15-Dec-1997 -- Peter L. writes:

My question to you is, What ever happened to Rufe Davis? He played guitar for Gene Krupa and was in the movie "Rhythm Romance" (originally called "Some Like It Hot," 1939), then he did a ''soundie'' in 1943, and he also did the movie "George White Scandals" (1945) .But after that .......ZIP, nothing. What else did he do? Please help!!!

Peter, it does seem that Rufe Davis left the music business in the mid- to late-1940s - there seem to be no available records of him either recording or performing as a guitarist or anything else, either as a leader or as a sideman, other than the work you already mention. HOWEVER, Rufe did not completely disappear from the entertainment industry - he continued to be active as an actor and from 1963 through 1968, for example, he played the character of Floyd Smoot, who engineered The Cannonball locomotive on the television sitcom "Petticoat Junction." Thanks for your interest in "AAJ," Peter.

15-Dec-1997 -- JSM writes:

My question about Wes Montgomery is: I know he had children, and I wondered if any of them had gone into music? My question about Monette Sudler (I don't know if I'm spelling her name right) is if she made any other albums other than "Time For A Change"? Thanks, I enjoy your web site and your newsletter.

First question, first answer: Wes Montgomery had seven children, but, unlike his brothers Buddy and Monk, none of them seem to have made any impact as a musician. As for singer / guitarist Sudler, she appeared as a sideman - sideperson, perhaps, or supporting musician - on Sunny Murray's album "Hard Cores" (1968), and on Khan Jamal's album "Don't Take No" (1989). Her own albums as a leader include 'Time For A Change" (1995), "Live In Europe" (1978) and "Brighter Days For You" (1977). All her own albums should still be available from Steeplechase Records.

01-Dec-1997 -- S. Daniels writes:

Hello. I'm trying to find the song name and artist for the following lyrics: "They say I a reefer toker, every word they say is true." I think it might (oddly enough) be called the Reefer Song. I appreciate any help. thanks.

Boy, you wouldn't believe some of the things we stumbled into (and over) researching the correct response to your question, Seth.

Oddly enough, there seem to be more than a few songs composed in celebration of reefer; about a dozen go all the way back to predate World War II. Most of these are documented on the very cool website, Reefer Songs, which provides links to several... interesting compilations of blues, jump-swing and jazz material on this subject.

The lyrics you provided suggest you most likely heard a blues, so: A tail-whippin' piano blues with immensely dark and powerful male vocals was probably Champion Jack Dupree, but an more uptempo and sassy piano number was most likely Fats Waller instead. Jump-swing bandleaders Cab Calloway and Stuff Smith also recorded some relatively popular reefer madness, too.

Hope this helps your... um, research.

22-Nov-1997 -- Erika Van Der Laan (Holland) writes:

I don't know if you remember me, but I asked you about a certain record from Red Nichols called "Hot Pennies." I just wanted to let you know that because of your pointers, I've found the album in Florida - USA. With a little bit of luck I will have it before Christmas. Thanks very much!!!!!!

15-Oct-1997 -- Bill Dulyk writes:

I just discovered your website. It is one of the most complete jazz sites I have found. I have unsuccessfully searched all over the web trying to locate information about Mosaic releases (I am specifically interested in a Buck Clayton set). Any idea how I can find information about Mosaic releases? Thanks.

Bill, you can reach this excellent company by calling 203-327-7111.

08-Oct-1997 -- Ben White of The Jazz Rascals writes:

I'm e-mailing you from a link in an article you wrote about Joel Dorn in "All About Jazz." I enjoyed the article and thought perhaps you might be able to help. I'm trying to contact Leon Redbone (his management, agent, him personally, whatever). I am a member of a traditional jazz group, have formed an indie label and am working hard to make it all work. If you could provide me any information in this regard, it would certainly help me.

I invite you to drop by our website at:
http://www.kwic.com/~jazzrascals
and this will let you know who and what we are all about. Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.

Ben and Other Jazz Rascals, on 23 October Mr. Redbone will be performing at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, Massachusetts, which you can contact at (413) 584-0610. Also contact the management company Concerted Efforts, which is somehow involved in this performance (whether they promote Mr. Redbone or this venue isn't clear at the moment), at (617) 969 - 0810.

18-Sept-1997 -- Joe A. Medlin writes:

Can you tell me where I can (if I can) find a transcription of Harry Connick Jr.'s "Walking in a Winter Wonderland." If not, the chord progressions in it? Thanks!

Joe, as October turns into November, this is the time of year that you should be able to find the music to "Wonderland" at just about any music store that sells sheet music; most places will usually special-order holiday music, too.

A transcription of Connick's particular "Wonderland" arrangement will be pretty difficult to pin down. You should probably start by looking into those play-along cassette tape, book and CD companies that you can find in the classified sections of most serious music magazines (and some not-so-serious ones, too).

Finally, we'd love to turn this one over to our more musically-inclined "AAJ" readers too. Can anyone thus talented help out Joe A. Medlin with these chord progressions?

17-Sept-1997 -- Albert Bifarelli writes:

Does anyone participating in this Web-site have any personal information, anecdotes, and/or insights regarding the late, great tenor man - George "Babe" Russin?

While living in south Florida in the late '70's early '80's, I befriended this lovely, charming and gracious gentleman. Subsequent to my relocation, sadly, I lost complete contact with this beautiful soul.

