[Dixielandjazz] Composer data needed

[Bill Haesler]

  Edmetzsr at aol.com asked:
> ......I'm in the process of finishing an arrangement of a tune 
> recorded by Bob Crosby entitled "Catalina Jump"..... can't find who 
> the composer was (probably one of the band members) or when (what 
> year) the tune was written. Can any one help? The band had a number of 
> stints on Catalina Island, both before and after WWII. I suspect the 
> tune and their arrangement was done in conjunction with
> the band being on the island.

Dear Ed.
In the notes to Hindsight LP HSR-192 Dave Dexter Jr, ex Down Beat 
editor and writer, says [in part] about "Catalina Jump" quoting Eddie 
Miller: "We loved playing Catalina Island and we had a big success 
there in our two engagements."
Mr Dexter then adds: This is a Matlock composition and arrangement and 
provides the date for the Standard transcription session in Los Angeles 
as 1941.
My further research reveals that the Crosby band's first season on 
Catalina Island (near Los Angeles) commenced on 17 August 1940 and 
finished in mid September. Muggsy Spanier and Hank D'Amico were in the 
band.
The orchestra returned for another season on Catalina Island in early 
August-mid September 1941 playing at the Casino Ballroom and St 
Catherine's Hotel.
Yank Lawson rejoined the orch starting with this second engagement and, 
as Hank D'Amico had just left, Matlock once again became the clarinet 
soloist.
They were offered a return booking in 1942, but by then Catalina had 
been decreed an official 'war zone'!
Soloists on "Catalina Jump" are Jess Stacy, Matty Matlock and Eddie 
Miller.
By a process of elimination (which I won't bore you with) using other 
Standard recordings and the Crosby band's itinerary, I have determined 
that "Catalina Jump was probably recorded between August 1941 and 
January 1942.
Therefore: "Catalina Jump" (1941. Matty Matlock).
Kind regards,
Bill.