KL-8
JEAN GOLDKETTE - 1938 Reunion Party
In 1938, Jean Goldkette & his wife took a trip to Hollywood. When he arrived, party was thrown in
his honor, and attended by several ex-members of Goldkette's Victor Orchestra. Paul Mertz did
jazz history a great favor by recording some of this party on a record cutting machine. By the time
Paul made a transfer of this record for Phil Evans in 1959, the record was in pretty rough shape. It
cleaned up quite well, although there is a "whoosh" sound that comes in on occasion. After an
introduction, the guests sit around and tell stories about Bix, the "missing" Goldkette trunk full
arrangements, the Howdy Quicksell stories are the best, Don Murray, Eddie King and many others.
Every fan of Jean Goldkette and Bix Beiderbecke should have this one. No music, just a great time!
ALSO INCLUDED - Paul Mertz recorded two versions of "In A Mist" in 1959. The first one
is a duet with Mertz and a flute player. Wonderful flute player, and it's an interesting concept.
Paul plays the piano sections with a real Bix touch! The second version of "In A MIst" features a
vocal on the slow passage, with lyrics written by Paul Mertz! The vocalist is a real pro. Mertz and
the flute player also team up for a version of "Candlelights". Paul Mertz wrote a haunting piece
that he called "BALLAD FOR BIX". He recorded this number with an string orchestra, and used a
saxophone for the lead. He wasn't sure if there was a cornet player that could produce the sound
to do justice to Bix. The sax player gives it an almost Tram-like quality, and the melody stays with
you long after the song has ended!
AND A RARE TREAT! - Also in 1959, Spiegle Willcox brought along his brand new tape
recorder to the country club he was playing at the time. He wanted to make a tape for Phil Evans,
and recorded part of the evening with the band he was playing with in those days.
They play a few Dixieland tunes, but Spiegle really shines on "On The Alamo" and "Ja-Da".
Hearing that wonderful sound of his again reminds me of how much we all miss him. He was 54
years old when he made this recording, and kept going for another 42 years! While putting this CD
together, I started to think of my favorite stories about Spiegle to include here. I then then realized
that all of them were my favorite stories. Spiegle was a joy to be around and a great inspiration to
countless musicians and jazz fans alike.
Women everywhere adored Spiegle. I can remember beautiful young women hanging on to his
every word at the end of a set, leaving me to feel like a wire coat hanger in Joan Crawford's closet!
He told me that, as long as you have good health, getting older is a ball! He then on to say, "You
know something kiddo? I can go up to the most beautiful woman that I see, and can say the most
disgusting thing I can think of. And do you know what? They think I'm CUTE!! Ha-Ha-Ha!!"
The best solo that I ever heard Spiegle play was the last time that I saw him. This was the 1999
Connecticut Jazz Festival, and he was playing with the Paris Washboard Band, a really wonderful
outfit. They tore into "China Boy". and at the age of 96, Spiegle ripped off the finest solo that I
had ever heard come out of his trombone.
JEAN GOLDKETTE - 1938 Reunion Party
In 1938, Jean Goldkette & his wife took a trip to Hollywood. When he arrived, party was thrown in
his honor, and attended by several ex-members of Goldkette's Victor Orchestra. Paul Mertz did
jazz history a great favor by recording some of this party on a record cutting machine. By the time
Paul made a transfer of this record for Phil Evans in 1959, the record was in pretty rough shape. It
cleaned up quite well, although there is a "whoosh" sound that comes in on occasion. After an
introduction, the guests sit around and tell stories about Bix, the "missing" Goldkette trunk full
arrangements, the Howdy Quicksell stories are the best, Don Murray, Eddie King and many others.
Every fan of Jean Goldkette and Bix Beiderbecke should have this one. No music, just a great time!
ALSO INCLUDED - Paul Mertz recorded two versions of "In A Mist" in 1959. The first one
is a duet with Mertz and a flute player. Wonderful flute player, and it's an interesting concept.
Paul plays the piano sections with a real Bix touch! The second version of "In A MIst" features a
vocal on the slow passage, with lyrics written by Paul Mertz! The vocalist is a real pro. Mertz and
the flute player also team up for a version of "Candlelights". Paul Mertz wrote a haunting piece
that he called "BALLAD FOR BIX". He recorded this number with an string orchestra, and used a
saxophone for the lead. He wasn't sure if there was a cornet player that could produce the sound
to do justice to Bix. The sax player gives it an almost Tram-like quality, and the melody stays with
you long after the song has ended!
AND A RARE TREAT! - Also in 1959, Spiegle Willcox brought along his brand new tape
recorder to the country club he was playing at the time. He wanted to make a tape for Phil Evans,
and recorded part of the evening with the band he was playing with in those days.
They play a few Dixieland tunes, but Spiegle really shines on "On The Alamo" and "Ja-Da".
Hearing that wonderful sound of his again reminds me of how much we all miss him. He was 54
years old when he made this recording, and kept going for another 42 years! While putting this CD
together, I started to think of my favorite stories about Spiegle to include here. I then then realized
that all of them were my favorite stories. Spiegle was a joy to be around and a great inspiration to
countless musicians and jazz fans alike.
Women everywhere adored Spiegle. I can remember beautiful young women hanging on to his
every word at the end of a set, leaving me to feel like a wire coat hanger in Joan Crawford's closet!
He told me that, as long as you have good health, getting older is a ball! He then on to say, "You
know something kiddo? I can go up to the most beautiful woman that I see, and can say the most
disgusting thing I can think of. And do you know what? They think I'm CUTE!! Ha-Ha-Ha!!"
The best solo that I ever heard Spiegle play was the last time that I saw him. This was the 1999
Connecticut Jazz Festival, and he was playing with the Paris Washboard Band, a really wonderful
outfit. They tore into "China Boy". and at the age of 96, Spiegle ripped off the finest solo that I
had ever heard come out of his trombone.
<---Bill Rank Greets Jean Goldkette
<--- Talking About Bix
<---Ballad For Bix
<--- In a Mist Vocal
