<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">Hi Folks:<BR>
This band was mentioned in a recent post. The group plays at the "No Name Bar" in Sausalito on Sun afternoons and having some free time yesterday, I decided to check them out.<BR>
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Mal Sharpe, famous for his "Man in the Street" interviews in the 1960s in San Francisco is the leader and front man of the band. Mal also hosts a radio show every Sun.nite on KCSM, 91.1FM, San Mateo, Ca. It is a combination of call in and anecdotal information about the current and past jazz scene of the SF Bay Area. Tune in if you can; it's a fun show.<BR>
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Mal has put together a very entertaining musical group among whom were: Clint Baker, string bass, Tom Buck, cornet, Carl Lunsford, banjo, Pete Devine, washboard and Chinese blocks, and a reedman whose name I can't recall.<BR>
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Picture this: a cozy bar (no smoking per Calif. law), a blend of tourists and appreciative jazzbo's, gorgeous ambiance...Sausalito...and a great band! Can it get any better?<BR>
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A word about the personnel: Tom Buck, Jack Buck's son is an outstanding melodic cornetist who has a unique, powerful yet tasty approach. Carl Lunsford, banjo, projects a clear concept with precise strumming which blends well with Clint Baker's solid bass line. Pete Devine is an entertaining percussionist assuming a unique posture of leaning into his equipment which consists of washboard, Chinese Blocks, 2 splash cymbals, and snare and small bass drum. He provides clever accentual touches with an underlying sense of humor. Pete listens carefully and responds to the melody while keeping a delicate pulse to keep the group together. <BR>
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The unknown clarinet man complemented the melodic duties and matched the strength of the cornet. He also played sop sax with impeccable intonation.<BR>
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Mal Sharpe plays boldly with traces of Jim Robinson and Vic Dickenson. Mal is a showman. He is a lumbering fellow of about 6' 4" always glancing at the audience trying to transmit a bit of joy. <BR>
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I have no connection with this band other than becoming a new fan and hopefully a repeat customer.<BR>
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Sincerely,<BR>
Art Wood<BR>
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