Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 August 1956 — Page 13

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The Indianapolis Recorder, Aug. 4,1956-13

What's Rock 'N' Roll-lts Effect On The Nation's Youth? Musical Upbeat

By BOB WOMACK

ELDRIDGE MORRISON the to sport a large interracial oronly sepia bandleader in the city chestra consisting of 8 brass, 5 reeds, 5 rhythm and the lovely voice of Helen Logan must be in the^ know, to book such a large group of this kind. Only the “big names” do tnis. If I am not mistaken, "El” was the first musician to start a mixed crew here back In the 40s. Featuring at that time, many of the cats who are now on the *big time today’ including the sensational Jay Jay Johnson, trombone, who incidentally is one of the staff arrangers for Eldridge’s unit along with Gigs Gryce, Herb Gordy, Dave Baker and the boss himself. The “rep* of this fine hardpushing organization is built upon ensemble work with solos being the only exception. The design is primarily to appear to the dancing public. You will find the melodies ever present with simple pretty variations. The vocal b a c kgrounds are a complimentary support to the beautiful contralto voice of Miss Logan. This young lady, at one time, was featured with the famed “Wings Over Jordon Choir,” has sung with manj leading combos over the country including Jimmie Coe and others. “EL” holds cards in the Elk’s Lodge No. 104, 'Masons and what not, this cat will go a long way in the musical world. The band will invade the following cities starting the 11th of next month namely: Toledo, Ohio; Louisville, Ky.; Ft. Wayne, Ind., and returning here on August 24 to play at the West Lake Ballroom . . . This will be the first time in many a moon that race talent has been featured there . . . Good deal, my friend . . . Keep the good work. up. WILLIS KIRK and his combo are playing weekends at the Pioneer Club. I understand that the unit is very well liked by all who hear them. Count Fisher and his trio are now at the Terminal Bar, gigging six nights a week. On the bill with them are the popular “Masters” formerly known as the “Counts,” singing r e c o r ding stars of “Darling Dear” and other hits over the nation . . . Lanny Price and combo have moved to the ’39 Club, located on West Ohio street near Illinois . . . Johnson Collins, popular bandleader who made a name for himself at the Topper Night Club is currently on vacation in Chicago and elsewhere over the country . . . Lucky boy . . . Believe me when I tell you . . . Tee Green, trumpet sensation is now blowing in many of the jam sessions around the city. JOHNNY RAY, whose contract calls for him to make one picture a year for 20th Century Pox, may do “The Best Things In Life Are Free.” The film name is taken from the song title “The Best Things In Life Are Free," and is a biopic of song writers DeSylva, Brown and Henderson. Johnny Rays last picture was “There’s No Business Like Show Business.” . . The casting of entertainer £ay Thompson as a fashion consultant in the film “Funny Face,” marks the completion of some sort Of a cycle in this versatile lady’s career. She had been writing and staging musical numbers for the movies for years before she decided to become a night club entertainer. After conquering the World of the saloon, she began looking for new fields of endeavor and wrote a best selling book, M Eloise.” Still not content, she Wrote and recorded a song version of th-e book on Cadence label and thus became a recording artist. So, now she’s back in the qiovies, but this time as an actress. So far she has given no indication that she wifi take up lion-taming, interplanetary flying or become a lady wrestler. After all, you can’t do everythip®. ‘ SURE HIT? . . . Convinced it has a sure hit song in “To Love Again,” which is heard 15 times on tyie Tyrone Power-Kim Novak starer, “The Eddy Duchin Story,” Columbia Pictures has assigned recording rights to Capitol for Les Baxter; Decca for The Four Aces; and Columbia for Vic Damone. The melody of “To Love Again” is based on Chopin’s Nocturne in B Flat, with lyrics by Ned Washington, adaptation by studio music director Morris Stoloff and George Sidney, who directed “The Eddy Duchin Story.” OUT OF ONE POCKET . . . Frank Sinatra has a very good reason for being glad his “Songs For Swinging Lovers” show was so well received at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. He’s a stockholder. His recent engagement there was as a replacement for Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, so that the team could fulfill picture commitments. Presumably Sinatra had no trouble agreeing with the management on contract terms . . . Paramount Studios expects to release a film version of Joe E.

