[Dixielandjazz] Tommy Newsom RIP

[Ron Wheeler]

Tommy's 'Mr. Bland' image was the perfect foil for wise-cracking Johnny and
the flamboyant Doc Severinson.

Fans of the Big Band sound [count me in!] can download the entire Airmen of
Note collection, thirty-nine albums covering a 47-year period, on free
MP3's, from http://www.rewindplay.com/airmenofnote/sounds/sounds.htm.  The
free versions are at a good-quality 24 kb/sec level and for a $20
contribution, you can download the whole shebang at CD-quality (192~320
kb/sec).

The recordings go back to Tommy's days with the 'Note' and feature him as a
returning guest artist on a couple other albums.  Other albums feature guest
artists such as Sarah Vaughn, Joe Williams, Carmen McRae, George Shearing,
etc.

Best to all,

Ron Wheeler
-----Original Message-----

Just received word of Tommy's passing.  It saddens me.  He was a good and
long-time friend and a wonderful musician.

--Bob Ringwald


Tonight Show' Band Member Tommy Newsom Dies at 78
By Adam Bernstein

 -- snip --
He spent four years in the Airmen of Note, the Air Force's big band, and
received a master's degree in music education from Columbia University.
 -- snip --