Fortuitously, he became a mentor to me concerning all things musical, in the realm of America's only truly original and living artform - Jazz! Your cogent remarks would go a considerable distance in removing any sentiments of melancholy, that continue to chaperon the memory of this erstwhile musician.

Albert, your respect and affection for Mr. Russin are evident from the eloquence and graciousness of your letter. Born in Pittsburgh in 1911, Babe played with some of best big bands of the 1930s, led by the likes of Tommy Dorsey, Red Nichols and Benny Goodman, and he appeared in the film versions of both "The Glenn Miller Story" (in 1953) and "The Benny Goodman Story" (1955). Mr. Russin passed away in 1984.

If any "AAJ" readers (maybe fans of the swing era, or fans from Pittsburgh and Florida?) are able to assist him, please contact Mr. Bifarelli.

14-Sept-1997 -- Erika Van Der Laan writes:

Hi, I have a question regarding Red Nichols. He made an album "The Hot Pennies," number T775 which came out at Capitol T Records. I have been searching for a long time for this album now (LP or CD does not matter). Can you tell me if I can get it and if yes where? Thanks in advance.

Despite (or perhaps because of) your excellent taste, Erika, you are probably going to have to resort to a private dealer / collector to find Nichols' "Hot Pennies" in ANY format. I'd begin with an internet search using phrases like "rare jazz" or "rare vinyl" or "1920s jazz" and so on. Just like our new friend Joe A. Medlin, you might also consider investigating some record collectors / dealers who advertise in music magazines, and keep your eye out for record and jazz conventions. Even if these people don't have it, a lot of them will keep your name and address and look for it for you. Don't get discouraged, but this might be tough to find. Good luck with this one!

14-Sept-1997 -- Robert Killip writes:

About a year ago I read a (rumour?) that Sony were planning to release a box set of Miles' recordings from his late 60s / early 70s period. Is this true, or if not, do they have plans to release the albums such as Big Fun which are only available as expensive Japanese imports? I would appreciate any inside info you may have.

Robert, though not all of Davis' releases from this period of smoldering and experimental electric funk seem consistently available on CD -- such as the aforementioned "Big Fun" -- at least several of them are available pretty readily. These include the epic "Live: Evil," which includes Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Billy Cobham, Jack DeJohnette, Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin and Ron Carter and more, "Live at Fillmore" and the finger-poppin' "On The Corner" and "Tribute to Jack Johnson" (your Editor's personal favorite). Just like Davis' music from this turbulent period, there doesn't seem to be one general rule you can apply to fit them all.

28-Aug-1997 -- Piers Lomax writes:

Newly immersed in the world of Jazz, I found myself breathless upon hearing a track on the television one evening. I believe it was called "If You Only Knew" and was played by a trumpet led quartet. I was wondering if you might be able to tell me who it was by, and if there was an album I could purchase with that track on it.

Piers, welcome to the wonderful world of jazz! This was a really tough question, as there seem to be a few different compositions with this title, but you most likely heard a track from one of the two following new releases:

Telarc has recently released a live album A Tribute To Oscar Peterson -- Live At Town Hall. Among the guest artists paying tribute to this wonderful pianist are trumpet players Clark Terry and Roy Hargrove, and "If You Only Knew" is one of the featured compositions. Mr. Peterson has a wonderful way with a ballad. Or, you might have heard the latest release by Delfeayo Marsalis, Musashi on Evidence Music. Though no trumpet player appears on this album, Marsalis' trombone playing is quite lovely as the lead instrument on a song titled "If You Only Knew." You might have only thought the band was being led by a trumpet, while it could have instead been Marsalis' trombone. Isn't this fun?

As far as purchasing one (or both) of these, please visit our friends at CD UNIVERSE: Musashi by Delfeayo Marsalis or Live at Town Hall by Oscar Peterson

And, again, welcome to the club!

16-Aug-1997 -- B. Goren writes:

I am looking for a Jaki Byard CD which I don't know it's name. In this CD Byard plays the music of Nino Rota. Thank you in advance.

B., this is one of the more interesting requests we've seen at "AAJ."

The release to which you are most likely referring is Amarcord Nino Rota - A Tribute To Fellini, Rota's own compilation of his scores for such famous Fellini films as "La Dolce Vita" and "Satyricon" (Rota's score for Francis Ford Copolla's "The Godfather" won an Academy Award). On this Tribute, Rota's scores are interpreted by such premier jazz musicians as Ron Carter, Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Steve Lacy and Mr. Byard.

16-Aug-1997 -- Jim Smith follows up with:

With reference to the CD, Amarcord Nino Rota, this was issued in Europe on the HANNIBAL RECORDS label, the number is HNCD 9301. I hope this will be of some use, I have this at home and it is an interesting idea with both highs and lows, but probably not an essential item for your collection.

05-Aug-1997 -- Jim Watkinson writes:

Sorry to bother you, but do you have an email (or any other) address for Bill Crow? He's a bassist (I remember him with Gerry Mulligan in the '50s) and put together a book published by Oxford a few years back. He also writes a column for the Local 802 paper. Thank you, and thank you for your Web presence.

Thanks for writing "AAJ," Jim. Doing some research in response to your letter, we also discovered that Bill Crow performed with the likes of Stan Getz, Al Cohn and Zoot Sims, and Benny Goodman. You and other fans of Mr. Crow can reach him at: cmpx68a@prodigy.com.