[Dixielandjazz] Jackie Gleason Show Bands

[Ron Wheeler]

I remember Sammy Spear from Gleason's later days -- maybe from around the
time he moved to Florida -- but in his early, New York days, his band leader
was Ray Bloch.

"Take it away, Ray."

Jackie's announcer from the early days, Jack Lescoulie, served in the same
Army unit during WWII as an aunt of mine.

Best,

Ron Wheeler

-----Original Message-----
From: dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com
[mailto:dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com] On Behalf Of Steve barbone
Sent: Friday, April 28, 2006 10:18
To: dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Jackie Gleason Show Bands


"Robert S. Ringwald" <robert at ringwald.com>

 
> LRG4003 at aol.com wrote:
> (snip) 
>> It reminds me of a story about Charlie Parker who, in the  very early
1950's,
>> was known to make a point of watching the old Jackie  Gleason show so
that he
>> could listen to Tommy Dorsey.  (Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey fronted the band
for
>> that TV show.)
> (snip)
>
> Bob then asked: 
> Am I wrong?  Or didn't Phil Napoleon have the Dixieland band on that show.
> Johnny Varro played piano in the band, on the show.

Lots of Dixieland Bands appeared on that show one time or another. I believe
the main band was led by Sammy Spear who immortalized "That's A Plenty", the
"awaaaay we go" interlude between Gleason Skits.

Gleason was a fan of loud, raucous Dixieland.  When he moved his residence
from California to Florida, he took the train because he was afraid to fly
in large planes. It was a 10 day trip and he hired three Dixieland Bands to
make the trip with him. He had a private car and the trip was one big 24/10
Dixieland party, costing about $100,000. (in today's dollars 1 million?)
I don't remember who the bands were but probably Wild Bill, Condon groups,
et al, and maybe Hackett for some relaxing early morning music?

He also loved "easy listening" jazz resulting in the Bobby Hackett albums
with the Gleason Orchestra. After Hackett's departure, Gleason used Sweets
Edison and then Don Goldie to achieve those sounds. Gleason is even credited
with writing songs although he could not read music.

To see the musical structure of the Gleason Show (Variety, not Honeymooners)
visit the below website:
http://www.classicthemes.com/50sTVThemes/themePages/jackieGleason.html

Cheers,
Steve Barbone

PS: I bought my first "expensive" clarinet (Buffet) from Sammy Spear who in
the late 40s, early 50s owned a Music Store on Northern Boulevard in
Flushing NY, 5 blocks from my house. ($420 which was a lot back then). We
got to be friends. And so, in the 50s when they did  the Gleason show from
NYC, I got to go there a lot as Sammy's guest.


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