[Dixielandjazz] The Sextette from Hunger (was Query)

[Bill Haesler]

Bob Romans asked :
 >Hi...can any of you help Norrie Thompson?

The [snipped] request was:
I wonder if you can help me by providing some info?
I was recently given a tape of a band called "Sextette From  
Hunger".....I have searched the WWW and have found a lot of info re  
recordings but nothing about the band itself other than it was featured  
on radio in the LA area in the late 1940s / early 1950s.   
.......................... wondered if you knew anyone who might be  
able to give me some info about the band, where its name came from etc.  
(I suspect that the leader may be of Hungarian extraction, although  
this may be wrong and have nothing whatsoever to do with name)<

Dear Bob and Norrie,
This subject came up on the DJML in June-July 2003.
Herewith a summary of the information-flow at that time.
I have details of the 1949-50 McGregor sessions personnel, but not for  
the earlier McGregor radio transcriptions.
Kind regards,
Bill.
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 From Floyd Levin [via Bob Ringwald]. June 28, 2003

  I am writing CD notes for a Armed Forces Radio Broadcast of "Jubilee"  
dated Fall 1947 that
featured Eddie Shrivanek's Sextet From Hunger. The earliest reference I  
have found is 1949 (I saw them at the Dixieland Jubilee in '50.)  I  
need to know the personnel of the 1947 group. Can you seek help for me.  
I would appreciate it.
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Dear Floyd:
What you have is Eddie Scrivanik's Sexted from Hunger. Scrivanik played  
guitar, if I remember, but the cornet player was George Thow. He was  
terrific. He had a Bix-like sound. I used to listen to that Air Force  
program every week just to hear Thow.
Sorry, but I don't remember whobody else was in the band.
Burt Wilson
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Floyd;
I have several 78's of the Sextet From Hunger. The personnel are listed  
on the label as:
Eddie Scrivanik - guitar
George Thow - trumpet
Joe Yukl - trombone
Blake Reynolds - clarinet
Charlie LaVere - piano
Don Hopkins - bass
Zutty Singleton - drums
I don't know if the same group was the same as the 1947 broadcast.
Stan Brager
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George Thow was a wonderful player...and setan endurance record for his
playing on the orginal Doresy Bros. recording of "Weary Blues." The  
non-stop
chorus of  lip-flexibility put most of us young and upcoming cornet  
pickers
in shock and awe.
Thow later went on to work as a producer for the Lawrence Welk TV show,
mostly behind the scenes. Bob Havens, if he is lurking, can fill us in  
on
that period.
George had a big, sweet, pure cornet sound, and liking it to Bix is not  
far
off. I think that Andy Secrest came closer, but for pure, rich cornet  
sound,
George was hard to beat.
He worked with a small group for awhile in the 1950's at the Beverly  
Caverns
in LA. Can't remember the leader, but on the night I caught them, he  
was in
solid form and it was a pleasure to sit and listen as a grown up who had
about worn out the Dorsey record when a very early teen-ager.
Thank for mentioning this fine cornetist. A pleasant reminder abotu a  
very
good player.
Don Ingle
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