[Dixielandjazz] Big Sid Catlett

[Ken Mathieson]

Hi All,

While we're debating live versus studio recordings, my favourite Louis Armstrong All-Stars record is their 1947 concert at Boston's Symphony Hall, partly because the whole band is clearly having a ball, as is the audience (that 2-way electricity thing), and partly because the recording balance puts the peerless Big Sid Catlett right at the centre of the performances so you can hear exactly why he was Louis' favourite drummer.

Out of curiosity, did any of this list's members attend that concert or hear the All-Stars when Catlett was on drums. I'm interested in any eye-witness reports and personal observations and reminiscences as I'm gathering material for a biog of Big Sid and will be delighted to give name-checks. There aren't too many people around now who heard or played with Big Sid, but I was able to talk to Arvell Shaw, Max Roach and Dick Cary before they passed, as well as recording extended interviews with Bob Wilber, Sweets Edison and Humphrey Lyttelton, so additional eye-witness input and anecdotage would be much appreciated.

I'm a bit embarrassed to say that I'm much less familiar with the Condon Town Hall recordings, which in part got the "Live versus Studio" debate going, so observations, anecdotes etc about Catlett with Condon would be enormously helpful.

Thanks in advance for your input,

Ken Mathieson
www.classicjazzorchestra.org.uk