Variety (May 1941)

42 MUSIC Wednesday, May 21, I941 15 Best Sheet Music Sellers i' (w^-endiftsntray 17,1941) Intermezzo Schuberth My Sister and I BMI Things I Love Campbell Amapola Marks Maria Elena Southern I'll Be With You in Apple Blossom Time Broadway Do I Worry? -.Melody Lane Oh, Look at Me Now Embassy Number 10 Lullaby Lane Warren •Dolores ('Las Veeas Nights') Paramount Walkin' By the River BMI Band Played On P D. You Are My Sunshine Southern South of North Carolina Porgie Hut Sut Song Schumann * Filmusical. Band Reviews (Continued from page 38) Kenny Black, Gil Tharp, and Frank Wathen, saxes; Freddie Couch, bass. Adrienne is a lusty voiced young- ster, oh the cute side, with her pipes reflecting the rhythmic quality of the band in good shape. All depart- ments are up to and over par, and the ork has capabilities of big biz In rooms and spots cfter the youth- lul trade. Art. SAT^E DOWELt OBCnESTBA With Barbara Barrett Hotel Muehlebacb, Kansas City . Dance Alumnus and onetime featured musician with the late Hal Kemp's crew, Saxie Dowell has been waving the wand before his own group for about eight months. They're in for a fortnight in the Terrace Grill of the hotel. Since the Grill has had some of the smoother bands in the past several months, it is easily noticeable that the DoweU aggrega- tion is not up to the par of the season, and there is some'work to be done ii) several spots. There may be some explanation ioT the sub-par showing in that the crew has been together only eight months and DoweU has replaced five -men, two recently, because of the draft. But there is still something wanting in the leader's aim to supply solid, suave music for the habitues of this type of supper and dance spot. Notable improvement is needed in the vocal department. Dowell's quot- ing of the novelty lyrics is estab- lished, but the straight work from Russ Russell, baritone, and Barbara Barrett has to have some; wrinkles removed. Inasmuch as the band does a nightly air stint via WDAF it be- hooves the leader to make more of the instrumentation than he is get- ting, especially -from the reeds, his own specialty. Personnel includes Nick Nicholini at piano; Jimmy Wilson, drums; Hugo Grouse, Joe Sullivan, Red Bilkes and Bill Motley, saxes; Bill DeBoise and Joe Augauini, trum- pets; and Johnny Coleman, trom- bone, besides Russell at the bass flddle, with the leader featured on his sax for some choruses. . Quin. head and shoulders above the aver- age stickman. And although Bradshaw is a show himself the crew will stand inspec- tion. Naturally the tendency is toward loud brass, yet underneath is a seldom found smoothness, a credit to arranger Chippie Outcalt, second trombonist. Outstanding is the alto sax of Bobbie Plater, featured in all sweet swing numbers, improvising unusual figures behind the harmony. First trombone Jack Raggs is a plenty OK soloist, as are tenor Count Hastings and ride trumpeter Hal Mitchell. Hastings doubles as a singer when the boss is oft the plat- form. Instrumentation calls for five brass, four reeds and three rhythm. Latter department needs an addi- tional man, probably a guitar, inas- much as the nine horns pull away from a solid beat on fast syncopa- tion. Everything considered, how- ever, crew is good enough for most aiiy spot using colored bands; Sans. PAT SHEVLIN ORCH (7) Evert^reen Casino, Phllly • Okay small group. They can play the jump-up type of swing when called upon, but their forte is the smooth, sweet brand which is well In keeping with the decor of the room in the Evergreen Casino where they've been standbys for the past 18 months. It is one of the few bands in these parts which has a harp and is*even known to play waltzes, which is al- ' most a lost art among nitery musickers these days. Shevlin, who leads and fingers the ivories, has gathered together an aggregation of first class musicians. A recent acquisition is Fritz Prospero, violin- ist, who formerly played with Ben Cutler, Al Donahue, Ray Noble and other name bands. Others in Shevlin's orch are Bert Allen, bass; Charlie Smith, drums; Eddie Shaefler, sax, and Pete Rubiho, trumpet. Teddy Geonatti doubles on the harp and guitar. 