David Ostwald's Gully Low Jazz Band (a/k/a the Louis Armstrong Centennial Band) is in its eighth year at Birdland, 315 West 44th Street in the heart of New York City's theater district, every Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. It's a great venue, with a quiet policy, of all things. As Ostwald says, "Can you imagine a banjo/tuba band in that setting, and at Birdland, bebop's birthplace, to boot? Last week we celebrated Joe Muranyi's 80th birthday, and besides Joe, our regulars include Jon-Erik Kellso, Ed Polcer, Anat Cohen, Wycliffe Gordon, Vincent Gardner, Dion Tucker, Howard Alden, James Chirillo, Kevin Dorn and surprise guests."

Ostwald is a modest fellow who doesn't mention that he knows so much about Louis Armstrong that he was one of the speakers at a past SatchmoFest in New Orleans.

As mentioned last month, trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso, guitarist Matt Munisteri and the EarRegulars play 8-11 p.m. every Sunday night at the Ear Inn, 326 Spring St. between Washington and Greenwich Streets, New York City. There's no cover charge, always a plus, special guests such as Howard Alden pop in to join the group, and casual attire is the norm. Kellso says that the food is "delicious, inexpensive and belly-warming." There's no doubt that any band led by Kellso serves up hot jazz. Details from www.earinn.com or (212) 226.9060.

In Upstate New York on Feb. 3, Skip Parsons' Riverboat Jazz Band played jazz and spirituals for a 10 a.m. Mardi Gras Mass at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 10 N. Main Ave, Albany. Immediately after the Mass, the band led the congregation to the recreation room for treats and coffee, where the New Orleans jazz continued until noon. Lots of beads and Mardi Gras trivia kept the New Orleans feeling alive.. Parsons' band is still playing the second weekend of every month at the Fountain Restaurant at 283 New Scotland Ave., Albany, N.Y. This is a continuing gig that dates back to 1971 -- quite an impressive stint. Reservations are recommended. Just call (518) 482-9898.

The New Jersey Jazz Society's 39th Annual Pee Wee Stomp will be held March 2, presenting five bands for a noon to 5 p.m. event at the Birchwood Manor (111 North Jefferson Road in Whippany, N.J. 07981), just off Route 10 or Interstate 287. Ask for directions if you haven't been there before or log onto www.mapquest.com for directions.

Appearing will be the Scholarship Winners Ensemble (all-stars from several NJ colleges), the Smith Street Society Jazz Band, a star-studded band led by trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso's, vocalist Barbara Rosene's popular group, and George Gee's Jump, Jivin' Wailers Swing Orchestra.

Further details are available online at www.njjs.org.

There will be more good jazz on March 10 when cornetist John Bucher will lead the band celebrating the Big Bix Beiderbecke Birthday Bash on Bix's actual birthday. The band includes Marty Grosz, Dan Block, Tom Artin, Mark Shane, Robbie Scott and Russ Whitman. The event will be held at The Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum, Morristown, N.J. Check www.morrismuseum.org/static/bickford/jazz.html or Bruce Gast at (908) 755-5037, tekhouse@aol.com for info.

Clarinetist Joe Licari has been busy in the recording studio. Last year, he recorded Coast to Coast with Dick Voigt, and this year, he's released another CD with a quartet. Licari is an in-demand musician in the New York/New Jersey area for good reason -- his playing is warm-toned and memorable. For details on his recordings, contact him at jazzreeds1@netzero.com.

News has come via Dan Levinson and Dan Summers about the death of Harry O. Brunn, a resident of Amherst, N.Y., and author of The Story of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, , the well known and often quoted history of the first band to record jazz. Brunn died in the Buffalo V.A. Medical Center on Jan. 7, 2008, after a short illness. An artist, musician, writer and WWII veteran, he would have turned 89 on Jan. 16..

According to a comprehensive obituary written by Summers, Brunn had an eclectic life, passing exams at age 15 for an amateur radio station license, appearing onstage in musicals and comedy routines, serving in the Army Signal Corps during WWII and graduating from the University of Buffalo Albright Art School after his discharge from the Army. He worked for 27 years as a writer for technical publications, public relations and advertising, and also led a dixieland band.

After publication of his ODJB book, Brunn resigned in 1960 from his position with Boeing as Presentation Manager for the Minute Man Missile Project so he could promote his book at jazz clubs and festivals in England, Norway and Denmark. He also toured with England's Original Darktown Syncopators, which played in the ODJB style. The band toured in England, then toured the U.S., playing successful gigs in Buffalo, Cleveland, Syracuse, Monticello and Philadelphia.

Back in the business world from 1963-1975, Brunn was manager of tech publications at Sierra Research, then worked as a consultant after retiring from that company. According to Summers, Brunn played trombone in the New Charleston Chasers band, based in Niagra Falls, from 1969-72.

Brunn's connection to reedman Dan Levinson began in the 1980s when Levinson developed the Roof Garden Jass Band to replicate the ODJB. Brunn attended a 1992 concert given by the band in New York City and contributed liner notes for the band's CD saluting the ODJB.

Writes Summers, "Continuing family tradition as an auto buff, Harry prized a 1937 Cord convertible after WWII. Later, [on] trips to New Orleans to interview jazz pioneers, [he wore] a white suit and drove a Jaguar XK120 Roadster." Brunn's interest in classic cars continued throughout his life, and he wrote a history of his family's carriage and custom auto body businesses which was published in 2005. Expansions on ODJB history were also compiled, according to Summers.

Survivors include brothers William and James Brunn.

During the absence of columnist David French, jazz and ragtime news in the New York/New Jersey area may be sent to editor@mississippirag.com

February 2008 issue | © 2008 The Mississippi Rag

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