Variety (Jul 1946)

W^iwnlay, July 3, 1946 Lecuona Cuban Boys Split Up; Orefiche, Founder, Sets New Unit Havana, July 1. ■♦ The Lecuona Cuban Boys, ace en- tertainer* In the class casinos and music halls of Europe and South Africa for the last 14 years, have up. They started here as the house orchestra at Teatro El En- canto in 1932, and took the Lecuona name when they introduced Ernesto Lecuona's music on a tour in Spain in 1933. Armando Orefiche, founder of the troupe, and its composer, arranger, iunlst and. conductor since its in- ception, has organized a new and younger group comprising Havana's lop singers, dancers and musicians; -All ot Orefiche's compositions and arrangements are now restricted to exclusive use by his new combo. They carry four elaborate changes of authentic rumba and conga cos- tumes, designed by Rita Camarosa of the Teatro Nacibnal, and a com- plete collection of maracas; guiros (gourds), claves, quijades (horse jawbones), man'mbula, botijas. (wa- ter Jugs), gangarrias, bongo and conga drums, and other native in- struments. Orefiche retains the Lecuona Cuban Boys' billing, which he orig- inated and copyrighted, but here- after he will stress the tunes of Margarita Lecuona, who wrote "Babalu" and "Tabu," instead of those by Ernesto' Lecuona. Mar- garita and Ernesto are not related. They open with a gala concert at Carnegie Hall, New York, in Sep- (Continued on page 35) Sepias Headway Into Pic Studios Hollywood. July ■ 2, Drive recently inaugurated by Ne- gro Musician's' Local 787 to induce film studios to hire more colored windjammers has shown some evi dences of making headway. For years the only Negro employed among approximately 500 musicians under pact to studios was arranger Calvin Jackson,, longtime assistant to Georgie Stoll at Metro. Now, Lee Young, drummer, has been given one-year contract by Columbia, and Dudley Brooks has been hired by same studio as rehearsal pianist. There's no possibility Local 767 can secure aid from hierarchy of American Federation of Musicians, since such a move would be pres sure against other union members,' of white Local 47. Ed Bailey, prez, of 767, has committee of two men making rounds of studios trying to talk musical directors into it, on basis that Negro filmgoers will re- spond. Alwoy. S«»g — All Woyt Pepalor MILLS PROGRAM SUGGESTIONS MARY LOU IT MUST BE TRUE ' • STARS FELL ON ALABAMA MILLS MUSIC. INC. Iroodwoy New York It N. Y. Distrib Asks Nix Of Regis Record Suit Making a general denial of all allegations, Eastern Music Sales, N. Y. distributor,'has asked dismis- sal of a suit for $4,686 brought by Regis Record Co.- for alleged failure by Eastern to pay for recordings de- ivered"last April. Eastern had coun- ter-claimed; that Regis breached an exclusive distribution contract by licensing others to sell and dis- tribute its records in its "exclusive" territory through New York City and elsewhere in N. Y. state. Eastern further states that it re- turned all the recordings but Regis refused, to accept them. In its counterclaim, Eastern says that be- cause of the breach, it was . unable to sell or distribute the recordings, and consequently suffered cancella- tions and further loss because it paid salesmen's commissions. East- ern is asking $3;000 oh that count. LA. AFM Probes Transfer Influx Hollywood, July 2. Musicians' Local 47 has com- menced vigorous investigation of ad- dresses given by union members transferring into this jurisdiction. Local wants to ascertain if info of- fered is bona fide and if those seek- ing transfers plan really to reside here, or are- just drifters. Each ad- dress is closely checked to deter- mine that applicant is no mere tran- sient, trying to evade American Federation of Musicians' laws gov- erning transfers from other locals. Any musician found guilty of subter- fuge can be brought before trial board, in accordance with AFM reg- ulations. Reason Local 47 has commenced checks probably is to keep to a minimum the number of transferees accepted here, where already there are more than 12,000 musicians and only about 4,000 regular jobs. AFM law holds that any member seeking a transfer into any local must be afforded it. providing shift is sought in good faith. AUTRY CONTINUES TO NIX OFFERS FOR FIRM Hollywood, July 2 Gene Autry has been stoutly re- fusing offers for his oatune-publish ing firm. Western Music, headquar- tered in Hollywood. Firm has been so quiet