emband wrote:
Not to hijack this great tread, but "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You" and circular breathing reminded me of a story told to me by Buddy.

He told me that Dorsey usually played 4 to 5 sets of dances, every night, and the tour went for about 3 to 4 months at a time with about a week off in between.

Buddy said Tommy never practiced or warmed up. The "band boy" would set his trombone up, take it out on to the band stand, and Tommy would never touch it 'till the down beat of the theme.
They opened and closed each set with "I'm Getting Sentimental", so that's total of 8 every night, and all the while Buddy was with Tommy, he said he never heard him miss a note on that tune.
(also Tommy never took a breath for the first 16 bars of the melody, no "circular breathing.........)

He also told me bunch of Sinatra stories, but that may be a bit "adult" for a public forum like this one.

Another great stories came from his time with Harry James. Buddy said Harry also never practiced or warmed up.
Harry had steak (done medium rare) and bottle of dry red wine every night before the show,
(Maynard, being a big fan of Harry's since his childhood, also had steak often before his show.)

Harry used to go back in to the trumpet section a lot to double the lead line, and when he did, he would completely bury the band,
But his sound was never "loud" or "edgy", just so fat and full that he projected like nobody.
If you check Harry out on videos, you will notice that he is always standing really really far way from the microphone.

Buddy said he never played with any other trumpeter that could match his drums, as far as the energy and volume.


Eric
Eric,

Tony Scodwell has told me some of the exact same things about Harry. And, over the years I've heard a few Harry James stories that really aren't for public forum as well.

I know that in years past Maynard liked a good steak and wine for a meal before the shows. When I was out he wasn't drinking at all, and the red meat ... very seldom, as in I can recal two times. One, in Porterville, CA (Serafin remembers) Boss had been hoggin' down on some BBQ ribs and made very short work of a white t-shirt. And then again in LA at the tribute to Stan Kenton and Woody Herman. That was a small NY strip.

Severin,

Great seeing you again! I hope we can hang again sooner than later ... great swapping stories

Mikey,

Great seeing you as always. That's a great new mouthpiece you have!!! Our best to the Mrs. and we hope she's feeling better soon.

3Star ...

Umm ... I only see Bill playing from the back, so I can't tell. I can tell you he is an extremely efficient player, never fracks a note, and he's a first class gentleman and band leader.

All the best to you guys!

Michael Manthey