Variety (Dec 1939)

40 VARIETY MUSIC—DANCE BANDS Wednesday, December 13, I939 On the Upbeat Geortie Aold orchestra rehearsing , Albany, all this week for its opening Friday Zucker. (7) at the New York Roseland. Four new men set with a fifth tenor sax change contemplated. Henry Adler takes over drums, Ronny Perry, sax; Jimmie Morreale, trumpet, and N. Y. Placed by Stan George spot. Horvath takes string bass Johnny Duffy, Pittsburgh swing organist who recently closed long stay there at Nixon Cafe, into the Blackhawk in Chicago for a run. Frank Pelera, with Jane Erin vo- calist, has opened an engagement. at Glenn Garr replaces Bobby Parks i Bill Green's Casino, Pittsburgh, re- band at the Syracuse Hotel Jan. 5 placing Dick Barrie outat. for four weeks' with four net wires per. Bobby Byrne renewed at Brook- lyn Roseland Ballroom until Jan. 17. Jimmy Dorsey plays County Cen- ter, White Plains, N. Y., this Sunday (17). Al Kavelln does four days at Shali- mar, Newark, opening today (Wed- nesday). Hal Kemp follows. Mercer Ellington band, under Duke Ellington's son, did one-night Job at Golden Gate Ballroom, N. Y., Sunday (10). Louis Chlco's orchestra signed for Universal's 'Oh, Johnny, How You Can Love' Vincent Lopei into the Palace ho- tel, San Francisco. Chase BIckle how in at Show Boat, Dallas. Jimmy Joy tn at Plantation, Dallas, replacing Gus Arnheim. Ike Lawrence now at* Club Lido, Dallas. Larry Nixon WiU Collab With Benny Goodman Benny Goodman will soon start work on a second book, this one in collaboration with Larry Nixon, travel writer. McBride will pub- lish the work which will be tabbed 'How to Lead an Orchestra' and is set as part of the firm's series on how to do various chores. Goodman's first writing was done in collabora- tion with Irving Kolodin, music critic of the N. Y. Sun. Nixon recently finished collaborat- ing with Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker on 'How to Become An Aviator,' tak- ing over after George Dawes, who started as Rickenbacker's . partner, died. Disc Reviews MIKE NIDORF STAYS WITH ROCKWELL FIRM Jimmie Johnson, swing pianist and former accompanist for Bessie Smith, conducting, regular Monday night jam sessions at Cafe Society, N. Y. Roving bandmen sit in. Skeeter Palmer returned to Seneca Hotel, Rochester, N. Y., its third consecuti've season. the for Johnny Messner and his Hotel Mc- Alpin (N. Y.) orchestra have waxed a sequel for Varsity records to their 'She Had to Go andl-ose It At the Astor,' titled 'She Really Meant to Keep It.' It's in line with a current vogue on the waxers for tunes like 'Oh, Johnny, Oh,' et al. Mike Nidorf, a v.p. in General Amusement Corp., deniedMonday (11) that he was accepting a per- sonal management proposition from Tommy Dorsey. Latter had offered him a substantial salary plus a cut on this bands- which Dorsey has organized and helped finance. Dorsey is slated to break with John Gluskin, his personal manager, Jan. 1. Band Reviews Jules AlbertI band went into Show Bar, Forest Hills, L. I., last night (Tuesday) replacing Dee prr. George King goes into Henry Grady Hotel, Atlanta, Dec. 23. Buddy Breeze, former vocalist with Irving Aaronson and Nat BrusilofI, rehearsing a band of his own. BARNET'S BIG SUCE IN COLORED HOUSE Dick Barrie and orchestra, just finished at Bill Green's in Pitts- burgh, will open at the Top Hat, Union City, N. J. Gray Gordon goes into Stanley theatre, Pittsburgh, for week on Fri- day (15). Placed by Joe Hiller for CRA. Duke Ellington one-nights In Pittsburgh Friday (15) for one of big society charity events of season, Noah's Ark ball for Shadyside hosp, at Willi.am Penn hotel. Tommy Carlyn's band out of Pitts- burgh opened indefinite engagement Tuesday (12) at Club Edgewood in Success of Charlie Barnet's orches- tra at the Apollo theatre. New York, week ending last Thursday (7) may open up a new source of revenue in colored theatre bookings for some white bands. In on a percentage and guarantee arrangement, Barnet played to virtual capacity at the Apollo and came out with over $6,- 000 as his end, and as a result has been booked into the Howard, Wash- ington, another colored stand, week of Jan. 5. There are similar houses in almost^xB^U eastern and midwest- ern keys, some of which, however, are currently closed. Bunny Beri- gan's crew is set to open at the Apollo Friday (15). One of the reasons for the intro- duction of white bands into these spots (Barnet is the only one ever to play the Apollo having worked it once before, about five years ago) is the dearth of good, powerful b.o. colored bands. There are only a handful of those and they