[Dixielandjazz] Kelly, Perciful, and Corky

[Robert Newman]

Thanks for the fascinating response, Don.    It's great to talk to you about 
those guys.   You're right about Corky and his love for baseball as well as 
the tenor.    I knew Corky very well in our high school days in Tacoma.   He 
went to Lincoln and I went to Stadium at the same time, 1939 and 1940, but 
to be honest with you, Corky didn't spend much time in school.   At age 15 
he was already the best jazz tenor in Tacoma and was playing constantly. 
Almost every day after school we'd walk down to George Greenwood's Tacoma 
Music Store to jam with Corky and some older musicians.    Corky used to 
work out with the Tacoma Tigers, a pro bushleague team, and was already 
known as "that Corcoran kid."    A couple of years later James picked him up 
from Sonny Dunham's band, not only because he was a helluva tenor man, but 
also because he was a damned good shortstop.

I've had some experience with Kelly and Perciful and Corky but this is 
getting too long.    Thanks for your great reminiscing, Don, let's hear 
more.

Bob Newman

>> _______________________________________________
>> Dixielandjazz mailing list
>> Dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
>> http://ml.islandnet.com/mailman/listinfo/dixielandjazz
>>
>> Jack and I roomed together on the road with Chuck Cabot Band. Jack later 
>> played a half year with me on my dad's band (Red Ingle and the Natural 
>> Seven) before leaving to go with Harry James (for 17 years). Red Kelly 
>> and Buddy Rich on that band. Jack and I spent our off set breaks at the 
>> Silver Slipper listening to Charlie Teagarden/Bill Harris  combo back 
>> whern I had a foursome backing a singer I was arranging for in Vegas.
>>
> Jack still lives in the Seattle/Tacoma area. I did share some sides of my 
> band with him a couple years ago to let hm know I was still in the 
> trenches. He was working with a trumpet player's band. One the of the best 
> players and a warm friend from my youth -- and his.
> Nice to hear him mentioned here, Bob.
> Corky would have been a major league baseball player if the tenor sax and 
> a war hadn't interfered. He was a big  time baseball nut and had been on 
> the way to the majors from minors except when the wartime draft 
> interered - the AL's loss nd the music biz's gain.
> What a fine thread you have here, Robert.
> Don Ingle
>