Variety (Aug 1941)

40 oRODonniAS u : I Wednesday, August 27, 1941 « « « « Revolutionary changes have occurred during tke past IS years. Scientific genius has created a mechanical era, highlighted by radio, soundiilms, >v^axings, jukeboxes, amplifications. Amazing as these innovations have proved themselves, the greater fact maintains that the composer, the leader-interpreter, the performer, the arranger and the showman have prevailed. Talent has mastered mechanics. The individual artist has conquered the intricacies of the elec- tron, and personalized entertainment is extended to an audience of uncounted millions. It is for the helpful purpose of painting the true picture of the 1941 showworld of music that the BOXOFFICE BANDS number of Variety will be published for the tfade. Herein you will find the record, the facts and the future glimpse, based on careful survey and experience. BOXOFFICE BANDS NUMBER To Be Published Sept. 17 OFFERS EXTRA EXPLOITATION VALUES- , RESERVE ADVERTISING SPACE NOW NEW YORK CHICAGO HOLLYWOOD 164 W. 46th St. M W. Randolph 8t 1708 No. Vino 8t. Band Reviews OZZIE CASWELL OBCH (15) Featuring Laura Dcane Dutton Bainbow Room, N. T. Caswell's lorte is smooth dansa- pation with accent on smartly ar- ranged show tunes of the Porter- Kern school. His penchant tor mu- sical comedy excerpts is reflected also in his featured vocalist, Laura Deane Dutton, personality chirper who peddles a ditty with poise and punch. Caswell himself keeps his suave combo under control, giving the strings full scope, which of course makes it an ideal unit for a class room like the Rockefeller nitery. He is also up on the current stuff and withal shapes up into a surprisingly solid orchestra for the new combo that it is. Incidentally, Caswell Is a better-than-average emcee in her- alding the other acts. Abel. LAWKENCE WELK ORCH (13)' With Jayne WaUon, Joanne Hubbard, ParneU Grina, BUI Kaylor. Rustic Cabin, EneleWood CUffs, N.J. Lawrence Welk is a midwestern favorite who more or less makes the Trianon Ballroom, Chicago, his headquarters. He plays that spot about eight months out of the year. This date, for one-night, was the band's first shot in the east. It came to New York to make records for Decca and the showing was arranged to give eastern trademen and pub- lishers a chance to glom it. Welk's combination of three trum- pets, one trombone, four sax, piano, bass, drums, violin, electric organ, solovox and novachord is show- manly, well organized and surpris- ingly clean-playing. For some rea- son Welk sidetracked most of his 'Champagne Music' arrangements during the few hours he spent at the Rustic, and instead burst forth with bubbleless writings that alter- nated between good novelties and smooth and semi-hop dance music, tempoes of which were fine for terps. It's a commercial band, one that would have little trouble clicking in the east, if properly spotted. Besides turning out good music there seems to be no end of doubling among members. They're switch - hitters musically and from an entertaining standpoint. Every member of the crew has worked out some sort of routine to include in floor shows, topped by drummer Johnny Reese, who spends his time juggling all sorts of things, winding up by bal- ancing a string bass on his chin. Silly, but effective. Welk's work up front consists of an occasional bit on solovox, ac- cordion, and a constant grin; latter is occasionally ' overdone. His ac- cordion work, etc., is elementary, but lends a pleasant touch to the band. He speaks with a slight con- tinental accent. Joanne Hubbard and Jayne Walton handle femme vocals okay a°nd the former joins ParneU Grina, bass, and Bill Kaylor, trumpet, to make up a trio. All of their work is in step with that of the band, but-the girls make no ex- ceptional impression on the eye. One lone drawback at this catch- ing was the uniforms on the men. Not only are they in uninspiring dark blue, but some looked worn and as if they were allergic to press- ing machines. Wood.' CHARLES FISK ORCH (12) With Ginny Coon Hotel Contincntai, Kansas City Orbh is on the Sky-Hy Roof of the Continental for a fortnight's stand in effort to bring the younger and livelier dancers in to get ac- quainted with the place. Fisk's group is decidedly youthful, as the leader is only 20, while the per- sonnel includes his IS-year-old brother on drums and another 16- year-old trumpeter. They're mostly Missouri U. lads, who out-stripped their possibilities around Columbia, where they began couple of years back, and have recently made some sorties iy.to the K. C. territory with favorable acceptance. Being on youngish side their style is essentially swing, but outfit is definitely a band and not a bunch of boys. Basis of swing is to feature a trumpet quartet, in which Fisk takes part, but, with 12 instrumen- talists, group is larger than most in this territory and can make its of- ferings varied thereby. Three lads, Whitey Wilkerson and Tracy Lan- caster, of the trumpet section, and Johnny Whaley, pianist and dean of the group at 28, can furnish capable vocals, while Ginny Coon (daughter of Carlton Coon, late bandleader) provides featured vocals. Many tricks, such as how to soft pedal their large potential volume for this medium sized room, are yet unmastered, but band is out of its swaddling clothes. Fisk has ar- rangements handled by Worth Lind- ley, who soon will devote his full time to this department and travel with the crew, and by Kenny Early, trombonist. Lindley bandies both swing and sweet bars, but Early sticks strictly to swing and some of the hotter jive. Personnel is rounded by Calvin Weiss, Bruce Branson, Bill Nacken- horst and Louis Ott in reeds; 'Vin- cent Hughes rounding out the trumpet foursome; Earl Thornburg string bass; and Joe Fisk, drums, be.! sides those above mentioned. Band is well enough known in this vicinity to have a local following and the Sky-Hy is getting some extra atten- tion from younger set during this stand. Crew wouldn't do for an extended stay here, but was a good move to build a varied clientele for the Roof, which was recently re- opened and likely will continue as a supper spot during the winter. Fisk and crew head for St. Louis and a ballroom date, after which they go in for some one-nighters. " Quin, Phil Kornheiser BkpL Phil Kornheiser, general manager of Radiotunes, Inc., filed a voluntary petition of bankruptcy in N. Y. fed- eral court Thursday. (21), listing no assets and $2,546 in liabilities. There are no theatrical creditors. In 1939 Kornheiser earned $850, and 1940 to date, $668. Music man became general manager of Radio- tunes on June 23, 1941. Tyrone Power completed his record date, at Victor last week, cutting a recitation of 'Ballad of the Leather- neck Corps' on a 12-inch disc, backed by Al Goodman's band and Ray Bloch choir. Reverse is new cutting by Barry Wood of Irving Berlin's 'Arms For Love of Ameri- ca.' Royalties on the platter go to the USD. • SONNY KENDIS AT THE FI.INO Leading Both Bands STORIC CLUB, New York 46th Consecutive Week OF 6th RETURN ENGAGEMENT After a Eecord-Breaking^ Tom HENRY BUSSE and HIS ORCHESTRA will appear Edgewater Beach Hotel Chicago Opening Sept 5th THANKS To All My Friends Who Came to See Me at the Rustic Cabin, Aug. 19 LAWRENCE WELK HARRY : JAMES AND HIS Music Makers Orchestra Columbia Record* ON TOUR Dir.: —Hailo Corp of Amtrti'a *