[Dixielandjazz] Granddaughter to trombonist Irvin "Cajun" Verret new to the list

[michele ayala]

Hello,
My name is Michele (Verret) Ayala. My grandfather is little mentioned in the bios of jazz greats but he indeed was a very talented trombone musican during the start of the jazz era in New Orleans. 
Irvin Luke Verret was born 3-11-1908 in Loreauville, LA. Loreauville is a village in Iberia Parish, Louisiana. He was raised in Broussard, LA
and died 1989 in Palm Springs, California at my fathers home.
Irvin (not Irving with a g) Verret, or "Cajun" as most his musician friends called him, played with Mattie Matlock, Eddie Miller, Nick Fatol, Ray Baduke, Charlie Teagarden, and subbed quite a bit for Jack Teagarden. 
 
As my father tells me, Tommy Dorsey said "Cajun" was his favorite trombone player for jazz. 
 
Ben Pollack, drummer, said "Caj" was the best trombone player he ever played with.
It is little known that Irvin "Cajun" Verret put Harry James under his wing with the first big job Harry James ever had in Texas. When Irvin went to the Marshall Pool Band, Harry went with him. When Harry James got with Benny Goodman, Benny Goodman wired Irvin Verret to join him in New York, 1937.
 
Irvin stayed with the Jack Benny Show for 23 yrs. He then joined the KFWB staff.
 
In his later years, my grandfather became ill and went to live with my father in Palm Springs. He died at my fathers home at the age 81. 
 
I am sure I will mostly just read from this mailing list, but I thought I would introduce myself and tell you a little bit about a little talked about trombonist...he was a great musician but more importantly an unforgettable "tata". 
Just thought I would "toot" my grandfather's horn...
Sincerely,
Michele (Verret) Ayala