can't be repeated at a house too often for obvious reasons, forcing use of mediocre crews. Inasmuch as the bands booked are the main draw, films being second rate, it's under- standable why the theatres have opened bookings to white bands. CHAKLES MURRAY ORCH (7) Stork Club, N. Y. Charles Murray, sax-vocalist con- ductor of his own smooth septet, knows how to dispense the class type of dansapation that clicks with the choosey Stork Club customers. Mur- ray 'Is following tough competition in Sonny Kendis. long a fave here, now shifted to the Detroit Athletic Club, but seemingly is in the proper groove. For two years he alternated summer and winter at the Seagirt Yacht Club (N. J.) and Mon Paris (N. Y.), shifting into the Stork from the latter assignment. Murray's music is smooth, his own sax leading a snappy pace. He has a vocal trio and. as Sherman Bil- lingsley, the Stork's host avers, he's one of the few Amedcan bands that can play congas with native eclat. Monchito's Latins, however, continue as the alternate orchestra. Abel. (Oiily fh« unusual reufeuied henceforth. Includinj the unxisvally bad.) Stuff Smith (Varsity) 'My Blue Heaven'—"My Thoughts.' Arrange- ment gives 'Heaven' nice bounce with standout violin, sax and trum- pet bits. Smith vocals with choral background. Reverse in slow tempo is unappealing, with neat violin touch. Ella Fllxgerald (Decca) 'What Can I Say Dear After I Sny I'm Sorry'— "Baby, What Else Can I do.' Two fine sides. Former is an arrange- ment with a lift with sax standout and smart backgrounding for smooth flowing vocal by Miss Fitzgerald. Standard tune with smart touch. Re- verse is slower giving singer's voice full play. Occupies most of side. Swell. Glen Miller (Bluebird) 'Who's Sorry Now'—'Blue Rain." Smart treatment of standard and current pop. Arrangement gives lift to 'Sorry' and rings in good brass and sax work. Reverse is typical Miller with interesting background for Ray Ebcrle vocal. He also does first. Eddy Duchin (Columbia) 'It's a Hap, Hap, Happy Day'—'I Hear a Dream.' . Two tunes from worthcom- ing 'Gulliver's Travels.' Duchin's treatment makes 'em both listenable. First is neat ensemble stuff with Three Earbcnders* vocal and occa- sional sax and piano breaks. Re- verse is only average vocal by Carol Horton but leader's piano gives its the needed touch. Gene Krupa (Columbia) 'On tha Beam' — 'Hodge Podge.' Speedy tempoed oiriginal tune serves neatly. Features good sax team and sharp Diano and trumpet solos. Reverse b less speedy but plenty rhythmic., with smart sax and trumpet Interpol lations. Two good sides. Jimmy Dorsey (Decca) 'My Prayer* —'You're the • Greatest Discovery,' Both sides good, but 'Prayer' is best via what's probably the best ar- rangement of it yet made. Organ and other instrumental effects make it a striking platter. Bob Eberle vocal keeps pace. Reverse is neat arrangement with good Helen O'Con. nell vocal and sock sax lick. Bob Crosby's Bobcats (Decca) 'Till We Meet Again'—'The Love Nest.' Both good. First is a punchy ar- rangement of standard ballad with brass, sax. drums and piano stand- out breaks. Reverse is similarly tempoed with neat clarinet, trumpet and sax pieces and always those solid drums of Ray Bauduc, Bob Make You.' nicely good Chester (Bluebird) 'Don't Laugh'—'I Thought About First tune is fair material, arranged and played with sax break early. Record is smoother and surer than new band's first tries. Vocal here though, by Dolores O'Neill, doesn't keep pace. Reverse has swingy punch with neat trumpet solo and better vocal by same singer. WILLIE HOROWITZ Announces the acquisition of the complete copyrights and business of JOE DAVIS MUSIC CO. Also Introducing a New Catalog Thank Your Stars By Harold Adamson, Abner Silver and Walter Kent (Tbanks to Jack Bobbins) Burn Firewood Burn By Abner Silver and Manrlce SIgler Twilight Troubadour By Mack David, Manny Kurti and Abner Silver JOE DAVIS, INC., 1619 BROADWAY, NEW YORK DEE ORR ORCH (6) Show Bar, Forest Hills, N. Y. This is a newly-organized unit of piano, drums, bass, trumpet (doub- ing sax), and Hammond organ. Ancil Sweet,' recently of Interna- tional Casino, is at the electric key- board, replacing the late Andy An- derson, who died suddenly shortly after the band opened here. It was hard at first for the cus- tomers here to become accustomed to a dance band with an organ, per- haps because the volume of the Hammond was not well-adjusted to blend with the other instruments. After some experimenting, however, the unit settled down into a well- rounded unit and the terpers gave the music a play. This crew works without