Lewis’s life titled “The Joker is •Vild.” Frank Sinatra will star in he picture as well as share in he production chores with Mr. .ewis, Art Cohn and Charles Vidor, .’ohn wrote the bio EDITOR'S NOTE: The following dory originally appeared in the Jhicago Daily News . . . American jazz is fast becoming one of Uncle Sam’s most effective ambassadors n the Soviet satellite nations. It’s o effective that most of the Comnunist governments ban it on the jxeuse that it’s “decadent” a western disease” and “contribites to hooliganism.” The exception s Poland. The Communist bosses here reversed themselves recenty. They decided that “the buildng of Socialism proceeds more ightly and rhythmically to the .ccompaniment of jazz.” Radio v’arsaw, according, gives forth •egularly now with recordings by lenny- Goodman, Duke Ellington nd Andre Kostelanetz. Elsewhere in the satellites, how- ✓ wer, the people have to tune in he free world If they want to hear ny hot licks. A science student who recently escaped to the west rom Budapest, Hungary, said, we listened to jazz late at night ver Radio Free Europe |in the ommon room of the university. ’ T am not an admirer of most icdern music,” said another refge, this one from Czechoslovaia, “but somehow I like the jazz >roadcasts from the west." This nan happened to be 71 years old. THE APPEAL of American jazz seems to be universal. It eiosses boundaries of age anc! ationality. And it has an exira -ppeal in the satellite nations beause it’s hard to. get. So great i he demand, men actually have isked their lives to smuggle American recording behind the ron Cur.ain. Radio Free Europe, an American anti-Communist organization broadcasting from Westrn Germany, long has recognized he value of jazz as a means of ustaining the traditional ties beween America and the satellites nd as an expression of the free American spirit. FOUR YEARS AGO when increased transmitter power enabled t to expand its broadcasts it began sending American music to Czechjslovakia, Poland and Hungary. R October of this year it added Julgaria to its schedule. These broadcasts have been -especially effective in recent weeks when 7ount Basie, Louis (Satchmo) Armstrong, Woody Herman and others have been packing the concert houses in Western Europe. Although they themselves have not been able to go behind the Iron Curtain, their concerts have been sent through by RFE by means of on-the-spot recording and backstage interviews. American jazz is proving particularly persuasive as a means of catching the ear of young listeners. An RFE official at the organization’s New York headquarters puts it this way— “Jazz is an answer. Youth gravit? ates toward it. We have learned that by making friends witht them through music, they want to hear what we have to say about freedom.” IN ENDING. THE ‘BEAT’ SAYS TO DIG THE OPINIONS OF OTHER ENTERTAINERS WITH REGARD TO “ROCK N’ ROLL MUSIC”’AND IT’S EFFECT ON THE NATION’S YOUTH, FOUND ELSEWHERE IN THE PAPER.

ELDRIDGE MORRISON— . The public will buy anything that sounds good.”

HARVEY FRENCH— , “Music itself not reason for riots.”

LARRY LIGGETT— . “Originated in Africa”

JIMMIE COLLINS—

‘Has.same beat; old blues rhythms.”

DUD STORMS— . Not here to stay.’

JIMMY COE “Pure music is here to stay.”

Local Bandleaders GiveTheir Version Of Teenagers No. 1 Musical Problem

By BOB WOMACK

The new racy, bouncy, simpler and upbeat style of NE-

GRO MUSIC which is fast sweeping the nation from Coast 10 Coast, North, South and some foreign countries, has become more and more ifiviting to the ears and feet of our youth more so,-than the popular cool-out-of-this-world sounds of progressive jazz music of yesterday’s including ,e-bop which is just about gone as far as the music loving Jublic is concerned. This new type of music has caused jnilions of bobby-soxers to switch to this hotter tempo of what

This new type of music „ . „ . . . ... • i* • j i go into a musical madness which

;Hows more individual free- f nc iudes riots, etc. as stated in dorn when dancing, has a ter- newspapers around the country, ittc firm beat which makes Believe that if intoxicating lione want to move with the d nia 6 whI? a ISL f !? n J !

.... i ,. c th« young people who make it a

epetltious melodies. Some habit to attend these affairs, there ans, seem to think that rock would be less trouble. As you know, n’ roll does something to dope is more available now than

Tiany of the teenagers caus- ever -” ng them to riot following cantrell

concerts over the nation.