0 . . ■ Shal. TINT BBADSHAW OBCH (13) ClDb Lincoln, Colnmbns After many ups' and downs, Tiny Bradshaw present crew is his best yet. Equally at home with sweet tunes as well as jive, and after a few recording dates next month should be rolling on to better things. Run at the new Lincoln is the acid test; although the white patrons don't ex- pect a drawing room ensemble, they ^ still won't dance to too Negroid jazz; hence versatility is a necessity. The maestro has always been a personality kid. His socko vocals ~ are no less than terrific, particularly 'Chicken Ain't Nothing But Bird,' 'Rhythm and Bugs' and his own composition, 'Angel.' "With years in the entertainment business behind bim, Bradshaw possesses plenty of stage.presence, pacing bis band,tvlth fln6<Ke of a blg-tlmer, p"d .st^hdlnp LANG THOMPSON OBCH (12) Bronze Boom, Cleveland, O. Since opening .of Hotel Cleve- land's intimate room, which he put in the black during a tough sprmg season, Lang Thompson has been en- larging and gradually revamping style of his outfit, much to its ad- vantage. Recent additions in forrai of Gordon Pettigrew, rhythm-sing- ing trumpeter, and Ward Kaler, sax, are helping Lang shift melodic with richer brass combos and more vocal novelties. Although getting away from jive to achieve a danceable urbanity, his boys still put a slick sock in brisk rhythm stuff during late sessions. Nice balance in this respect ingrati- ating him with young set and also the well-heeled' society crowd, giv- ing Bronze Room the No. 1 play in town. ^ ■ Using 'You Darling' as his theme song again, Thompson doubles on trumpet, accordion and second piano with equal facility, particularly in glee club arrangements doiie with good showmanship. Everyone of the men have affably toned voices but Chuck Eaton, bass, has warmest pair of pipes. Pettigrew also steps out of trumpet crew, consisting of Harry Yoder, who is tricky in solo work; Stanley Roberts and Vern Birtwell to galvanize swingier ditties. Dick Roberts, who arranges, too, gets number of opportunities to display fine piano technique. Fu Martin, Lang's 'brother, underscores the rhythm with restrained drums. Pete Foster's violin constantly featured in lending color to waltzes and nos talgic revivals, but this unit goes surprisingly light on rhumbas. Sax riders are Glenn Faulk, Kaler and Herb Teller, who keep them sweet. A new alto man, Rob Joyce, is slated to join the reed battery in the next week. Peggy Nolan, troupe's femme singer, is a pert little Irish colleen who can put a kick into numbers such as 'MacNamara's Band' and 'Kerry Dance.' Very likely that leader may add a girls' trio to line-up after closing here June 11, to start tour with two week date at Youngs- town Mansion, followed by a fort- night at Kennywood Park in Pitts- burgh June 30. Most significant change made by Lang is signing of Carl Ladra, who did similar work for Sammy Kaye and Blue Barron, to arrange Thompson tunes. Pullen. Jhn Lucas hto Army • Jim Lucas, who headed the con- tinuity department of Associated Recorded Program Service as well as publicity and sales promotion for the AMP studios and Associated Music Publishers, has been drafted into the army and his combination of jobs has been taken over by Wil- liam W. iRose. Rose was formerly with WGAR, Cleveland, as continuity editor, with KDKA, Pittsburgh, as a producer and with Walker Sc Downing, Pitts- burgh ad agency. Music Notes Jack Bobbins is publishing a new folio, 'Tin Pan Alley Song Parade,' which will contain the biggest hits of the past generation written by outstanding American songsmiths. Frederick Hollander doing original songs and background music for 'Million Dollar Baby' at Warners. Irvln; Mills, Jule Styne and Eddie Cherkose wrote 'Stay Away From the U.S.A.' Don Baye and Gene de Pcul wrote five songs for 'Moonlight in Hawaii' at Universal. They are 'Aloha Low- down,' 'Poi,' 'AH For One,' 'We'll Have a Lot of Fun' and ^Moonlight iii Hawaii.' Bay Whitley cleffed four numbers which he will sing in 'Dude Cowboy' at RKO. . William Troyer joined Metro mu- sic staff as pianist, arranger and vocal coach. Al Sherman's war song, 'Carry On, Old