[Dixielandjazz] (no subject)

[Marty Nichols]

Original :Message: 12
Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2007 09:25:33 -0500
From: "Mike Woitowicz" <banjomusic at charter.net>
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Memories of Great Musicians
To: "Dixieland Jazz" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Cc: Dixieland Jazz Mailing List <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Message-ID: <002c01c7a458$b71c9710$20a95247 at ACERLAPTOP>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
  Ed Coltrin's interesting historical recollections of his experiences 
listening to some of the great past players in California brings back 
similar memories of experiences I've had in Wisconsin.
  In the 60's we had a pub in downtown Milwaukee called The Tunnel Inn 
featuring OKOM. The house band was the Underprivileged Five, led by 
trumpeter extraordinaire Dick Ruedebusch. Some of the personnel in the 
group 
over the years included trombonists Ralph Hutchinson, Bob Knutzen and 
Bill Johnson; drummers Al Praefke, Clyde Hornburg; bassists Lee 
Burrows, 
Bill Ermi; and clarinetist Sam Armato. I believe Chuck Hedges also 
played with this band over the years. There were many others but I've 
lost 
track over time.
  I was just old enough to legally get into pubs, and being in college at 
the time, didn't have much money. So, I used to go in and sit at the 
bar and nurse 1 or 2 brews all night (for the extraordinary price of 
$1.50 each at the time). But I heard some of the finest OKOM in the 
area 
and some legendary musicians. 
  Recently, while reminiscing with some of the guys in my band, I was 
describing this experience. Turns out that several of the guys who work 
with me today did the same thing at about the same period of time! Who 
knows, we might have been sitting at the bar at the same time, not 
knowing that 40+ years later we would be carrying on the OKOM 
tradition.
  Ruedebusch died in 1968 at the age of 44. Sam Armato is in his 80's and 
is still honking his clarinet in this area. Ralph Hutchinson is lives 
in a local retirement facility and to my knowledge doesn't perform any 
more. Lee Burrows, a great jazz bassist, died about 3 or 4 years ago. 
Chuck Hedges has some recent health problems, but is recovering and is 
back performing superbly again. I don't know about any of the others 
since I was not as familiar with them.
  Great memories good times and of some great musicians.
  Mike Woitowicz
The Banjo Barons Ragtime Band
The Dixie Barons Dixieland Band
www.banjomusic.biz
  ------------------------------
Mike and List,
  It was enjoyable to read your reminiscing about Wisconsin Jazz scene.
I knew and played with some of the same guys in Chicago in 1953-57.
I met Chuck Hedges when we were both starting out at jam sessions at
"The Key Of 'C'." And we subsequently played together at venues all over Chicago: Jazz Ltd., Brass Rail, 1111 Club, Normandy Restaurant. Etc.
  Ralph Hutchinson had been playing with Muggsy Spanier and I made it a point to go hear him when I could. Once I met him in the "Green Mill."
I was younger than him and wanted some "pointers." I recall his words: "Practice, practice!" I often wonder how his career went later, when I lost track.
  I also knew and heard Bill Johnson on trombone. He and I switched in and out of Jimmy Ille's band at the Brass Rail. Others I played with:
Doc Cenardo, Floyd Bean, Ernie Gardner, Bobby Ballard, Dave Remington, Bob Cousins, Danny Alvin, Nat Trottier, Jug Berger, Truck Parham, Frank Chace (Is Frank still alive?) Eddie Higgins, and so many more I can't remember or spell their names right. 
Marty Nichols
Trombone
   http://myspace.com/freemarty