[Dixielandjazz] Bix Beiderbecke Memorial, Sunnyside NY

[Stephen G Barbone]

>  "Fred Weber" <famw at comcast.net> wrote (polite snip)
>
>
> FREE TO ALL!    FREE TO ALL!    FREE TO ALL!
>
> Saturday, August 7th, 4:00PM - 7:00PM  on 46th Street at Queens Blvd.
>
> Don't Miss the 10th Annual Bix Beiderbecke Sunnyside Memorial Jazz  
> Concert
>
> The Largest, Free, Outdoor Jazz Concert in western Queens!
>
> A night of Swing & Dixieland music.

(Remainder snipped for brevity)


Circa 1958, I had a six month gig with the Kenny Butterfield's Beale  
Street Stompers, at a bar called the Melody Lounge, on 47th Street &  
Queens Boulevard in Sunnyside, just a block or so from the apartment  
where Bix died.

It was an old speakeasy and the cellar, which we used as the band  
room, was the original speak, jazz murals on the walls, etc. We used  
to wonder if Bix had every been there. The late Al (Jimmy) Winters was  
in that band as was bassist Chuck Traeger. We attracted many sit-ins  
including Tony Spargo, (Sbarbaro), Sal Pace, Yank Lawson et al.

Wish I could be there on the 7th, but unfortunately have a swing dance  
wedding gig at exactly the same time 80 miles away.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband