Happy New Year everyone. 2010 was a good year for our Jazz Society and I expect 2011 to be even better and more fun. We’ll be starting off January, as we have done for so many years, with Uptown Lowdown. We’ll also have another 100 CD’s from Curt’s collection.

January is also the time to start thinking of who to send to Jazz Camp Heebie Jeebies. As many of you know, Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society pays the tuition to Jazz Camp for young students who are serious about their music. The dates for Jazz Camp 2011 are July 3rd thru the 9th. The camp is located at Lake Crescent on the Olympia Peninsula, which is about 35 miles west of Port Angeles. It’s a beautiful spot and perfect for the camping and musical experience in every respect.

The only age limit is that the youngest students must be at least 12 and the oldest so far has been 76. My first year as President we sent one student. Each year we have increased the number and I expect to send at least six students this summer. The tuition per student is $550 for the week. We pay these tuitions with the proceeds from the raffle ticket sales each month. The growth both seen and heard in the students is amazing considering the number of days of instruction and practice. The faculty is top drawer and Karla West the director runs the camp like a fine tuned machine. But with lots of fun involved.

You can find all the information about camp online at www.campheebiejeebies.us. You will also find an application for each student to fill out. If you know of someone (child, grandchild ...) who would enjoy and benefit from this great opportunity – just fill out the application and mail it to me at 5226 236th Pl S.E. Issaquah, WA 98020. If you’d like to talk with me about camp by all means give me a call, 425-890-6605. This will be my fifth year as a volunteer at camp and I love to talk about it. Or ask me about it at our Sunday Jazz.

Cheers, Judy

Not many musical groups playing the classic jazz of the period between World Wars One and Two are still going strong into a fourth decade of adherence to its faithful style, but that’s the case with cornetist Bert Barr’s Uptown Lowdown Jazz Band.

The septet has continued to land top-drawer bookings at festivals, cruises, recording dates and special events ever since Barr organized the band in the early 1970s. It’s been playing a steady gig each January for the members and guests of the Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society for many years and this year is no exception.

Uptown’s musicians are all well-known to aficionados of this genre of American popular music (sometimes referred to as “Dixieland” though Barr and his fans rarely use the term.)

His lineup of sidemen includes Tom Jacobus (trombone); Paul Woltz and Andy Hall (reeds); RoseMarie Barr (piano); Paul Hagglund (tuba); Al LaTourette (banjo).

They play mostly a repertoire of tunes they know so well that there is a minimum of referring to arranged passages. Their “book” includes a combination of early blues and ragtime, plus music related to such legends of jazz as Jellyroll Morton, Turk Murphy, Fletcher Henderson, King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke and many others. It also delves into the arena of 1930s “swing.”

Come, one and all, to hear our “old reliable” purveyors of truly TRADITIONAL jazz.

WHERE: Ballard Elks Lodge, 6411 Seaview Ave. NW, Seattle (Snacks, coffee, etc. available. Plenty of FREE parking. Excellent dance floor.) TIME: 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. - Sunday, January 16th ADMISSION: $10 P S T J S MEMBERS; $13 (Invited Guests) - Pay only at door INFO CONTACT: Carol Rippey, 425-776-5072 - or website: www.pstjs.org

January 2011 Volume 36, Number 01

... Notes from the Prez ...

Lost and Found:

There was a 2-tone silver earring found at the November concert. The owner should leave a message at 425-776-7816

“UPTOWN LOWDOWN JAZZ BAND”

Now going into Fourth Decade

OPENS TRAD JAZZ SOCIETY’S 2011 MONTHLY CONCERT SERIES JAN. 16

By Rod Belcher

Jazz Soundings January 2011 Page 2

Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society

19031 Ocean AvenueEdmonds, WA 98020-2344

425-776-5072www.pstjs.org

EVENTSElks Lodge, Ballard, 6411 Seaview Ave N.W., Seattle

UPCOMING EVENTSFebruary 20 holotradbandMarch 20 Grand Dominion Jazz BandApril 17 Hume StreetMay 15 Black Swan Jazz BandJune 19 Ain’t No Heaven Seven

