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<p><font size="+1" face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">Just a
memory. 1940 I attended Syracuse Univ. majoring in chemistry.
(Long story, I won't get into now) <br>
</font></p>
<p><font size="+1" face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">A math
professor advised me to go into music. <br>
</font></p>
<p><font size="+1" face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">I quit school
and came back to Brooklyn. I got a job working for the A & P
- super market. I studied(?) piano with a local teacher. <br>
</font></p>
<p><font size="+1" face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">I also took
arranging lessons once a week with Dick Jacobs and Sy Oliver.
Six months later Sy asked me if I would like to work for him. <br>
</font></p>
<p><font size="+1" face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">The
partnership was Sy Oliver, Dick Jacobs and John Warrington. Of
course, I said "yes." January 1950 I started my new gig. On
Monday,</font></p>
<p><font size="+1" face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">that first
week, Dick called me to his office and said "put on your coat
and come with me, we are going to a session."</font></p>
<p><font size="+1" face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"> I was
seventeen. I did not know that Sy was recording director of
Decca records. This particular session was with Louis Armstrong.
<br>
</font></p>
<p><font size="+1" face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">Each week
there were at least two record dates and I was to meet most of
the great talents in the industry, and some not so great.</font></p>
<p><font size="+1" face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">I remember
going into the studio on 57th Street and seeing a string section
of about 12 or more. That was very unusual. Of course <br>
</font></p>
<p><font size="+1" face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">there was the
usual rhythm section of piano. bass, guitar and drums. Most of
the time Billy Taylor was the pianist, Joe Jones, (d),</font></p>
<p><font size="+1" face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"> Everitt
Barksdale (g) and Walter Ioss (b). Billy was kind enough to let
me share the piano bench with him. On occasion I got to <br>
</font></p>
<p><font size="+1" face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">play a few
notes in the high registers. On this occasion I stood against
the wall with Dick Jacobs. I can't remember how many <br>
</font></p>
<p><font size="+1" face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">horn players
were on this date but there had to be a sax section,trpts and
bones. The vocalist (Sarah) was in a booth wearing</font></p>
<p><font size="+1" face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"> earphones.
Sy was conducting. The orchestra played and at a point the
strings played a mini slide from G sharp to A flat. <br>
</font></p>
<p><font size="+1" face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">They are not
the same. My eyes popped and my ears wiggled when I heard the
woman in the booth "follow" the pattern and <br>
</font></p>
<p><font size="+1" face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">singing the
correct pitch, with NO rehearsal. O.M.G! Dick (Jacobs) looked at
me and smiled. When the song was finished <br>
</font></p>
<p><font size="+1" face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">he said to me
"You Heard That?" <br>
</font></p>
<p><font size="+1" face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">Sarah
obviously "heard that" and used it on the spot. <br>
</font></p>
<p><font size="+1" face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">It is an
event I will never forget. <span class="moz-smiley-s6"><span>:-[</span></span><br>
</font></p>
<p><font size="+1" face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">----------------------------<br>
</font></p>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 11/17/2019 1:10 A.M, Robert Loomis
wrote:<br>
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<blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid:CAN5hsKGz4q8raXcDi4efkmmDVVPBLp27NZm5yAw2pzhi1XM8DA@mail.gmail.com">
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<div dir="ltr">Ken, I wonder if you would object if I share this
reminiscence on my Facebook page (along with vids or sound
tracks of Benny and Sarah) at some point soon. I love his
playing and</div>
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</blockquote>
<b><font size="+2">I think Sarah Vaughn is my all-time favorite
singer.</font></b> Thanks for sharing memories! Would love to
read more!
<blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid:CAN5hsKGz4q8raXcDi4efkmmDVVPBLp27NZm5yAw2pzhi1XM8DA@mail.gmail.com">
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<div dir="ltr"><br>
</div>
<div>Cheers,</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div>
<div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature"
data-smartmail="gmail_signature">Bob Loomis<br>
Concord CA</div>
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