Bix And Dick

I would strongly recommend people to buy this double-CD set. Not only do you get over 50 tracks of players influenced by Bix, but also two sides by Fred Elizalde (complete with Adrian Rollini) which until very recently were completely unknown -let alone unheard! And there's also the "missing" Okeh side of "Broadway Rose" by Dick McDonough.
I had a very minor involvement in the production of this set, and I'm delighted it is now available.
Quite apart from the musical enjoyment-and there are some VERY rare British tracks here-buy it to help out someone who very much needs it at the moment, and whose own record as a player and writer speaks for itself.

There will be a Benefit Concert for Richard Sudhalter on Friday, Sep 5, 2008 at 6:30 PM in the Paumanok Vineyards, 1074 Main Road, Aquabogue, NY 11931.

The Tribute will feature Marty Grosz and the Destiny's Tots: Scott Robinson (bass sax), Dan Block (clarinet) and Jon-Erik Kellso (trumpet).

Aquabogue is located on the north shore of Eastern Long Island, about 80 miles from Manhattan. For reservations, call (631)722-8800.

I am sure you all know that Richard is a distinguished author, musician, and jazz historian. He was artistic director of "Sunset at the Vineyard."

Richard currently resides at the Mary Manning Walsh Nursing Home in Manhattan, where he is treated for multiple system atrophy. All profits from the concert will go to helping Richard with his medical expenses.

Dick Sudhalter came to the community radio station where I was volunteering in 2002 and did an extended interview with me about Hoagy Carmichael. The program that resulted made me really visualize, for the first time, a career in jazz radio. I continue to be grateful for that and subsequent interviews that Richard did with me over the phone about Bix and Indiana jazz. Thanks so much for the heads-up on this anthology, Doug; I'll be ordering it. Dick Hyman has a new Bix tribute out as well.

(Mr. Johnson hosts "Night Lights" on Indiana Public Radio: http://nightlights.blogs.wfiu.org/ -- DR)

Thanks to info. on this issue circulated by the indefatigable Enrico Borsetti of Rome (Italy), I have just ordered a copy of this CD from Nick Dellow. I had the honour to play at a benefit for Richard Sudhalter, organised by Keith Nichols, at the 100 Club in London, some time ago. I even got to play just one gig with Richard himself, along with his old 'mates' John R.T. Davies, Jim Shephard and Neville Skrimshire. This was in London, quite a few years ago. Unfortunately, the piano player did not show up, so Dick Sudhalter played piano instead of cornet; yet another of his talents - if a little-known one!

I'm sure I speak on behalf of us all when I say we send our best and warmest wishes to Richard at this time

Norman.

I probably have all of the US items, but I certainly want to hear the European stuff. It will be good to have everything gathered in a 2 CD set.

I'm certainly impressed that Nick Dellow has gone to all this trouble on behalf of Richard Sudhalter. I have just emailed Dellow to order the CDs.

I recall Brian Rust some 30 - 40 years ago calling attention to the sudden, dramatic influence Bix had on Sterling Bose. Bose, up from New Orleans, had replaced Wingy Manonne on recordings of the Arcadian Serenaders, and was playing in the white New Orleans style. Then Bose heard Bix with Frank Trumbauer at St Louis' Arcadian Ballroom, and his subsequent records has Bix phrasing in his ensemble work.

I will be interested in seeing the critical assessments in the booklets with the CDs.

-----------GILBERT M. ERSKINE