Plainsong: Mea Culpa: I must apologize for a major screwup. In my November column, I reprinted what I thought was Al Rose's entire poem in tribute to our Canadian correspondent, bandleader and trombonist Brian Towers. To my embarrassment, Rose informed me that about half the poem was missing. Why? Because I somehow neglected to turn the page of Rose's book, Butterflies in Winter, and thus missed the remainder of the poem. I hereby apologize to Al Rose, to Brian Towers and to you faithful readers, and I suggest (again) you acquire Rose's book to get in their entireties the Towers poem and Rose's other works, including a memorial to Kid Bastien: www.batteredbox.com or gav@cablerocket.com or arose@rogers.com.

And now, the news: The Nov. 4 U.S. election had special meaning to Woodbury, Minn., news blogger Dick Bernard: "The election of Barack Obama reminded me of the first time I ever saw a black man up close. It was mid-September 1957, in Carrington, a small town in central North Dakota. Louis Armstrong and his group had come to town and I went to the concert with my girlfriend. It was an awesome evening. I still have the program from that evening, autographed by Louis and three other members of his group: Edmond Hall, Billy Kyle, and Squire Gersh. Velma Middleton, Trummy Young and Barrett Deems were the others in the band. Even though Carrington was just a small town, with an audience sitting in metal folding chairs in a National Guard building, Louis and his group gave a great performance. I imagine that Louis Armstrong is pleased with what happened on Nov. 4 -- that all the pain and tribulation he suffered were worthwhile."

Update from Lila Ammons: Minnesota-based vocalist Lila Ammons, granddaughter of the great boogie woogie pianist Albert Ammons and niece of famed tenor saxophonist Gene "Jug" Ammons (both deceased), having concluded her celebration tour of Albert Ammon's 100th birth anniversary, remains busy. Her recent e-mail informed us, "The centennial concert in Chicago was a success. We had an audience of about 450 and players from all over the world. Since that time, I've been singing in Europe at various festivals, some as part of the centennial year 2007, but in 2008, I was invited to tour with the great Axel Zwingenberger in my own right. We've been touring Europe and this summer recorded our first CD. It should be in stores by January 2009. I will then be in Europe again to continue our tour. We are specializing in classic blues of the 1920s-1930s sung by singers such as `Sippie Wallace, Gladys Bentley, Julia Lee, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Amos Milburn, Georgia White, et al. Our tour in the summer of '08 was a successful one. I'm still singing straight-ahead jazz in town (Twin Cities of St. Paul-Minneapolis, Minn.) when I'm here."

She is scheduled at Crave at Galleria, Edina, Minn. Dec. 12th with Laura Caviani's trio and at the Dakota County Steakhouse, Burnsville, Minn. Dec. 20 "with my `Sisters in Song', Dorothy Doring and Vicky Mountain." More info from lkalegacy@msn.com.

Gypsy Jazz in Our Soul: Sam Miltich and the Clearwater Hot Club, Grand Rapids, Minn., who helped put Minnesota on the map as a citadel of "gypsy jazz," held a party at the Artist's Quarter, St. Paul Nov. 30 for the release of their latest CD, Just You, Just Me. The band's fans undoubtedly were surprised if not shocked to find veteran Minnesota modernist Dave Karr on tenor and Sam Miltich playing electric guitar in this formerly acoustic band. But it all works out very well on seven standards. Sam plays lead guitar; his father, Matthew Miltich, is on bass and sings, and Mark Kreitzer plays rhythm guitar.

In a news release, Sam Miltich says, "Listening to the recordings of Lester Young (a former Minnesotan), Charlie Christian and Benny Goodman was a great source of inspiration for this project. The first time I met Dave Karr, we talked about Lester Young, and he said, 'Hey, man, you're speakin' my language.' When I decided to do this project, I knew Dave was the man for the job." Add this CD to the band's growing and outstanding ouvre; www.clearwaterhotclub.com; sammilitch@gmail.com; pat_court@yahoo.com.

Rick Grafing reports that Ragtime Rick's Second Edition has opened on the ground floor of the Commercial Bldg., 301 River Rd., Maumee, Ohio (Toleldo area.) The schedule includes Ragtime Rick on piano with banjoist Wes Linenkugel on Thursdays; the Cakewalkin' Jass Band (no longer at Murphy's) on Fridays and Ragtime Rick and Banjo Betsy on Saturdays. Details from rick@ragtimerick.com.

At Grafton, Wis., Bill Sargent's Trad-Jazz Rousers will do a benefit Dec. 16 at and for the Grafton High School music department. "You'll hear songs from the streets of New Orleans and traditional jazz favorites made famous by such artists as Louis Armstrong and Pete Fountain," Sargent promises. New Year's Eve Sargent's big band will be at Milwaukee's Italian Community Center. Bill Sargent Bands are marking their 25th anniversary and Sargent is celebrating his 40th as a professional drummer. Congratulations and best wishes. Check www.BillSargentBands.com or (414) 777-0100 for current news.

December 2008 issue | © 2008 The Mississippi Rag

P.O. Box 19068, Minneapolis, MN 55419.