[Dixielandjazz] Bunk Johnson - Maria Elena etc. + Chuck Traeger.

[Steve barbone]

Just got off the phone with my best musical buddy, Chuck Traeger. In the
1940's and 50's Chuck was one of the premier OKOM bassists on the New York
Jazz scene. In addition to playing WITH EVERYBODY at Condon's, Nick's,
Hickory House (backing Marion McPartland) etc., he played and recorded with
Bunk Johnson circa 1947 at the Central Plaza.

He remembers playing Maria Elena with Bunk several times on dates, but is
not sure if it is on the record they made with Bob Wilber's band back then.
I believe George Buck might have re-issued it a while back.  He, like Don
Ingle and I, also remembers the original tune as a Waltz.

He cracked up when I asked him about it saying; "Who the hell is left in the
world that is interested in this stuff?" So I explained the DJML to him and
not having a computer, he sends all list mates his regards.

If you were around NYC jazz joints 45 to 60 years ago, you probably remember
this wonderful bassist who later became a highly respected bass repairman
with clients from the NY Philharmonic to the legendary jazzman, Ron Carter.
He just celebrated his 80th birthday and now lives in the woods in New York
State, near Bear Mountain with June, his wife of over 50 years.

Quite a change from those wild and crazy happenings with Condon and the OKOM
jazzers of that period when he and June lived in a tiny apartment in
Greenwich Village, right around the corner from Nick's. (he walked to work)

Cheers,
Steve