England,' has been adopted as official ditty of British-American Ambulance Corps. Moe Jerome and Jack Scholl are clefCing ditties for 'Minstrel Days' at Warners. Leo Bobln end Ralph Rainger as- signed to write songs for 'Cadet Girl' at 20th-Fox. Sanl Chaplin and Sam Cahn turned in two of the five song num- bers they are writing for "The Girl from Panama' at Columbia. By Heath, John Lange, and Lou Porter sold their song, 'Get Along Little Doggie with a Boogie Woogie Beat' to KB productions. Don Baye and Gene dk Paul clefC- ing eight songs for 'San Antonio Rose' at Universal. Dr. Bichard ^Hageman composing an original score .and two new songs for Frank Lloyd's picture, 'I, James Lewis,' at Universal.' Victor ' Schertzinger renewed the copyright on the song, 'Marcheta,' which he 'wrote in 1915. 'Hello, Mommy,' based on the trans-Atlantic broadcasts of British youngsters in America to their par- ents in England, is now a song by Lee David (word; and music) pub- lished by Mayfair. Bobby Dolan writing a new ar- rangement of 'St. Louis Blues' for the Paramount picture, 'Birth of the Blues.' DON COLEBDBN'S COMMO- DOBES (II) With Eileen Ingalls King's Ballroom, Lincoln, Neb. Strictly stock and strictly mid- western is this comthercial outfit that prides itself on- its lack of style. Goleburn, a dark, nice looking, moustached gent, clicks- with the college kids' idea of a jump number but can soothe their elders witb sweet stuff in the same set Arrangements by lead sax man, Paul Lenk, and Trumpeter Earl 'Pappy' Milan lean toward brassy side but it forms fair, background for the warblings of Eileen fiigalls, » t«*"»>iv number who*« (^M^^hiirri'f: W. Frank Harling completed the musical score for .'Adventure in Washington.' Gene de Paul and Don Raye as- signed to cleff eight songs for 'Hel- zapoppin' at Universal. wife. Uniformed in naval attire, the gang makes no other attempt to be nautical. There are no novelties ex- cept modernized oldies and they play straight to the end. Best combo are the Three Top- kicks, Pianist Virgil Gross, Miss In- galls and Milan, who do a neat mike stint with senii-scat numbers. Real dirt is dished by Stuff Humphrey, of the brass staS, whom the young- sters really like. Coleburn has had the outfit for five years and is just returning to this territory after a winter in Ama- rillo, Texas, where, incidentally he picked up one of his feature num- bers, ' 'Amarillo.' Beside those named, the crew has Jim Puryear and Leonard Leeds' on sax, Irvin Day on trumpet, Ernie Laborde on drums, and Al Hammer on bass. When the reeds are light for any arrangement, Coleburn helps out from in front. Miss Ingalls and Coleburn pair nicely before the band with kid- ding. Outfit measures for that just- better-thnn-Bverace. claw. . .Artf Network Pli^s (Accurate Reporting Service, Inc. (Martin Alexander"), M-liich logs the radio plugs for the New York music men, explained in a curt footnote last week that industry pressure, with ASCAP now back on WOR-Mutual, forced A. R. Sj to cease its CBS and NBC listening pp.sts. Instead, A. R. S. clocks the plugs on WOR, plus these three independent New York stations WNEW, WMCA and WHN, which, too, are ASCAP-licensed! Thus cut out are BMI and its affiliated non-ASCAP firms which have been getting the major play over NBC's Red ancl Blue networks and CBS and, of course, also Mutual Broadcast- ing System until MBS made its deal with ASCAP last week. BMI will utilize the master logs of the other three webs for its owii private check and will endeavor to make available to Variety, for publication, that information. Meantime, the plug breakdown in this week's paper is perforce limited to Accurate Reporting Service's MBS clocking.. No cognizance is taken of the three indies by Variety because of the limited scope. In- cidentally, Accurate also starts its listening post now at 5 p.m. until 2 a.m., aiid isn't clocking the daytime programs as here- tofore, excepting Sat.