|
|
From left to right: Roy Lang, Jim Gover, Phil Cartwright, Robin Wetterau, Jack Kuncl. Picture taken a few years ago on the Goldenrod Showboat in St. Louis. |
Jack Kuncl — A Salty Dog I met Jack Kuncl in the early 1960’s in Chicago. We were friends and fellow banjo players: He on plectrum and me on tenor. In fact, I found a banjo that Jack bought — a nice Bacon and Day. I think he still plays it. Jack and I played in several bands in the Chicago area: Jack the Bear Brown’s Steamboat Stompers, the Windy City Banjo Band, the Red Garter, and numerous other bands that made up a name just for that gig. Jack went on to bigger and better things. He has been THE banjo player with the Salty Dogs for the last 30 years or so ever since Bob Sundstrom moved to Cape Cod. Jack plays in other bands as well. He has played the pre-game show for the Chicago Cubs for many years and has many recordings too numerous to mention. One that is really interesting is the New Bay City Jazz Band. The original Bay City JB recorded in the mid fifties emulated the Lu Watters Yerba Buena JB. (I was fortunate to work with three of those original guys while in California: Ray Giomi, clnt; Ev Farey, cnt; Lloyd Byassee, drums. Ted Shafer’s Jelly Roll JB carries on that tradition and I was fortunate to play with them for two years or so.) The new Bay City JB re-creates many of those classic Turk Murphy and Lu Watters songs. (Phil Cartwright) |
|
Earlville Association for Ragtime Lovers Yearning for Jazz Advancement and Socialization |