[Dixielandjazz] Re: Tony Spargo's grandson thanks

[Steve barbone]

Here is a note from Paul Sbarbaro, Tony Sbarbaro's (Spargo) grandson, and my
answer to him. Thanks again to all of you on the DJML who responded with
information to him. And thanks to my pal drummer Dick Sherman, not on the
list, who took a few lessons from Tony in the 1950s and passed on his
remembrances of them to Paul.

Hi Paul:

I wish you the best with your health issues.

Yes, I would have loved to have traded stories with your Dad about Nick's
and Tony Spargo's drumming with various bands there. It was a magical time
for me and all the rest of us musicians and fans who saw/heard and met him
there. Dixieland was very popular then and the NYC clubs like Nick's,
Condon's, Ryan's, Metropole, Cinderella, etc., were unbelievably crowded.
And +your Granddad was an ICON.

It is very possible that the photos you have of Nick's and some young
musicians there in the 1950s include me. I would love to see them. The
various bands at Nick's always encouraged us kids and jazz wannabes to sit
in and they were very kind to us and supportive.

That does not happen so much anymore as many older Dixieland musicians just
don't want to be bothered for one reason or another. However, there are
bands like mine, Blue Street, Wally's Warehouse Waifs, Grove Street
Stompers, Galvanized and educators like Mike Vax and Dave Robinson, and
individuals like Ed Polcer, Dan Levinson, and festivals/jazz Societies in
Sacramento, Pennsylvania and Washington/Baltimore who carry on the tradition
of passing the torch. (please forgive me fellow band leaders and jazz
Societies if I did not mention you, I know there are many more)

I agree with you about ODJB and also think New Orleans Rhythm Kings were a
better band. HOWEVER, ODJB got there on the International Scene FIRST.
Whether by luck, or by promotion, or color, makes little difference. They
STARTED the jazz craze with the mass audience and influenced a legion of
bands who followed their formula for success.

You might get an argument about Tony being better that Baby Dodds. It is
always difficult to rate one player against another because of stylistic
differences, etc. Suffice it to say that they were both great drummers and
that they were on the scene early in the game and very, very innovative. All
of us Johnny come lately's couldn't help but learn from them.

My remembrances of Tony are that he was a wonderful drummer to watch in
person. Kept time like a metronome, swung his ass off and liked to help the
kids like Dick Sherman and me. What else is there? Oh yes, he was a low key
showman also and fun to hear when he broke out his kazoo for a chorus. He
influenced all of us, drummers and other jazz instrumentalists, who came in
contact with him, or heard his records.

Small world considering your Mom and EmArcy records, Clifford Brown Sassy
Vaughn, Billy Eckstein and the rest. And Bob Leive. I've gigged with him off
and on during the past 15 years and found each one to be quite enjoyable. He
is another muso who helps the kids as well as a fine OKOM trumpet player and
all around musician.

Yeah, Clifford Brown was one of the most wonderful guys I've ever met.
Straight up, not a bad word about anyone, intelligent and a genius jazz
trumpeter. His early death was indeed a shock to all of us in 1956. OKOM and
Boppers alike.

Cheers,
Steve



on 11/11/05 11:08 AM, paul sbarbaro at oneedmeg at yahoo.com wrote:

Thanks Steve for all your valuable info and sorry i took so long to reply-
some major health issues .  Tony Spargo had Parkinson's so did my uncle Tony
now I'm 3rd generation blessed with it.

Someone named Ron tweed played with my uncle  and thanks to Djml i was able
to find some valuable health information but my uncle passed away 3 years
ago.  you sound like you know your jazz and my dad would of loved your
stories. He had quite a career as a producer and worked with many jazz and
pop stars and some strange ones too.

I have plenty of old newspaper clippings and some old photos especially of
Nicks club with a few unidentified young kids playing from early 50's- could
you be one of them?

My mom has a fax  photo copier maybe you want to see some photos? I decided
to do something now before my health declines and my sister plays anymore
Kenny G! Taking a trip to Oklahoma were Gary Edwards who is trombonist
Eddie Edwards grandson has alot of odjb material Once again sorry about my
typing skills and i love reading about the arguments pro and con about the
odjb- I'm no expert but lets just say the odjb was like 5 guys riding down
the road and 5 beautiful girls needed a flat tire fixed. They definitely
were in the right place at the right time!

My dad wasn't crazy about ho H O'Brunns take on the whole band meaning one
guy got alot of the credit and financial reward. While my dads opinion of
how great my grandpa was mattered it was good to here it from you and others
at the DJMList.Dad thought New Orlean's Ryhtmn Kings were more talented than
odjb!

PS Saw your Clifford brown tribute;  guess what my mom worked at Em'Arcy
records co- produced all or most of his records along with Sarah Vaughn
Dinah billy Eckstein and went to high school with trumpet player you know
named bob Leive and stays in touch . Arpena Spargo was her name-cliffie was
the quietest most ego less musician she knew-why?And most important of all
my father swore that Tony Spargo was a more complete drummer than BABY
DODD'S. iapoligize again for bad grammar and typing