[Dixielandjazz] Re: Frank Thomas passes

[Russ Guarino]

I'm a Southern Californian, and the FF5+2 were Disneyians, not vaudevillians.

Russ Guarino

Steve barbone wrote:

> 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.
> >
>
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