-Sun. However, it explains all this is a temporary routine. This log embraces Tuesday (13) to Sunday (18) inclusive.) TITLE PUBLISHES TOTAL Dolores. .s*Las Vegae Nights Paramount 7 Things I love ...."' Campbell Last' Time I Saw Paris ; Chappell MemoVy of a Rose Shapiro My Sister and I. BMI,, Amapola ...Marks I Understand Feist Daddy Republic Don't Cry Cherie Shapiro God Bless, America Berlin I'll Be with You in Apple Blossbm Time Broadway 4 Oh! Look at Me Now! Embassy 4 San Antonio Rose ...Berlin 4 Two Hearts That Pass in the Night Marks 4 Until Tomorrow Republic 4 You Stepped Out of a Dream.. .'Ziegfeld Girl....Feist 4 * Filmustcal excerpt. (Continued from page 38) savist with Benny Burton's dance and WJAS staff band, Pittsburgh, replacing Bill Eichler, who left town with Everett Hoagland outfit. Johnny Messner opens two-week stand at Kennywood Park, Pitts- burgh, Friday (23) on heels, of Bob Chester's 10-day stay there. Jack Connors, drums, from Milt Herth, replaces Ralph Herrel with Matty Malneck at Rsinbow Room, Nl Y. — Jack Teagarden and Bing Crosby to record together with Teagarden's band backing. Date to be made on Coast. Max Tiff, trumpet, last with Paul Whiteman, joins Duke Dkly band at Playland, Bye Beach, N. Y. Jerry Borohard, trombone, left Frankie Masters at Taft hotel, N. Y., to join WMCA, N. Y., studio band. Ben Bernle and Shep Fields bands booked for two-week stretch at Madison Square Garden (N. Y.) Dance Carnival, opening June 12. Jack Torchln, sax, shifts from Joey Kearns' 'WCAU, Phila., house band to Bob Chester. McFarland— Twins open Jones Beach, L. I., N, Y., band season June 28, stay a week, are replaced for fours weeks by Guy Lombardo, opening July '3, then return for re- mainder of summer. Lea Brown gets first Br02dway theatre date. Opens Strand theatre June 6 for two weeks.. > Charlie Bamet will fly his entire band from Chicago to N. Y. to be on time for opening of Madison Square Garden opening May 30. He^s currently et Sherman hotel. Bobby Byrne making three changes. Don Rupertsburg, trom- bone, in place of Russ Brown; Bob Burnet, trumpet, replccing Bobby Guyer; Dick Skinner, who was his arranger, vice Joe Gibbons on guitar. Max Tarshls and his Four Aces out of Hotel Henry's Silver GrUl, Pittsburgh, and into city's newest restatirant, the Trelon, with Stan Rucker foursome, from Hotel Oliver In South Bend, replacing Tarshls at Henry. BUI Elobler, sax, has left Benny Burton's dance and WJAS staff band, Pittsburgh, to join Everett Hoagland, replacing Douglas Run- yon, called to California by illness of his mother. Mario Merin out of El Chico, Pittsburgh, for summer-long run at Mt Holyoke, Mass., with Ramona rhumba band replacing him in Pitt, spot. Bubbles Becker band renewed at Merry-Go-Round, Pittsburgh, for three more weeks, after which outfit goes to Totem Lod^fe, Averill Park, N.Y., for the summer. Mutual network gets privilege of putting Jlnes into Monte- Proser's Dance Cafnival which opens at Mad- ison Square Garden, N. Y., May 30. Opening bands are Benny Goodman, Charlie Bamet, Larry Clinton. Al Donahne band re-signed by Columbia Records for another two years. Outfit cuts for Okeh label. ' Ann Bishop, once known as Betty Ann Simms while with George Duffy band, will be Duke Daly's vocalist when latter opens for summer at Playland, Rye Beach, N. Y. Carl Hoff's start for summer at Blue Gardens, Armonk, N. Y., de- ferred from Thursday (16) to,May 23. Cab Calloway dated for two weeks at Strand theatre, N. Y, opening July 4. Mike Bellly enlarges his band to 12 men, himself, and girl for Sea Girt Inn, Sea Girt, N. J., date which starts June 1. He's in for four weeks. Teddy Wilson cornbo replaces John Kirby's at Cafe Society, N. Y., June 2. Kirby returns in Sept. Mohawk Mills Park, Amsterdam, N. Y., playing name bands on Sun- day evenings. Sally Bomlne now singing with Fausto Curbelo band at Statler ho- tel, Detroit Bichard Himber's orchestra play- ing in 'Melody Masters' shorts at Warners. Chuck Foster continues at the Blltmore Bowl, Los Angeles, through September, roimding out a full year. Jay 'WUddien, back after three years In Australia, organizing a new orchestra In Hollywood: Bed NIehoIs orchestra, which opened May 16 at the New Casino • Ballroom, Walled Lake, Mich., set for a month. It marks a new policy at the bellroom near Detroit with week around dancing except Mon- days.