[Dixielandjazz] Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band

[Bill Gunter]

Listmates,

Dingo invited those who could make to to a celebration of the Bonzo Dog 
Doo-Dah Band.

I wish I could make it.

Years ago I truly enjoyed listening to the Bob Kerr Whoopie Band at the 
Edinburgh Jazz Festival (I even rode on a float with the band in the big 
parade up Princess Street). They produced great music and they were also 
among the most zany, wild, creative and funny entertainers I had ever 
listened to.

They, along with Spike Jones and others, had an influence on a band I'm 
associated with (The Boondockers) - and I thank them for that.

One of the things I recall about Bob Kerr was a bit where he jammed the 
mouthpiece of his trumpet into the spout of a metal teapot and, using the 
hinged lid as a sort of "wah-wah" mute, he played a very credible blues 
solo. I've tried to convince some trumpet/cornet players I've been 
associated with to try this bit of schtick but without success.  Bob Romans, 
leader of the Cell Block 7, does a similar sort of thing in the song 
"'Tain't No Sin" where he plays a verse using just his mouthpiece and 
blowing it into his cupped hand. I bought Bob a little metal teapot to try 
but to this date he has not used it . . . coward!

Anyway, when I read the band line-up for the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and saw 
Bob Kerr's name I knew something about that band even though I haven't 
actually heard them.  I also think, but I'm not sure, that Vernon Dudley 
Bowhay-Nowell was also in the Whoopie band. Perhaps some of the others but I 
don't recall their names other than Bob Kerr.

My best to them on their Celebration at the Astoria in January!

Respectfully submitted,

Bill "Boondocker" Gunter
jazzboard at hotmail.com


>From: "Dingo" <roadie at btinternet.com>
>To: "DJML" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
>Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band
>Date: Thu, 8 Dec 2005 16:15:17 -0000
>
>
>For those listmates who might be interested and close enough:
>
>28th January, 2006
>
>A celebration of The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band
>will take place at the Astoria Theatre
>Charing Cross Road, London.
>
>With original members:
>Neil Innes, Roger Ruskin Spear,
>Rodney Slater, Sam Spoons, Legs Larry,
>Vernon Dudley Bowhay-Nowell, Bob Kerr
>
>Plus Neil Innes and his Band.
>
>The show is being filmed for EMI
>If you want to be part of this 1 off show - book now
>
>Tickets can be got from:
>0870 060 3777
>or www.meanfiddler.com
>~
>John D
>
>
>
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