[Dixielandjazz] Stormin Norman - Tubist

[Steve barbone]

Hey JD & Dave & Listmates

Yes, the very same Norman Burbank. I did a few gigs with him, Rocco and
Bobby at the N.O. Family Restaurant also. Great treat as all three are
superb musicians. Not sure if they are still there.

Last saw and played with Rocco Patierno a year ago at a memorial jam session
for Joe Ashworth in Northern NJ.

Norm is working Sundays at the Showboat Casino in Atlantic City (winter
schedule) after having gigged there 15 days a month from March through
November. I work there the other 15 days a month with a tubist named Jimmy
Parker. He and Norm are two of the best Dixieland Tubists in the world and
both work an extraordinary amount of gigs each year.

Norm occasionally subs in our band and I am calling him on Dave's behalf
tomorrow. Will pass on your regards too. He has diabetes and other physical
problems, but still upbeat and playing the hell out of his Tubas.

Jeez, don't let too much of this get out . . . that there are a whole bunch
of excellent Dixieland musicians in the East who work regularly and get paid
a fair sum for it. Most OKOM literati are totally unaware of them. :-) VBG

Actually, that's probably why there are not too many OKOM festivals here.
The music is readily available. We'll see next year when that NYC Festival
at the Roosevelt Hotel takes place. Promoted by a pro, but will it draw?

Cheers,
Steve

J. D. Bryce at brycejo at comcast.net wrote:

> I presume that was Stormin' Norman Burbank.  He played with the Hambone
> Kelly's Half Fast Banjo Band at Hambone Kelly's Banjo Emporium and Eatery in
> Boonton NJ in the late 1970's.  He's a monster on tuba.
> 
> We worked together with Rocco Patierno on Tuba, Bobby Martinez on banjo and
> Dave Wilson on drums. Rocco was/is incredible on trombone. Rocco and Norman
> also worked with the Buffalo Disaster Jazz Band at Hambone's during the same
> period.
> 
> I believe they (Norman, Rocco and Bobby) are still working alternate
> weekends at the New Orleans Family Restaurant in Somerset, New Jersey.  They
> alternate with the Chuck Slate band.
> 
> Every time I go back to Jersey, I swear I'm going to get to see these guys,
> but never do. Pity...
> 
> If anyone sees Norman, give him my absolute best!
 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <barbonestreet at earthlink.net>
 
>> Please forgive this personal message to: DAVE HANSEN in Atlanta (I don't
>> have his email address)
>> 
>> DAVE, I gigged with "Stormin Norman" at The Showboat in Atlantic City
>> yesterday.  He subbed for our regular guy and says you will remember him as
>> being in the band with you at  "Ruby Red's" for a few months in 1971.  He
>> remembers you and sends you his best. He is still the finest self taught
>> Tuba Player in the world. He  lives in Tom's River NJ, gigs as a regular in
>> the other band at the Showboat and has gigged off and on with me since 1991.
>> 
>> SMALL WORLD