of late, it would seem to be almost inactive, probably because cowboy star's time has been pre- occupied wilh his rodeo, films and radio. Nixed has been bid of $60,000. made by Hill & Range Songs. Inc., for outright holdings of West- ern. Also turned down was deal made by Peer International, through which songs held by Aulry's firm would be handled both here and abroad by Peer, and Autry would get a cut . of profits. This was nixed even though Western has no over- seas distribution ORCHESTRAS-MUSIC 33 A Rose by . . . Hollywood, July'2. In the couple of weeks since Joey Brunsk's recently formed orch opened at Barney . Mc- Devilt's Avodon ballroom, lead- er's name has twice been al- tered. From original, name was. switched to. "Joe Brunner" be- cause "it sounds like a fighter's tag." Then it was decided that sounded too German, and now the maestro has emerged as "Jerry Brent." MCA Streamlines Band, Other Depts. Music Corp. of America went in for some streamlining last week. Most important move is naming Larry Barnett, . who previously headed the band department only, to continue that post while at the same time coordinating that depart- ment with activities of the act de- partment. Jack Bertell, who previously headed the cafe section, will now concentrate on building of personal- ities and will double into legit. May Johnson, who doubled between small bands and cafes, has been as- signed to help set up a -branch office in Montreal. MCA is expected to name Ray Overbeck of the Califor- nia office to work in the Canadian city. Joe Sully, of the vaude depart- ment, is moving to the Coast of- fice, where he'll advise on acts wor- thy of being sent to the east to work in cafes and vauderies. Maurice Lapue, who handled acts for club- dates will double into legit as Ber- lell's aide. Moves have been in the wind for sometime. : MCA toppers havel long felt that streamlining the N. Y. of- fice was necessary, and a meeting on that score was slated for last week in N. Y. However, Larry Barnett, called off the meet to go to the Coast to study the situation furr ther; with his return soon confab will take place, somewhere. The founding of a Montreal of- fice was deemed necessary because Ontario repealed its Prohibition statutes, and the nitery industry is expected to boom there. Miss John- son handled the office's Canadian cafe accounts. Waxeries Await Word in the Fall On Petrillo's Upped-Pay Demands Musikers Get C. of C. . Pitch on the Coast Los Angeles, July 2. Chamber of Commerce has in- vited Musicians' Local 47 to become a member, in the company classifi- cation. This is first instance here- abouts, and certainly one of first in the U. S., of a C. of C. asking a labor union organization into the bower of the boosters. While Local 47 as yet has not of- ficially responded to invitation, it appears certain that bid will be ac- cepted. Berlin Upped 750 Points by ASCAP The ASCAP appeals board' last week gave Irving Berlin Music Co. an increase from the previously designated 4,000 points to 4,750 points in the publisher's protracted fight for uppage. When Berlin and Saul H. Bornstein, his partner in Berlin, Inc., severed partnership there was a reshuffling of points for catalog values. Berlin; Inc. enjoyed 5,500-point rating (top classification) and .ABC Music Corp., a subsidiary,! held 1,250 points. With Bornstein forming his Bourne, Inc., ABC was cut to 250 points , and Bourne was allotted 4,000, Berlin claimed that his own new firm rated higher than 4,000 points since it pooled all his old copyrights. Drawnout argument on. the appeal last week bound over certain other writer appeals for higher' ratings, notably Jack Lawrence and Nick Kenny. PETRILLO EYES PRESS REACTION TO LEA MOVES James C. Pelrillb has winnowed word around country to all locals of American Federation of Musicians that he and exec council are inter- ested in press reaction to his de- fiance of Lea Act. Hence, most lo- cals have snatched up shears and are busy clipping daily newspapers and hustling back to AFM national head- quarters a stream of editorials, car- toons and stories. •For several years Petrillo has been peeved at dailies, frequently launching belligerent remarks to and about the press. Meanwhile, a move ment has mushroomed within AFM I to induce Pelrillo to hire a high- { voltage public relalionist and sizable taff. Many, of the larger locals have own flacks seeking goodwill, but as a body AFM never has gone in for promotion on .a scale com- mensurate wilh its size and status as a labor union. L. A. SYMPH BOOSTED TO $85 IN UNION PACT . . Hollywood, July 21 Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra has inked contract with Local 47 of the. Musicians Union, calling for pay from $70 to $85 per week, putting orch on same wage level as was ob- tained yast year from the Hollywood Bowl Assn. by windjammers.