[Tradjazz] Don Robertson, Tom Sharpstein, Frank Orchard, John Gill, etc.

[Bruce McNichols]

THIS IF FROM AN E-MAIL REPLY I MADE TO DON ROBERSTON (of California).

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Hi Don,

Yup.  There's another Don Robertson in our midst.  The first time I sent an e-mail to you, I had intended it for him (as you may recall).  That Don Robertson is a long-time member of the New Jersey Jazz Society.  For many years, he was the editor of Jersey Jazz, their monthly newsletter (and a fine one it is).

Don plays drums in various bands and I get to see him from time to time.  Last year, I was contacted at the last minute, by Jeff Barnhart (the wonderful piano man and leader of the Titan Hot 7 and other groups).  He hired me to play a house party the next day, in Princeton, NJ.  During the gig, I spied none other than Don, who lives across the street.  It was so nice to see somebody I knew, in the crowd.

~~~
MY SIN
In the 1960's, we had Frank Orchard in our band.  He played valve trombone and doubled on banjo.  After a few gigs, he asked if he could sing a tune.  Turns out, he was the best musician/vocalist I've ever heard.  Later he told me that in the 1920's, he attended Julliard, for voice training, while at night, he played in jazz bands.  He got all the right voice training, but it didn't hurt him!

Among other things, Frank had worked with the Condon gang and had recorded with Wingy Manone.

His tune-calls were enlightening and wonderful.  He taught us "True Blue Lu," "Sugar Babe," "Mama Won'tcha Please Come Home," "Glad Rag Doll," and "MY SIN."

Frank died years ago and for more than 15 years I vowed to find the lyrics to My Sin and do it myself.   Then, one day, I heard it on the radio (a beautiful record by Annette Hanshaw).  I hastily scribbled down the words.  Later, I went to add it into my Lyrics Book, only to find that  had it there, all along.  Sheesh!

Somehow, I came upon the recording of it by Tom Sharpsteen.  Even though I'm a Firehouse Five nut, I don't have anything of theirs with Tom in the band.  I have loads of things with George Probert and a few with Clark Mallory.  I think he was the original clarinet guy (and I really liked his playing).

The original recordings of the FH5+2 had Ed Penner on bass sax.  He later played tuba with them.

I never met Probert but I had a long phone conversation with him years ago.  Quite a character, eh?

My band usually does not have a cornet and has trombone playing lead (usually in a brash Ward Kimball style).  Since I play sop sax and since we are a two-beat tuba/banjo band, we are sometimes compared the Firehouse Band.  I never consciously tried to have us sound as they do, but then, since I do love their sound and style, I guess I've gravitated to musicians who play that way.  That's a lot better than trying to make people play in a style that isn't normal for them.

I like the tune "On the Good Ship Lollipop."  Used to do it years ago.  We still play another Shirley Temple tune, The Cod Fish Ball.  We do it in a sort of double-time fashion and it really gets going.

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JOHN GILL
John was still attending college when he first played with us.  He was a drummer who had recently taken up banjo.  As you may know, over the years he's played clarinet, sop sax and even bass sax.  After working with Turk for ten years, he began to play trombone and was very good at it (sounding very much as Turk did).

These days, he's a good Rock-a-Billy guitarist, and vocalist.  His combo is a good one.  John recently moved to Austin.  I hope he finds work there.

His programs for Radio OKOM reveal his early musical influences.  Many folks do not realize that our beloved music actually came out of mountain music or folk music.  It's seems as if an eclectic combination of music has formed our music.  The blues, rhythm & blues, rock n' roll, are all a part of it.

Glad to hear that you also have an interest in Bluegrass and Country music and that you play guitar and fiddle.  Goodferyou.

Didja hear John Gill yodeling on one of those tunes?  And yes "San Antonio Rose" is a good one.  I have it by the Firehouse Five and I love it.  Also by Les Paul.  For some reason, we don't do that tune.  I'll have to change that.

~~~
McN