[Dixielandjazz] Eartha Kitt book reviewed - London Observer, December 15, 2014

[Jack Mitchell]

In October 1973 Eartha Kitt was in Hobart Tasmania performing at the 
Casino, backed by a bi(gish) commercial band. Strolling through Hobart 
during the day she chanced upon a bookshop managed by pianist Ian 
Pearce, where by lucky chance the Pearce Pickering Ragtime Five was 
playing a lunch time gig. She was so taken by the group that she 
insisted that they play with her at the Casino that night. It was a 
happy gig indeed, maybe she wasn't the greatest jazz vocalist but she 
certainly knew her way around our music.

After that session she was chatting with the band back stage when the 
stage manager poked his head in and said "You're on now Miss Kitt" and 
she said to Tom," now I've got to go back to being Eartha Kitt."  Later 
there were press reports that she wanted that Hobart group to tour with 
her, but it never happened.

Fortunately the session was recorded and is now on CD, including 
Eartha's remarks and happy giggles.

*EARTHA KITT*

vocal with the PEARCE PICKERING RAGTIME FIVE: Tom Pickering -cl; Ian 
Pearce -p;Oscar Smith -g; Ron Roberts -sb; Michael Colrain -d.Hobart, 
October 19, 1973

BILL BAILEY, WON’T YOU PLEASE COME HOMELyric CDL-267 -2

ST. LOUIS BLUESLyric CDL-267 -2

I CAN’T GIVE YOU ANYTHING BUT LOVELyric CDL-267 -2

I WISH I COULD SHIMMY LIKE MY SISTER KATELyric CDL-267 -2

AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’Lyric CDL-267 -2

CARELESS LOVELyric CDL-267 -2

THEDARKTOWN STRUTTERS BALLLyric CDL-267 -2

Best wishes
Jack Mitchell