[Dixielandjazz] Paul Guma, N.O. reed man/guitarist, 1920-2010

[Norman Vickers]

This is a discussion list.

 

To:  Musicians and Jazzfans list & DJML

From: Pat Cooke via Norman

 

 

I am posting to both lists.  Octogenarian and New Orleans native Pat Cooke writes about his experiences with Paul Guma and some of Pat’s experiences with New Orleans music over the years.  FYI—Pat is still active—bass guitar, trombone, some chromatic harmonica.  He is  also active with a musical group in Slidell, LA ( on the north shore of Lake Ponchartrain)  Pat is an occasional contributor  to our music in Pensacola as well.

 

How many people do you know who can say they played both with Irving Fazola and Al Hirt?

 

If you’re curious to see a photo of Pat, search  “Pat Cooke, bassist” on Google Images.  Some photos from Jazz Society of Pensacola should show up in the first couple of group photos.  ( Lots of people named Pat Cooke, so be sure to add “bassist” on the image search.

 

Thanks, Pat, you’ve really lived the New Orleans  jazz experience!

 

 

From: Patrick Cooke [mailto:patcooke77 at yahoo.com] 
Sent: Friday, February 05, 2010 11:40 PM
To: Norman Vickers
Subject: Re: : Paul Guma, N.O. reed man/guitarist, 1920-2010

 

Norm...

 

Thanks for the info on Paul Guma.  I had not heard from him or anything about him for a number of years.  I will attend the funeral.  

 

After Irving Fazola left the trio at WTPS (early fifties), he was followed by Al Hirt, who was too busy to keep up the daily broadcast schedule; Hirt was replaced by Paul Guma.  Paul was a fine reed player and guitarist, as well as a fine gentleman.  Paul and I used to go fishing together, and he stayed with the trio till the radio station discontinued the broadcasts.

 

Re Jonny Wiggs: I too, as well as a number of other N.O. musicians, got our first lessons from Jonhnny Wiggs (real name John Wigginton Hyman).  If you bought an instrument from Werlein's, you got 10 free lessons at the State Band School taught by John Hyman, who also taught in the public schools, and played on Bourbon Street.  He used the name Johnny Wiggs because he felt some of the schools would regard his Bourbon Street activities as inappropriate for a teacher of the city's children.  In 1937 (I was 10 yo), my mother bought me a used trumpet at Werlein's for $10, which included the 10 free lessons.....and she paid for it on time!   I still regard that as one of the most loving things she did for me....my life would have been quite different without music. 

 

Pat Cooke

New Orleans

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