[Dixielandjazz] A little more on the Gleason show.

[Lowell Busching]

Despite all the postings on the DJML on that show, which placed the "on 
screen" bands and their leaders in perspective, there still seemed to be 
what appeared to be the gap not mentioned for some reason where Johnny 
Varro and the Phil Napoleon  (I am a bad speller of names, but you can 
figure it out.) band fit into the picture with Jackie?  That was the 
question Bob Ringwald and I  had. I may have missed it, but no one was 
addressing that.

I called Johnny in Colorado, where he was working this weekend, and  he 
refreshed my memory that they were the behind the scenes warm-up band 
fir the audiences and between acts in the 1955-56 era. They were NOT on 
stage or on camera except for one short stint on one show I believe he 
said., During the show mentioned on the DJML where different bands 
performed during the show, Johnny played with one or two.

This may have gone on later also, but we had to terminate the call as he 
was due to perform.  He said as long as I spelled his name right on the 
list, it was ok to use it. :-)  I think I got THAT one right?

Lowell aka Mad Dawg