- Season is for 20 weeks, with op- tions for five additional weeks. Stip- ulated is fact that number of mu- sicians may not be reduced. Hollywood, July 2. Recording and transcription com- panies expect ho word on musicians' wage increase demands before mid- October. American Federation of Musicians' prez James C. Petrillo' notified firms in April he wants wages tilted, but as months tick off and no word officially comes forth, it would seem the usual Petrillo strategy of making 'em sweat it out is at work. Execs»of locals, are said to have been informed some time ago of how much wage hike Petrillo will ask of waxeries, but they obviously won't talk. General impression is that double present scale of $30 per man for four sides, providing ses- sion doesn't exceed three hours, will be sought. Meanwhile, most diskeries are cut- ting like mad this summer so they can shelve as many sides as pos- sible before rates go up. ASCAPs 2d Qtr. About $2,000,000 ASCAP's second quarter dividend next week (10) will be around 4he same $2,000,000 figure as with the April 10 melon. Final tally is inde- terminate until the June collections reach the homeoffice around July 5. Understood that May income was about 10% above the same month last year but it has averaged off otherwise. On the other hand the $10,000,000 radio commercial can- cellations haven't as yet made their . mark on ASCAP income; that phase will show up in the third quarter. Even as it stands, that cancellation total represents only around $250,000 to the Society. Present ASCAP divvies figure AA writers collect $20,000 annually, and top publishers collect around $165,- 000 per annum. America's Number 1 Song Stylist MILDRED BAILEY Winner of Esquire Poll NOW—LATIN QUARTER Covington, Ky. Majestic Records Exclusively EXCLUSIVE MANAGEMENT ?0!ATEr BOOKING OR '■'■j i-iii;. /-•.ve , i-Jev.' Yor;< 'i'l Leathernecks Hypoing Marchmen Plea in L.A. Hollywood, July 2. U. S. Marine Cprps has sent S S|Jls Sidney A. McMuilen and Kenneth J. Marshall here to drum up enlistments of musicians to swell widly depleted ranks in Corps' var- ious bands. All manner of induce- ment.-: are being offered .to interest '■ windjammers. including possible ■ ; tours of duly at Eastman School of! | Music, in Rochester. N. Y. Musicians' Local 47 here Is lending the Marine ■ recruiters all possible laid! publicizing drive among its members and advising the sergeants on situation here generally. It is thought the Corps sent the recruiters here, because at present there are more musikers ■ unemployed here- abouts than any. other centralized locality in country.' Of the more than 12.000 card-carriers currently here, but 4,000 regularly are work- ing. Cap. Trans. Into H'wood Music City Building Hollywood, July 2. Capitol Transcriptions has moved into remodelled Music City Building I property owned by parent Capitol I Records. Site has been under re- ; construction for over four months, 1 following Caps purchase of entire structure and ousting of all other tenants. Labor and materials de- lays have forced postponement of occupancy. Cap is now waiting completion of ; paint job and telephone inxtalla- '; tions before gathering in all its scattered operations under one roof. ; Transcription outfit was icebreaker, and others, including Cap Records,- exec offices, etc.. are expected to follow by July 15. Vilo Records, H'wood, Cited by AFM in Payoff Hollywood, July 2. Musicians' Local 47 has posted re- cently established pop-plattery, Vilo Records, for failure to pay musikers used on .first disking made by firm. Four sides were cut, by five-man combo, and scale called for $150 for group. When waxcry, which is operated by Bob Thompson, did not cough up coin within 14 days after session, Local 47 slapped the stigma on it, as is union custom. Top Tunes for Your Books An Ail-Time Favorite DON'T BLAME ME Music by.. . JIMMY MeHVGH Published by ROBB1NS SANTLY-JOY A Beautiful Hawaiian Medley SWEET LEILANI TO YOU SWEETHEART ALOHA SOUTH SEA ISLAND MAGIC