For example

MITZS, young

bandleader “likes rock ‘n’ roll very well, why, because the younger

Recently on generation goes for the musical

an excursion vessel at Buffalo b f at in a bi 8 wa y ; An y g rou P wbo n u m erous fights erupted Sc Tl Me aToi^

among the 2,600 passengers money.”

on board. Witnesses said that many of the older people, members of the organization

ELDRIDGE MORRISON, leader of the only big interracial band in the city, sporting 18 top-flight

u . , , . a., cats had this to say. “The public which sponsored the trip did will buy anything that sounds most of the fighting among good to them; likes the beat, bethemselves, not so much so. heves that the teenagers are movthe teenagers, while an or- ed , by .‘f ® strong emotional apf \ i » u P^al which is based on nothin chestra played rock n roll bu j rhythm. However personally

rhythms

Your guess is he is not much for the ‘rock’, likes

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to this situation.

as good as mine with regards a11 standard music. Also adds, that all rock ‘n* roll is ba.yed on 2/4

rhythm, the same as Lionel Hamp-

th^ now ton and his orchestra played in

the 40s and who are currently

However recently in

famous southern city of Birming-

ham, Ala., the interracial “Big- playing the same today. ftanir^Bil^Ha^ev white f/ar^of .HARVEY FRENCH,' three time the show was picketed outside the piu ne o r n°baHtone C sax e h^ 0 ?^^ siowTa's appearing 1 oTT one" think th*at it is music niter by members Sf the WhUe its * lf that causes riots but is the Citizens^ eSuncif but young rock Wrtmg attitude on the part of VroH fans DromDtlv Jicketed the some of the dancegoars, then too, uicke ers As voTnn doubt hive many older folk are behind a lot read In 8 your dafiv newsDaoers of the trouble started at rock ‘ n ’ ltdU 111 yuur Udliy newspapers, rn ,i fonpae ” FVeneh nn In TV rd ne 0 w V s e - r pro h ^a r m d s° Here fn^thU soy that " The ™ usic as far as 1 same city and auditoHum, back in ar " n “! lcerned ' is nice and a Sood

June, singer Nat "King” Cole and inin8 -

sensational musician was attacked LARRY

during a concert by members of

this council

REASON GIVEN for this at- rhvfhm . tack were—That Cole is a rock- °S g !!!^ ed

LIGGETT, currently

appearing with his combo at Mate’s White Front Bar, “Rock ‘n roll had its origin where most works of hm originated — DARKEST

•n - mii cinrmr- AFRICA. It was revolutionized by •ilso thev as mimhei iVfhi White the slav ' es . whose only form of cftirenT Coimed we,/ eoine o culture was areatlva bita ot ban all Siirh rnLin thn words and music; for their only southland due to it’s effect it had ^ 1 T ec J'[; atl ° n and . P 16306 on the people-mostly Negroes. f t {, y sSffeii?d dShiPS We 31 Frankly, being a bandleader my- fu self I can’t eo alone with thi* ,. U bas alw ays been with us m council’s “Lemon.” During a quick u i l S f l iH Se, Ia Spi^ ^: tU ^ 1S, R agtime t Dix * Recorder Theatrical Dept, survey !vi dn h d al/^ a u , B< i P and n0W cl the following bandleaders and a *h- S< L. me * entertainers we quote them with v J[ b, ? n we tbink regard to their different ooinions r ^. c iPi® n fs, their average age, etc. pertaining to the big musical s I >eecb * iccijp of tnH'iv *xt* • ■pm t • m °vement of body, the nrsny mgJIMMIE NICKS one of N»p"S f*™ experiencing w o r ,dly “All-Time” musleians thinlrc rnnlr we, of the swing

‘n’roll in itself doesn't affect the teenagers in a way to make them

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All-Time” musicians thinkc met we, ui me swing era can n’rnll in itspif understand why rock ‘n’ roll has

swept the country and parts of

the world.

“Young people and grown up people never lose the feeling of assertion. They never lose the desire to “pop-off.” What other way is easier to do these things with and by than Rock ‘n’ Roll Music. Then too, we must consider the commercial point of view, the selling power. It does sell and money seems to be by far, the only motivating feature to every business. Rock ‘n’ Roll is here to stay because it has always been with us.” JOHNNIE HARRIS, drums and singing sensation with his Brass Rail Tavern Trio featuring Fred Monroe on tenor sax states that "Rock ‘n’ roll is* just as good as any other music, makes the musicians play harder. As to the riots, laid at the feet of the teenagers it has no effect on them whereas, to make them fight, etc., believe that the parents are responsible for the actions of their children. “In their early life the older people should have more interest, paid and explained the facts of

