[Dixielandjazz] Sal Pace

[Steve Barbone]

John Mills asked about Sal Pace.


Hi John:

Yes, Sal Pace played clarinet. He was the "house" clarinetist (and multi
reed man) at Nicks in the Village during the 1950s, playing with various
bands there including those of Max Kaminsky, Pee Wee Erwin, Billy Maxted and
sometimes, Phil Napoleon, among others.

Super guy, solid player, fun to be around and very helpful to me, as well as
helpful to Kenny Davern. He, Billy Maxted, trombonist Andy Russo, bassist
Jack Fay and Pee Wee Erwin used to crack me up on a regular basis. My first
major "sit-in" as a 16 year old was with them at Nick's, only Chuck Traeger
was on bass. 

Bassist Jack Fay lived close by in Bayside NY and we used to make gigs on
Long Island together when I got older I'd drive and often when returning
from a gig with the radio tuned to Symphony Sid, we'd drive for an extra
hour or two if the jazz was in the right groove. Just getting a musical
high.

Cheers,
Steve 

PS to Dingo: Don't know who the clarinet is with that 1965 Harry James clip,
but I'll bet Bill Haesler does.