[Dixielandjazz] The Care & Feeding of Basses

[Steve barbone]

Mostly for the double bass players (Pat Cooke, Mopo, et al)

My best gig buddy from the 1940s - 50s, bassist Chuck Traeger has just
published a book while intended primarily for Bass Repairmen, may also be of
interest to bass players. "The Care & Feeding of the Double Bass". There is
a specific chapter for players in the book.

Chuck Traeger Background

Just turned 80, retired from full time playing 10 years ago but continued to
repair basses. He is generally acknowledged here in the Eastern USA, as the
guru of double bass repairman. He works wonders.

For the past 30 years, before retirement, he played bass commercially at
Kutcher's Resort in the Catskills. Prior to that, he was an OKOM Jazz Bass
legend on the New York City scene.

He worked with EVERYBODY at Nick's (house bassist), Condons, Metropole,
Cinderella, Stuyvasent Casino, Hickory House,(with Marian McPartland), and
at all the other joints. Super guy, super player, GREAT BASS REPAIRMAN.

If anyone would like to get in touch with him about the book ($85) please
write me off list. He is not on line, but I will supply phone number and
address of his pad in NY State.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone

PS. Besides playing with all the Condon gang guys, he played with Bechet in
1947 and with Bunk Johnson that year. He agrees with Mopo.