I duly reported back to Pete enclosing a transcript of my talk which he seemed to like and, in response, sent me a tape of the Blue Wisp Big Band which was based in Cincinnatti and is still going strong in that city although founder member/leader drummer John Von Ohlen has since passed on as I'm sure have many of the players on the tape.
I remembered Von Ohlen from seeing him driving the Herman Herd at Newcastle's City Hall.
The tape comprises two albums - Live at Carmelo's and Butterfly. Both stand up alongside any of the other big bands then and now. Precision section work and modern, for the time, soloists. Nica's Dream.
Pete Webb is no longer with us but I treasure my copies of "The Newspepper" that, along with Pete's accompanying letters, used to turn up regularly through my mailbox.
Lance
Jim Sherrick, Mike Andres (alto sax); Herb Aronoff, Joe Gaudio (tenor sax); Larry Dickson (bari sax); Don Johnson, Kevin Moore, Larry Wiseman, Al Kiger, Tim Hagans (trumpets); Bill Gemmer, Gary Langhorst, Paul Piller, Clarence Pawn (trombones); Steve Schmidt (piano); Lynn Seaton (bass); John Von Ohlen (drums).
PS: Getting back to Pete and the APS, Alan Barnes was playing at the Corner House and I mentioned that he'd been doing an Art Pepper tribute gig organised by Pete. I asked Alan if Pete had insisted that he, Alan, played numbers associated with Art?
"Oh yes" replied Alan, "I did everything Pete asked apart from wearing Art's underpants!"
PPS: I note, from my files that northeast members of the APS included Peter Bevan, Dave Brownlow and a D.Wilson from Hebburn. Mr Wilson must surely be the guy who buys DownBeat from my local newsagent. If this is you, please get in touch.
2 comments :
I do remember my membership of The Art Pepper Society under Tabasco Pete. He had some wacky ideas as I recall - he wanted me to set up a franchise to sell Art's records here in the North.
He also wanted me to join him in setting up some sort of commune in Spain for all Art Pepper fans where Art's music would play all day and we would drink wine......he may mistakenly have thought I could contribute funds to the idea .....!
Hi Lance, thank you for the great post. And thanks Dave for the comment. I am the grandson of "Tobasco" Pete Webb! :)
Your memories, including references to the Newspepper, wacky ideas and the dream of a Spanish commune led to knowing and bittersweet smiles from me and my Mum.
I Googled "Tobasco Pete" this evening after looking through and playing some of his (heavily annotated!) record collection which I am fortunate enough to have with me here in Copenhagen, Denmark (which in normal times has a strong jazz scene).
Sadly Pete passed away suddenly and unexpectedly from a heart attack in January 1997. I was only 11, but I have precious and vivid memories of him listening to Art Pepper, as well as him telling me about his regular chats with Art's wife Laurie and joys of running the Art Pepper Society.
It really is a tragedy he left us just before the internet, email, message boards, video calls and YouTube/Spotify etc really took off - he would have been in his element!!
Thank you again for remembering Tobasco Pete and his love of jazz and the jazz community.
I'd be happy for you to reach out to me at kanelimbrick@gmail.com if you have any further memories / questions or if you ever find yourself in Copenhagen.
Best wishes,
Kane
Post a Comment