[Dixielandjazz] Jack Fay - Queens Jazz Musician

[Stephen G Barbone]

Dear Edie:

I think that might have been me who wrote about your Dad originally on  
the DJML.  I played with him in  a band called The Beale Street  
Stompers, led by trumpeter Ken Butterfield, at a bunch of gigs on Long  
Island in the 1950s. He was subbing for our regular bassist Charlie  
Traeger who had gotten a 3 month residency at Nick's. I used to pick  
Jack up at your home in Bayside and drive him to the gigs. I lived in  
neighboring Flushing about two miles away.

We also spent quite a bit of time together at Sammy Spear's music  
store on Northern Boulevard near 161st Street, in the Flushing,  
Queens, section of NYC. I bought my first "real professional grade"  
clarinet, a Buffet, from Sammy in the 1950s. Cost $420 as I remember  
and that was a a lot of money in those days..

Your dad and Charlie Traeger used to share bass time at Nick's in the  
Village. Like 3 months or so it would be Charlie on Bass, with Billy  
Maxted and the for the next 3 months it would be Jack with Phil  
Napoleon. They both did some gigs there with Pee Wee Erwin also.

I really enjoyed talking with Jack as we drove to gigs. He was about  
20 years older, give or take, than me and we'd talk about his "good  
old days." Often, after gigs, we'd have Symphony Sid on the car radio  
playing some great jazz. We'd pass your house and keep driving around  
listening and talking about the music, sometimes until dawn.

Jack was a really good guy, who also played beautiful jazz bass. We  
were all stunned when he passed away. Regarding the recording, that  
may have been Bill Haesler who wrote about it. So I copied him on this  
message.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband




On Feb 19, 2012, at 1:01 AM, dixielandjazz-request at ml.islandnet.com  
wrote:

>  Edie Palermo <elpalerm at optonline.net>
>
> Hello Bill,
>
>
>
> Read your article regarding Jazz Musicians in Queens.
>
> You said some really nice things about my dad Jack Fay, bass player
>
> At Nicks in Greenwich Village.  I remember him coming home at
>
> Night and jamming in our basement with some of the guys from
>
> The band as well as our musicians.  His favorite song was
>
> When the Saints Go Marching In.
>
> He started his own band with his 2 brothers when he lived
>
> In Cambridge Mass. and traveled across the United States
>
> On the Rexall Train in the 30's.  He played with Vaughn
>
> Monroe from 1941 - 1947, you can see him on his web page.
>
> He was a kind, gentle, great musician and loved playing
>
> His bass fiddle.  He played with Sammy Spear on the
>
> Honeymooners as well as the Jackie Gleason Show
>
> In the 50's and passed away in 1959 age 47.
>
> My dad practically lived at the music store in Flushing.
>
> He always purchased his strings and music there
>
> As well as going to local 802.
>
>
>
> I've been researching his name and found some of
>
> His music.
>
>
>
> I've never heard the record you talked about,
>
> Can you tell me where you saw it Live at Nicks
>
> Circa 1949 CD circa 1999.
>
>
>
> Just wanted you to know that I enjoyed your
>
> Talking about my dad in such a nice way.
>
>
>
> Take care and be well.
>
>
> Edie Palermo