[Dixielandjazz] All About Jazz article with Eli Newberger

[jtnt at aol.com]

I had a jazz calendar, 1989, I think, that on one month had a picture of  
Eli with the caption:  "Doesn't he know you can't do that with a Tuba?"  
which is what he frequently did the many times we say him play.
 
Saw him with Butch Thompson and Jimmy Mazzy in Rockland, ME. Was  
dumbfounded when he sat down at the piano during intermission and played  
wonderfully; didn't know then of his piano background.
 
Which reminds me of another piano playing tubist--Rich Matteson.  At a  
late 50's Scobey appearance when the new piano player (Gene  Schroeder??) got 
lost on the way to the club, the band started on time with  Matteson at the 
piano, playing  tuba with one hand, piano with the  other.  Seems like 
another "Doesn't he know you can't do that with a tuba  (and piano)?"
 
Jack Thomas