LEADERSHIP PRESIDENT: Judy Levy jazzdancer2@msn.com 425-890-6605VICE PRESIDENT: George Swinford grs-pms@comcast.net 425-869-2780SECRETARY: Cilla Trush paultrush@yahoo.com 206-363-9174TREASURER: Gloria Kristovich gkristo@live.com 425-776-7816 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dave Brown: jazzstrings@comcast.net 253-752-6525Colin Dearing: captcolin@juno.com 206-937-5476Joanne Hargrave shorejo1@comcast.net 206-550-4664Leroy Johnson: moldyfig33@msn.com 206-772-4378Jan Lemmon djlemmon@msn.com 425-778-9763Edmund Lewin: 360-297-6633Ian McKenna: i.mckenna@frontier.com 425-771-5479 George Oelrich: goelrich@comcast.net 360-793-0836 Carol Rippey: trianglejazz@comcast.net 425-776-5072

MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Carol Rippey: trianglejazz@comcast.net 425-776-5072

EDITORAnita LaFranchi: jazzeditor@mindspring.com 206-522-7691

Gigs for Local BandsCASEY MacGILL’s BLUE 4 TRIOSundays, 5:30 - 8:30 Tutta Bella Pizzeria 4411 Stoneway N 206-633-3800Wednesdays, 8-11. Pink Door Restaurant & Lounge 1919 Post Alley (Pike Market) 206-443-3241FIRST THURSDAY BAND1st Thurs of each month, 7 - 10 p.m., New Orleans Restaurant, 114 1st Ave S., Seattle, WAGLENN CRYTZER’s SYNCOPATORS1st Sunday of the Month 9:30-12:30 Century Ballroom 915 East Pine (2nd Floor) 206-324-7263Third Wednesday of the Month (same as above)GRAND DOMINIONJan 2 - 15, Jazz Sea Cruise - Panama Canalholotradband Tuesdays, 7 - 10 p.m., New Orleans Restaurant, 114 1st Ave S., Seattle, WANEW ORLEANS JAZZ QUINTETMondays 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. New Orleans Restaurant, 114 1st Ave S., SeattlePEARL DJANGOJan 4, 7:30 pm Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave., Seattle, WA 206 441-9729Jan 14, 7 pm Collective Visions Gallery, 331 Pacific Ave, Bremerton, WA 360 377-8327UPTOWN LOWDOWN JBJan 9, 1:30 - 5 pm, Olympia Jazz Socitety, Olympia Elks Uptown “Lite” Jan 16, 12:30 - 4:40 pm, Puget Sound Trad. Jazz Socitety, Ballard Elks

On Your Dial........Saturday10 a.m. Gospel Jazz, Ted Reed KARI 550 AM.7 - 12 p.m. Swing Years and beyond KUOW 94.9 FMSunday3 -6 p.m. Art of Jazz, Ken Wiley, KPLU 88.5 FM

SUBSCRIBE TODAYNews You Can Use About Traditional Jazz and Ragtime

U.S. One Year: $26 -:- Canadian $39 U.S. Funds*U.S. Two Years: $48 -:- Canadian $74 U.S. Funds*

(*) Includes Airmail DeliveryMake check payable to: The American Rag

20137 Skyline Ranch Dr., Apple Valley, CA 92308-5035Phone/Fax: 760-247-5145

Name ________________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________

City ____________________________________________ State ___________

Phone ______________________________ Zip + 4 ______________________

Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society

JAZZ SOUNDINGSPublished monthly except July and August by the Puget Sound Tradi-tional Jazz Society.Anita LaFranchi, editor, jazzeditor@mindspring.comAds must be submitted in a jpeg or (PDF format) Payment in advance to: Gloria Kristovich, P.O. Box 373, Edmonds, WA 98020-0373

Advertising Rates:Full page $100. 7 1/2” wide by 9 1/2 “ tallHalf Page $60. 7 1/2” wide by 4 1/4 “ tall Quarter Page $40. 3 5/8 Wide by 4 1/4 “ tall

Deadline is the 10th of the month for the next months issue

234th ARMY BAND BLACK SWAN BLUE STREET JAZZ BAND CORNET CHOP SUEY HIGH SIERRA IVORY & GOLD NO INHIBITIONS SOUTH BURGUNDY STREET JAZZ BAND TITAN HOT SEVEN TOM RIGNEY & FLAMBEAU UPTOWN LOWDOWN WALLY’S WAREHOUSE WAIFS

BOB DRAGA, Guest Artist

OREGON DIXIELAND JUBILIEE Presented by Lighthouse Jazz Society

February 25 thru 27, 2011

SEASIDE, OREGON

Five venues: three at the Convention Center and one each at the

Best Western Oceanview and Seaside Elks.