a front man, except for such times as drummer-leader Dee Orr takes vo- cals, the disadvantag: of this ar- rangement being that the fronting of Orr weakens the rhythm section by silencing the drums. His war- bling, incidentally, is best on fast tunes, with 'Well, All Right' espe- cially good. Pianist Jerry Brainin is featured and lends solid support to the group. He's composed three ditties, includ- ing 'Chatterbox,' current plug tune in Kay Kyser's film, TTiat's Right, You're Wrong.' A lot of Music on a small budget Is the main asset of this setup. Un- fortunately, it is not a satisfactory substitute for a real dance outfit em- bracing foiir saxes, almost an essen- tial for modern dance arrangements, but Orr's orchestra should keep busy in the more subdued niterles and hotels. Gilb. Duke Ellington (Columbia) 'Lady in Blue'—'Little Posey.' Good sides. Typically Ellington and at his smoothest. First is easy flowing with sax, trumpet and piano breaks. Reverse is speedier and packs punch with muted brass and saxes riding high. Hildeearde (Decca Album 77) Noel Coward medley. The Hotel Savoy-Plaza (N. Y.) chanteuse, long a disciple of the Coward style of ballad, does a complete album with Ray Sinatra's expert orchestral aS' sistance. Selections are 'I'll See You Again.' 'Room With a View,' 'Some Day I'll Find You,' 'Dance Little Lady,' 'Zigeuner' and 'I'll Follow My Secret Heart." A past mistresss in Cowardian interpretations, Hilde. garde has perpetuated all of their charm on these waxes. Band Bookings Eddie LeBaron (Decca Album 63) This tiptop conga album of five disks, 10 sides, is the last word in the modern idiom by Eddie LeBaron, No, 1 Latin music giver-outer at the Rainbow Room, N. Y. The compos! tions are by Lecuona, Grenet, Ortir and the rest of the ultra-modern standout composers of this new tempo. LeBaron's interpretations are tops. Joseph nines (Liberty 270-1), 'Ca Fait Bourn!' 'J'Attendrai': 'Rhythm Unfinished'-'I Got Rhythm.' The Hotel St. Regis' Viennese Roof maestro. Joe Rines, has made four disks for Liberty Music Shom of them, 'Ca Fait BoumI' i class one _ French waltz destined for wide pod. ularity. It's backed with 'J'AttendraL" another distinctive French number in foxtrot form. 'Rhythm Unnnished' is basically Schubert's Symphony No 8 and 'I Got Rhythm,' of course li by the Gershwins. All done with distinction and eclat. Fred Steeli vocally featured. Tommy Dorsey (Victor) 'AH h Fun'—'Heaven in My Arms.' Both sides fairly good. 'Heaven' seems strongest material and is smoothW sung by Anita Boyer. Nice sax team work. 'Fun' isn't much but ii smoothly arranged with good earlj trombone piece. Miss Boyer also vocals. WILLIAM SMITH'S JAM Can't Book Sans License or License Sans AFM Gel Philadelphia, Dec. 12. United Orchestra Service, band and act booking agency, faces shut- tering unless it can get the American Federation of Musicians to rescind the revocation of its license. William Smith, head of the service, must first get straightened out with the AFM before he can settle his jam with tha State Department of Labor and In- dustry. He's scheduled to appear at AFM headquarters in New York thil Saturday (16). The state department threatened to prosecute him for booking acts with- out a license but when he applied Saturday (10) for a license he wal told that would have to make peac* with the musicians union. Latter re. voked his license on the ground that he booked ■ local band on tour be- low scale. YESTERDAY'S HIT TODAY'S REQUEST Thine ALONE Featured in tha Paramount Film, THE GREAT VICTOR HERBERT, with Allan JonM and Mary Martin. M. WITMARK RCA Building & SONS New York Jimmy Dorsey, Dec. 23, Castle Farms, Cincinnati; 24, Graystone B., Detroit. Al Donahue, Dec. 22, Waldorf- Astoria Hotel, N. Y.; 25, Ritz B., Bridgeport, Conn.; Jan. 31, Hotel Pennsylvania, N. Y. Joe Venuti, Dec. 31-Jan. 29, Peabody Hotel, Memphis; Dec. 29, Bellmeade C. C„ Nashville. Lonnie Mclntyre, Dec. 17, three weeks. Palm Gardens, Milwaukee, Wis. Fats Waller, Dec. 31, week. Colo- nial theatre, Detroit Bill Carlsen, Dec. 15-17, Orpheum theatre, Davenport, Iowa. ii THE FIRST BIG HIT FOR 1940 CARELESS IRVING BERLIN, Inc., 799 Seventh Ave., New York, N. Y. CHARLIE WABREN, Vrot. Mgr. ANOTHER "MUSIC MAESTRO PLEASE" WHITE LIES AND RED ROSES ABC MUSIC CORP., 799 Seventh Ave., New York, N. Y. DAVE BERNIK, Prof. M»r. THE HOT GAVOTTE Hear the Modernairet Decca Record to Be Released Dec. 20th IRVING BERLIN, Inc., 799 Seventh Ave.. New York. N- V- CHARLIE WARREN, Prof. Mgr. don't make me laugh EDWARD B. MARKS ^^1'^' RADIO CITY ?o^^ FRANK HENNICS. Gintr .il Proli". iion.il M K'