[Dixielandjazz] Long-running gigs

[Jerry Gordon]

This should be of interest mainly to residents of New York State's Capital
District:

Is This the Area's Longest Running Gig?

John Romano, owner of the Fountain Restaurant, had been a long-time fan of
Skip Parsons' Riverboat Jazz Band. He really wanted Skip's band to play at
his restaurant, but the place was small and the price would be prohibitive.
After several months of conversation, they finally came to terms. In January
of 1971, the band went to work on the second weekend of the month for a
trial.  Luck was with them, and after a few months they began to draw
crowds.

After one night of hot jazz and extended laughter, John went home to his
wife Bonnie and said, "I had such a great time with those guys tonight. I
want you to know, if something ever happens to me and you keep the Fountain,
I want those guys to always have their job." Three months later, in March
1976, John died of a massive heart seizure. He had a New Orleans funeral
complete with you-know-whose jazz band. Bonnie and her new husband, Pete
Benedetti, still own the Fountain, and in January of 2011, Skip Parsons'
Riverboat Jazz Band will celebrate their 40th anniversary there.

The band plays at the Fountain on Friday and Saturday, the second weekend of
every month (the weekend that includes the second Saturday).  You can always
phone (482-9898) to reserve a table at this highly rated Italian-American
restaurant, located at 283 New Scotland Ave in Albany. Jazz begins both
nights at 10PM. You can find out more about the band and the rest of their
schedule at www.SkipParsons.com.

More at http://tinyurl.com/3ygch77


Jerry Gordon, Troy, NY
Webmaster for APlaceForJazz.org and SwingtimeJazz.org