Call 1-888-306-2326 for housing info. More information at www.jazzseaside.com or

1-866-345-6257.

Jazz Soundings January 2011 Page 3

Jazz Soundings January 2011 Page 4

They Called it Jazz Zutty Singleton - The Heartbeat of Jazz

By Hal Smith

Recently, jazz pianist Ray Skjelbred was listening to the 1941 recording of “The Last Time I Saw Chicago” by The Three Deuces, with clarinetist Pee Wee Russell, pianist Joe Sullivan and drummer Zutty Singleton. As Singleton launched into an accented press roll behind Russell’s wailing clarinet, Skjelbred virtually pointed his finger at Singleton and declared, “That guy’s a genius!” A majority of drummers, other instrumentalists and listeners agree!

Arthur James Singleton was born in Bunkie, Louisiana on May 14, 1898. His lifelong nickname was bestowed upon him as an infant. (“Zutty” is Creole for “cute”). He began drumming at an early age and played professionally with the legendary New Orleans pianist Steve Lewis. During this time Singleton became one of the first drummers in New Orleans to play brushes extensively.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War I, then returned to New Orleans. In the early ’20s he joined the orchestra of Fate Marable, and went to work on the Streckfus riverboats. With Marable, he gained another nickname: “Face.” In years to come, Singleton addressed most acquaintances in this way, and they returned the compliment!

The riverboat work eventually took Singleton to St. Louis, where he joined the orchestra led by cornetist Charlie Creath. After hours, he played sessions with Bix Beiderbecke, Frank Trumbauer and a St. Louis musician who would become a lifelong friend and associate— Pee Wee Russell. In the Gateway City, Singleton also met his soon-to-be bride, Marjorie Creath (Charlie’s sister).

In 1925, the Singletons relocated to Chicago, to take advantage of that city’s thriving musical scene. Zutty soon fell in with an old acquaintance, Louis Armstrong, and the two New Orleanians maintained a busy schedule playing dances, shows, clubs and recordings. The drummer played briefly with Doc Cook and his Orchestra and put in a longer stint with a trio led by clarinetist Jimmie Noone. One night during the trio engagement, Noone reportedly turned to Singleton and asked him to take a drum solo. Years later, describing the drum solos to author Martin Williams, Singleton recalled humming the melody to himself, marking off the internal four- and eight-bar phrases and ending the solo exactly at 12, 16 or 32 bars, depending on the song.

Zutty’s playing inspired many younger Chicago drummers. Dave Tough picked up his accented press rolls. George Wettling borrowed some of his unique snare drum patterns. Sid Catlett was deeply influenced by the melodic solos, using the entire drum set. In 1938, Gene Krupa played many of Singleton’s tom-tom rhythms on one of the most famous drum features of all time — “Sing, Sing, Sing,” At the end of his solo, Krupa also appropriated

Zutty’s four strokes on the cowbell to cue the orchestra back in!In the late ’20s, Singleton recorded a number of classic sides with

Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines. He used an unusual percussion device called “bock- a-da-bock cymbals” on “Sugar Foot Strut” and “Monday Date” while other recordings demonstrated his mastery with brushes and his strong pulse on the bass drum.

In 1929, Armstrong and Singleton went to New York. A session from July of that year produced one of the best recordings ever made by Louis or Zutty — “That Rhythm Man.” The incandescent trumpet and vocal and the swinging drums are nonpareil.

The two New Orleanians parted company, though Singleton stayed

on for awhile in New York. Between 1929 and 1932, his drumming was heard on a number of classic records, including a trio date with Jelly Roll Morton and Barney Bigard and the spectacular “Rhythmakers” sides featuring Henry Red Allen, Pee Wee Russell, Joe Sullivan, Eddie Condon, Pops Foster and others.

Zutty returned to Chicago, working as a sideman and sometimes leading his own groups. He continued to record memorable sides, such as those with Charles LaVere, Banjo Ikey Robinson and Roy Eldridge.