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life to them. Then too, many teenagers are jealous of each other especially when one has more money, clothes and finer chicks than the others attending Rock ‘n’ roll dances. As you know, many girls (teenagers) help to start much of the trouble at these affairs, including the boys also.” JIMMIE COLLINS, 88’er—‘The Negroes were playing rock ‘n’ roll music over 40 years ago which, at that time, was called the blues,” also had the same beat as we hear today in the rock ‘n’ roll rhythms. The white man picked up on this old type of race music and is making much money with it under oi.other name which we know as ROCK ‘N’ ROLL. Even the Hill Billy units are playing it. Many of the church numbers are patterning after this three chord music changes. “This music has no effect on teenagers as far as, the fights are concerned, many of them have problems at home so they, the youth go around carrying chips on their shoulders looking for trouble whether at dances or not.” MORRIS GLOVER, bass-man recent of Montgomery, Ala., now making his home here told this v/riter: “ ‘Rock Music’ is a lower type of jazz in fact, lower than the standard jazz music which was played in the days when Paul’ ui.eman was known as the “King of Jazz. He went on to say, the modern day teenager has pulled away from the finer arts of music when some of them picked rock ‘n’ roll; believes that if the youth continue tlikfir interest in this type of music, modern jazz will suffer a set back. Morris doesn’t go along with the program that the bouncy, loud exuberant music is the pied piper to juvenile delinquency. DUD STORMS, much talked about leader of a very fine musical unit locally and over the state, informs yours truly, “he likes all types of music whether old or new; would wail for the public in the event, they requested it. Also states that rock ‘n’ roll will not be around much longer because of the changes of time, the musical minded public are always in the market for something new including tunes, rhythms, entertainers and the like.” WILLIS “MR. HAMMOND” DYERS, “There is nothing new under the sun. rock ‘n’ roll and rhythm and blues is just a label given that vein of music, that was written years ago. Promoters and recording studios have found the field to be very lucrative. So with finance; careful planning, fan clubs (teenagers) and disc jockeys, they have pushed this music to a very good paying proposition. Music tells a story and is based around our lives and our great American way of living. “Personally, I would rather play music that has color and beautiful chord structure but to the type of audiences, that we come in contact with (when I say we, I mean the big three Harold Gooch, Glenn Douglass and Earl “Fox” Walker) it doesn’t ring the bell. We always study our audiences and watch -their reactions. That within itself is a deciding factor of what to play. “Music affects people different ways. It relaxes, disturbs, upsets and brings back pleasant and unpleasant memories . . . TEE GREEN, trumpet sensation, believes that rock ‘n’ roll is like many types of music that have been before the public in the past, it is either accepted or rejected by the public. We have found that most teenagers go for rock ‘n’ roll just as they did bebop; will still push it for a long time to come until something else ne wcomes along.” . WTiile theatrical editors, disc jockeys, parents, some teenagers, musicians, church folk and the general public as a whole, look for an explanation to this new international problem facing them today in the musical world, the youngsters merrily rock along. BANDLEADER JIMMY COE— "Each teenage group from generation to generation have their different crazes, such as the Char-

%

W;:M

EDITOR'S NOTE. Because of the controversy spreading across the country about "Rock 'N' Rcil" music, Bob Womack (shov/n above), conductor of the weekly column, "Musical Upbeat," has interviewed several local musicians in order to present a timely resume' on the subject. The Recorder presents his finding as a Public Service.

P

WILMS DYER-

Rock ’N’ Roll nothin’ new.*

Tab Smith's Band At Sunset Sat. Nite With 1st. 200 Tickets At $1.00

Tab Smith, his sax—and his orchestra, will play a dance engagement at the Sunset dancery on Saturday nite, August 4. This will mark the first appearance of the popular sax-man in this territory in many months, and a large crowd is expected . Tab and his aggregation will offer such oldies as “On The Sunny Side of the Street,” “Tab’s Purple Heart,” etc. The group will also give out with such tunes as “Because of You,” “Milk Train,” “Hands Across the Table,” “Dee-

Jay Special,” “Mother’s Eyes,” “Under a Blanket of Blue,” and his latest recording of “T. G. Blues” and “Spider Web.” Tables will be FREE on this nite and liquors and beer will be served at popular prices. No person under 21 will be permitted to this dance, because of the liquor laws.

The 1st 200 tickets are now on sale at the Sunset Cafe at $1.00. Admission at the door is $2.00. Dancing is from 9 till 1 a. m. COMING: Special Cocktail Parties will be held next rriday and Saturday. Tickets are on sale at 35 cents with 3 for $1.00. Be sure and attend these affairs.

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^ - JOHNNIE HARRIS— . . . “Make musicians play harder; believe parents responsible for juvenile delinquency.”

leston age, the Blackbottom age, the Jazz age, the Be-bop, and now the Rock ‘N’ Roll. Regardless of the craze, pure music, by that is meant standard music, is here to stay. Others voice relative opinions” For food printing in a hurry*’ phone The Indianapolis Kecorde* Printing Co.. ME. 4-1545. You will Dteafl^d and pro««* of tho> work For good printing “In a nnrrr ohone The Indianapolis Kecordet Printing Co- ME. 4-1545. Yon wit be pleased a** proud or the wor»

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