Odds 'n Ends

Jack Bowers

Senior Contributor since 1997

A former newspaper writer / editor who has been writing about big-band Jazz for more than fifteen years.

Recent articles (1,749 total)

Published: February 6, 2006

A memorial concert will be held February 12 from noon to 8 p.m. at the Musician's Union in Los Angeles for the great valve trombonist Bob Enevoldsen who died last November 19 at age 85. A partial list of performers includes the Bill Holman and Steve Huffsteter big bands, the Dick Hafer band, the David Angel Saxtet, Roger Neumann, Dave Koonse, Joel Hamilton and Dave Tull, with many others expected to take part. I've been a fan of Enevoldsen's since the '50s, when he was an integral part of the vibrant West Coast scene, and saw him perform with various big bands in recent years (he was playing almost to the end of his life). For more about Bob's career, we'll turn things over to Doug Ramsey, who writes: "Enevoldsen was a superb arranger and orchestrator and, when the occasion arose, an effective and congenial leader. He was best known for his valve trombone and in greatest demand on that horn, but he was also a tenor saxophonist with original ideas and a fetching graininess in his tone. He left a fifty-year trail of memorable performances and recordings with Holman, Gerry Mulligan, Shelly Manne, Shorty Rogers, Bob Florence, Bob Crosby, Tex Beneke, Mel Tormé, the Lighthouse All-Stars, Henry Mancini and Terry Gibbs, to name a few in the wide range of musicians who insisted on his services. A burly man, after he worked up a crop of facial hair and took on some age he came to resemble St. Nicholas with a neatly trimmed beard. Enevoldsen was hampered the past several years by the circulation problems that led to his death, but he kept working. His daughter drove him to rehearsals and gigs and helped him onto the bandstand. Bill Holman told me . . . that Enevoldsen's physical problems disappeared once the band started playing. 'When it was time for him to solo,' Holman said, 'the years fell away.' Bob Enevoldsen: never a star, never a household name, always a pleasure to hear; gone at age eighty-five. Rest in peace, Bob. You earned it.

Got a note from pianist Roberto Magris in Italy letting me know that his debut vinyl album Comunicazione Sonora — Gruppo Jazz Marca, recorded in 1981 when he was a 22-year-old newcomer, has been reissued on CD in the UK on the Arision label, and another from Hazel Leach, co-leader of the United Women's Orchestra, saying that the group's CDs are up and running on iTunes, Napster, Virgin and HMV. Of course, I promised to pass along the information for the benefit of anyone who might be interested. Roberto also sent me an advance copy of his recent recording with guest artist Herb Geller, which he hopes will be released on Soul Note. It's a terrific session, Herb is marvelous as usual, and let's hope the CD may soon see the light of day.

And that's it for now. Until next time, keep swingin'!

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