When a steady engagement with Eldridge ended in 1937, Singleton once again decided to try his luck in New York. The second time was a charm. He was soon working regularly at Nick’s in Greenwich Village, then at Jimmy Ryan’s on 52nd Street. He also spent a considerable amount of time in recording studios, with Lionel Hampton, Jelly Roll Morton, Mezz Mezzrow, Art Hodes, Sidney Bechet, Pee Wee Russell and others. Singleton’s 1940 record of “King Porter Stomp” (with his own band) was one of the most rhythmically intense sides of that particular year. The only other record from 1940 that could possibly match it was Bud Freeman’s “Prince of Wails” with Dave Tough’s fiery cymbals relentlessly driving the band.

However, the recordings that show Zutty Singleton at his best were the “Three Deuces” sides, made for Commodore in 1941. The band name celebrated a musicians’ hangout in Chicago and reunited three musical comrades who formed a mutual admiration society — Pee Wee Russell (clarinet), Joe Sullivan (piano) and “Face” on drums. These records really tell the Zutty Singleton story — swinging press rolls and snare drum fills, explosive rimshots, propulsive ride cymbal, hypnotic tom-tom rhythms, melodic solos and judicious use of woodblock, cowbell (and ratchet)! Russell and Sullivan were clearly enjoying every quarter note of the superb drumming. Listeners who have a soul will feel the same inspiration when they hear these desert island recordings.

the first televised jazz concert, with a band led by Eddie Condon. In 1943, he took time off from his busy schedule in New York City to make a trip to Hollywood. There he appeared onscreen and was heard on the soundtrack of the film “Stormy Weather,” playing with a combo led by his old friend Fats Waller.

Despite the fact that the onscreen action was “synched” to a prerecorded soundtrack, it is a joy to watch Zutty work his musical wonders during an uptempo passage on “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” (Waller also recorded a number called “Moppin’ and Boppin,” which featured a drum solo, but it was not included on the soundtrack. Thankfully, it was later released by RCA Victor).

After a brief return to New York, Zutty and Marge headed west to Los Angeles. During his long residency in Southern California, Singleton played with an astonishing roster of musicians, including Kid Ory, the Firehouse Five Plus Two, the Bobcats, Slim and Slam, Albert Nicholas, James P. Johnson, Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie! Zutty’s incredible musical instinct allowed him to play just the right thing in each musical situation, whether playing a rideout chorus over a fire siren, or following the complex playing of

A year later, Singleton took part in Parker and Gillespie. He was heard on Orson Welles’ broadcasts featuring the Kid Ory band, “Lamplighter” broadcasts with Bob Crosby’s Bob Cats, seen onscreen

Continued next page

Zutty Continued from page 4

Dues for 12 months: Single $25 Couple $40 Lifetime single $200 Lifetime Couple $350Patron $500 (One or two lifetime membership)Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

The Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to the performance and preservation of traditional jazz. Your membership and contributions are tax-deductible. Thank you.

Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society19031 Ocean Ave., Edmonds, WA 98020-2344

Please (enroll) (renew) (me) (us) as a member or members

NameAddress City, StateZip Code E-Mail Phone Check when renewing if your address label is correct

Jazz Soundings January 2011 Page 5

in “New Orleans” (with Armstrong, Ory and Billie Holiday), “Love that Brute” (with Eddie Miller) and on the “Dixieland Jamboree” TV series with Nappy Lamare. He recorded with the Capitol Jazzmen, Barney Bigard, Wingy Manone and Kay Starr and appeared at the very first traditional jazz festival — the “Dixieland Jubilee” in Los Angeles.

The Singletons eventually returned to New York, this time permanently. In 1951, Zutty went to Paris with a band led by Mezz Mezzrow. Though the band experienced a number of musical and personal problems, “Face” received a hero’s welcome from French jazz fans who were well aware of his distinguished musical background.

