The record changer (Jan-Feb 1945)

„ou see something like PAUL WHITEJlAN (BIX) or FLETCHER HENDERSON (ARMSTRONG) and you Show the personnels do not include these ♦ken, shoot us a card. * * * i The publication of Orin Blackstone's "\xdex To Jazz has not paid off and probably won't until all four volumes lave been published. Needing a little aoney we propose to sell something : We have 42 (and only 42) complete sets if Record Changer back issues, July V42 through February 1945. They are Tor sale at $10.00 each (30 issues —33c Jer issue). No orders accepted for single ssues. Mimeographed issues March "through June 1942 not available. * * * 1 We have never worked up a real "Letters to the Editor" department because lie have never seen one yet that did not link a little from the Editor's pawing fver his mail, carefully selecting only .he letters he wanted printed. Here's an idea. Starting with our April issue, we will print anything you jend us for such a department, provided |four remarks do not run over 75 words. /As an aid to ding we will print only material received In POST CARDS (75 words or less). |Ve will give the section up to two pages depending on how much blank space is Wailable. This should hold ten to twenty !ards. The only cards that will be reected will be those containing obscenities >ffensive to these tender ears. In the remote event too many cards are received o be printed, a selection will be made olely on the basis of the initials of the vriters. Let us hear from you ! The instruc ;ions : 1. Only postcards will be printed. 2. Keep it under 75 words. If you I end us 76 words we will print your jard and delete the last word. 3. You may sign your name to your :ard, but we will print only your initials. 4. Deadline : 7th of each month. * * * I Meade "Lux" Lewis has signed a contract with the Asch Recording Company. Ilhey are releasing a group of his Original numbers in his first album to be (recorded in four years. * * * ! FROM ITALY: "V-Discs put out by [he Special Service Division of the Army ,iave included some Muggsy Spanier, Lips Page, and Armstrong . . . but they are very few. The biggest kick I got lately was when I met a priest near the city of Florence who invited me to listen to some of his records, — Casa Loma, Armstrong and Ben Pollack. In Rome I met a dentist who had a couple of Lang-Venuti records. He wanted to give them to me, but the censors won't pass thai stuff. "A month or two ago, we were relieved by a British outfit, and as we say around the fireplace one of the British officers gave out with : 'Are there very many men in the United States Army who ever heard of musicians like Eddie Lang or Teschmacher ?' And the best I could offer him after that was a lot of talk and Uncle Sam's Blues by Condon and Page and an old Don Redman." Capt. Bob Connolly, Signal Corps, A. P. O. 88, N. Y., N. Y. From Baltimore : "Jack Teagarden's new band played Hippodrame Theatre stage in Baltimore (week ending December 21st), using the following lineup : Frank Harrington, drums ; Norma Teagarden, piano ; Charles Gilruth (Norma's mate), guitar; Lloyd Springer, bass ; Ray Borden, Clare Jones, 'Tex' Vernel Williamson, trumpets ; Jimmie Barngruver, Wallace Wells, trombones ; Howard Gilbertson, Vic Rosi, Joe Lenza, Joe Reisman, Al Cohen, reeds ; Sallie Lang, vocalist. "Mrs. T. (manager of band) told us band is heading for west coast to spend the next few months. Recently in N. Y. cut a flock of transcriptions for World, two of the better being 'Glass Blues' (T. most of the way patterned on his famous closing solo on Makin' Friends by Condon, etc.) and a marvelous jam group side of 'China Boy' featuring two inspired clarinet choruses by Vic Rosi. Readers are urged to flood Decca with requests to issue this World pressing— it's worth it. Finest musician in the band appears to be Jack's sister Norma, who wowed the jazz fans on a Dec. Condon show also Reader's Digest jam session. Norma is a very conscientious person, and refused to join the band all along feeling she wasn't good enough, meanwhile working for Oklahoma radio stations. Upon joining up and gaining sudden success, she still declines to cut solos for Blue Note and other N. Y. firms saying maybe nexl trip east. Right now she doesn't feel ready to record, but when she does it will be our gain for her natural style is in a rag time vein, and even big band arrangements fail to smother a style that even Jelly Roll migfct have liked." Thurman and Mary Grove. 51