Los Angeles Times sportswriter Jerry Crowe’s column makes much of the dual careers of Carmen Fanzone. The former Chicgo Cubs utility infielder is also a trumpet player. Here is a section of the column:
The Detroit native played in parts of five major league seasons with the Cubs and Boston Red Sox from 1970 to 1974, batting .224 with 20 home runs and 94 runs batted in.
Among his infrequent highlights, he homered in his first National League at-bat after being traded from the Red Sox in December 1970 and later, against Ken Forsch and the Houston Astros, he hit two home runs in a nationally televised game.
In addition, he occasionally brought out his trumpet to perform the national anthem before Cubs games.
“I had my moments,” he says.
To read all of Crowe’s article, go here. The columnist managed to get through the whole piece without so much as a mention that for decades Fanzone has been married to Sue Raney, one of the most accomplished singers of her generation. Here they are—he in his Fourth of July shirt—at the 2009 Baseball Reliquary awards in Pasadena, California.
Fanzone solos on a track of this Sue Raney album. It’s worth mentioning.
The nonagenarian pianist presented de Barros with every biographer’s hope, unrestricted access to his subject’s personal papers and nearly unrestricted access to her private thoughts. He made the most of it, turning exhaustive research and hundreds of hours of interviews into a true story with the sweep of a novel. From the early discovery of McPartland’s musical gift through her wartime service, her ecstatic and stormy marriage to Jimmy McPartland, her growth as a pianist, her deep affair with Joe Morello, and the radio show that made her a national figure, she has had a fascinating life. It makes a splendid read.
Mulligan’s Concert Jazz Band had three fewer musicians than most big jazz outfits. Its size permitted precision, flexibility and subtlety, yet the band had the power of sprung steel. In this concert from a half century ago, the CJB is as fresh as yesterday. Arrangements by Mulligan, Bob Brookmeyer, Al Cohn and Johnny Mandel set standards to which big band writers still aspire. Bassist Buddy Clark and drummer Mel Lewis inspired Mulligan, Brookmeyer, Conte Candoli, Gene Quill and Zoot Sims to some of the best soloing of their careers. This beautifully produced issue of the complete concert is a basic repertoire item.
great article!
Gee, jazz and baseball — two favourite things… Remember the New England trumpeter Lou Columbo? He was in the Dodgers organization when an ankle injury ended his athletic career. Nice trumpeter, played a lot with guys like Dave McKenna and Dick Johnson. Still around, I hope….
More jazz in baseball (or vice-versa?): Sue Raney did a lovely version of Dave Frishberg’s “Van Lingle Mungo,” the name (really!) of a star submarine-ball pitcher for the (then) Brooklyn Dodgers in the late 1930s. The lyric for the former tune consists mostly — and the lyric for the latter tune consists entirely — of ballplayers’ names. I have Sue’s 10-inch vinyl of “Dodger Blue.” The LA Dodgers gifted them to fans at a Chavez Ravine game one summer in the early 1970s..
For an illustrated video of Frishberg singing and playing “Van Lingle Mungo,” go here. The track is from his 1991 CD Dave Frishberg Classics, which also includes him performing “Dodger Blue.” Frishberg’s original version of “Van Lingle Mungo” was on his 1969 debut album on the CTI label, a vinyl LP called Oklahoma Toad. It has never been reissued in the US on CD, although it popped up briefly as a Japanese import. Copies of the LP are sometimes available on web site record outlets. You might try this one.
It’s not like owning it, but it’s on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAKHV6mUUaU
I really enjoyed Mr. Crowe’s comment! I had the honor and pleasure of meeting and getting to know Carmen Fanzone in 2010. I wish I could have met him sooner in my life. I had a 31 year law enforcement career. I worked with and met many people from presidents of the USA to guys drinking from brown bags on the streets. Many were very nice and many weren’t. I had the opportunity to see Carmen perform in a club one time. Simply terrific! I can only say with all sincerity. Baseball or not. Music or not. Carmen Fanzone is one of the “best” people I have ever met and come to know. He is the real “deal” and I am blessed to have his friendship. I wish the very best for Carmen and Sue.
As said in one of the posts above, Carmen is the “real deal;” yes, I know.
We were roomates at Central Michigan Univ., plus music playing and drinking buds — great times!
Hope he sees this and goes to my new vid at almost anywhere online (COTF), but I think he might never see this. Cha Cha
WOW, such soft, gentle and full-noted tones — full voiced — not at all nasal or squeaky! Someone else may have been called the “Velvet Fog,” but Sue is the real-deal female version and ALL her OWN!!!!
Stumbled on her Amazon.com samples tonight and was once again HIGHLY impressed. Keep on keeping on, Sue.
PS Would LOVE to hear your version of Jo Stafford’s “You Belong To Me.” Have you done that???? (Personal favorite.)