Back in New York, he worked briefly with Roy Eldridge, then played a long stint in a trio with clarinetist Tony Parenti and pianist Dick Wellstood at the Metropole. When Jimmy Ryan’s moved to a new location, Zutty led the band. He continued to record, with Sidney Bechet and Lil Armstrong, Dick Wellstood and Tony Parenti, Henry Red Allen, the DeParis Brothers and more. And despite the traditionally-oriented recordings he made, Singleton enjoyed hearing contemporary musicians such as Thelonious Monk.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s he appeared at the Manassas Jazz Festival in Virginia. A number of the sessions were recorded and issued by Festival Director Johnson McRee, including a two-volume set from 1967 of “Zutty and the Clarinet Kings.” This set contains one of Singleton’s best melodic solos — a clear statement of the melody on “Chinatown, My Chinatown,” which should be required listening for any drummer who expresses an interest in soloing! He also played several unaccompanied solos for the French- produced film “L’Aventue Du Jazz.”

After suffering a stroke in 1970, he retired from music and passed away in New York City on July 14, 1975. Pianist Jess Stacy once remarked that Singleton’s drumming “was a foundation on which wonders could be built.” Zutty Singleton’s recordings, and comments from those who heard him in person, confirm Stacy’s assessment. His drumming was the heartbeat of jazz.

New Orleans Quintet Monday 6:30 - 9:30holotradband Tuesdays 7:00 - 10:00 p,First Thursday Band Every first ThursdayHam Carson Quintet Thursdays 7 - 10 pm

AIN’T NO HEAVEN SEVEN Leader: Terry Rogersterryrrogers@comcast.net 206-465-6601CASEY MacGILL’s BLUE 4 TRIOContact: Mike Daugherty bookingb4t@blue4trio.com 206-832-5372 www.blue4trio.comCOAL CREEK JAZZ BAND Leader: Arny Robbins206-499-2719 arnybr@aol.comCOMBO DE LUXE Bookings: Candace Brownwww.combodeluxe.net jazzstrings@comcast.net253-752-6525CORNUCOPIA CONCERT BAND Leader: Allan Rustadwww.comband.org 425-744-4575DR. D AND THE DIXIE DOGS Leader: Ansgar DuemchenGermanbrass@yahoo.com www.dr-d-dixiedogs.com425-337-1740DUKES OF DABOB Bookings: Ernie Landes360-437-9588DUWAMISH JAZZ BAND Bookings: Carol Johnstoncarolanjo@yahoo.com 206-932-7632FIRST THURSDAY BAND Leader: Ray Skjelbred,Rayskjelbred@gmail.com 206-420-8535FOGGY BOTTOM JAZZ BAND Leader: Bruce Cosacchiwww.foggybottomjazz.com 360-638-2074GRAND DOMINION JAZZ BAND Bookings: Bob Pellandbobpelland@gdjb.com 360-387-2500 holotradband Leader: Dave Holowww.holotradband.com 253-875-6932

HOT CLUB SANDWICH Contact: James Schneiderwww.hotclubsandwich.com 206-561-1137HUME STREET PRESERVATION JAZZ BANDBookings: Karla West 406-862-3814JAZZ UNLIMITED BAND Leader: Duane Wrightduane.janw@verizon.net 866-337-2111JAZZ STRINGS Bookings: Candace Brownjazzstrings@comcast.net 253-752-6525LOUISIANA JOYMAKERS! Leader: Leigh Smithsmithtunes@shaw.ca 604-294-9464MIGHTY APHRODITE Co-leaders: Bria Skonberg,Claire McKennamightyaphroditejazz@hotmail.com 405-613-0568NEW ORLEANS QUINTET Leader: Dave Holowww.neworleansquintet.com 253-875-6932NO INHIBITIONS JAZZ BAND bfl@atjzzmsn.com 360-981-7412 www.noinhibitionsjazz.comRAINIER JAZZ BAND Manager: Randy Kellerrandykeller@msn.com 206-782-1521RAY SKJELBREDRayskjelbred@gmail.com 206-420-8535RONNIE PIERCE JAZZ ENSEMBLEronniepiercemusic@yahoo.com, 206-467-9365UPTOWN LOWDOWN JAZZ BAND Leader: Bert Barruljb@yahoo.com 425-898-4288WILD CARDS JAZZ Leader: Randy Kellerrandykeller@msn.com 206-782-1521

BANDS, CONTACTS

Puget SoundTraditional Jazz Society19031 Ocean Ave.Edmonds, WA 98020-2344

Address service requested

Non-profit OrgU..S. Postage

PaidSeattle, WAPermit 1375

Your invitation