added attraction at Disneyland.
> Sure beat the hell out of the striped vests, straw hats and white slacks
> favoured by some so-called white 'dixieland' bands.
> I am surprised that you have not come across the group on your jazz
> listening travels.
> Very kind regards,
> Bill.
>