[Dixielandjazz] re: Dixieland is where you find it...

[charles coleman]

Hi Listees,  
    Steve Barbone posted .."And we thought West, by God, Virginia was all hillbillies..."
    We have attended the West Virginia Coon/Sanders fan club bash for the past 25 years until health slowed us down.   It started with a small group of fans and for years operated on a shoestring.   Now it's a sold-out event.    The West End Jazz Band specializes in the hot dance tunes of the 1920's and trumpet/leader Mike Bezin's arrangements of the Coon/Sanders titles are really something to hear.   There has to be more than six musicians on the stage to get that full sound.  The 'formal' part of the programs end at midnight, but the after-hours jam sessions go on until the wee hours with guest musicians getting a chance to sit in.   Trombonist Spiegle Wilcox once remarked when the crowd began to thin out - "Where's everyone going?"   (It was 3:00 in the morning!)   Spiegle  at the time was in his 90's.   Other guests and performers over the years were two recently posted on this list - Ralph Grugel and Paul "Laundry Fat" Huling.   For more information on the Coon/Sanders fans club bash go to            redhotjazz.com    and click on Coon/Sanders.    Regards,   Charlie Coleman