[Dixielandjazz] Basin Street Six - "Margie" question

[Fuzzy]

Charlie,

Have you read A Closer Walk (Pete's autobiography)? Reading that book is the only reference I have pertaining to the relationship between Pete and George.  If I recall correctly, Pete (in that book) portrayed a genuine respect for George's talent, but did mention the departure where George misled the Basin Street Six group into thinking he was sick, when he really went out to play elsewhere, which created the separation.  He stated that he admired George's (paraphrased) drive, verve, dedication, and boldness in progressing his musical endeavors.

The book also touches on the subject of the "funny hats band" too.  

Unfortunately, this single book is really my only knowledge of the subject of their breakup/relationship though...could you recommend further material?

Fuzzy  

-----Original Message-----
From: Charles Suhor [mailto:csuhor at zebra.net] 
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Basin Street Six - "Margie" question

I have this excellent CD of the Six. They were the hottest young band of the postwar revival, a joy to hear. I thought them to be far more swinging than the Dukes, who turned blatantly commercial—and successful—with their first Audio Fidelity LP (in hi-fi, an innovation at there time). Despite this, Frank Assunto continued to grow as a trumpeter in my view. The Six used to clown around a lot on the bandstand and play occasional flagwavers like Waiting for the Robert E. Lee, so they got a bad rap as a “funny hats band” from some critics. But then they’d turn around and play a jazz tune that would knock yer socks off.  Girard and Pete didn’t get along so the Six broke up, and George brought a fine unit into the Famous Door. 

Charlie