[Dixielandjazz] Bunny Berrigan

[Hal Vickery]

I can point out two of the most famous:  King Porter Stomp and Sometimes I'm
Happy.

Also if you go to the Red Hot Jazz web site, www.redhotjazz.com , click on
bands, and then scroll down to Paul Whiteman, click that link, and scroll
down to "It's Only a Paper Moon," you can hear what Berigan was capable of
doing given a split 8 bars in which to solo.

Hal Vickery

-----Original Message-----
From: dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com
[mailto:dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com] On Behalf Of
barbonestreet at earthlink.net
Sent: Sunday, March 25, 2007 10:05 AM
To: dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Bunny Berrigan

One of the best sources of information about Bunny Berrigan is in Richard
Sudhalter's Book, "Lost Chords". Chapter 20, pages 487 through 516. Includes
musical bio info, records, bands, anecdotes and analyses of some of his
work. 

Another, though shorter information source, is in Dan Morgenstern's Book
"Living With Jazz", pages 174 to 178. Both books are well worth owning and
reading.

How good was he? Well, Benny Goodman who is well known for musical
perfection, and strict discipline hired him in NYC, July 1935 (give or take,
Bill Haesler would know for sure)fully aware of Berrigan's problems with
booze and his unreliability. Trumpeter Manny Klein was the short notice
substitute BG called upon to fill in when Berrigan didn't show up for some
of the radio broadcasts.

Yet BG took Berrigan on that famous tour ending up at the Palomar Ballroom
when it all came together. They were only together about four months, but
some of Berrigan's best work was recorded with BG during that time. Perhaps
Bill Haesler can point us to the records?

Cheers,
Steve Barbone





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