The Harlem Blues And Jazz Band Biographies

THE HARLEM BLUES & JAZZ BAND Biographies

The Harlem Blues & Jazz Band, founded in 1973 by King Oliver's trombonist/blues singer Clyde Bernhardt and jazz aficionado Al Vollmer, has as its main concept to keep the significant side-men of the Classic Jazz Period working and not forgotten.

From its inception, the band has always had a strong link to Louis Armstrong, George James, the first saxophonist in the band was with Armstrong in the '30's and participated in Armstrong's first triumphant return to his Native New Orleans.

Within a year, bassist Johnny Williams joined and remained with the band for 25 years until his death in 1998 at the age of 90. He had been with Armstrong in the late '30's and again in the early '40's. On occasion he would vocalize with Louis on the famous number "Rockin' Chair".

"Fats" Waller's guitarist, Al Casey, joined the band in 1981. He had recorded with Armstrong and also performed with him at the Metropolitan Opera House in N.Y and the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. on account of winning the prestigious Esquire Jazz Critics Award for best guitarist in 1944 and 1945. (Louis Armstrong had won in both vocal and trumpet categories).

JOEY MORANT: trumpet/cornet/flugelhorn/vocals
One of the most exciting and dynamic trumpeters on the current scene, Joey joins the Harlem Blues & Jazz band for some special engagements. He hails from South Carolina and electrifies audiences with his dazzling horn technique, skillful scat singing and humorous asides. His Louis Armstrong interpretations, both playing and singing are perfect, and. his admiration for Louis is deep and genuine. Years of dedication to the martial arts has kept his body in top condition enabling him use the full range of his imagination without fluffing a note or losing a beat. He has performed with Henry "Red" Allen, Lionel Hampton, Ray Charles, and Dizzy Gillespie, as well as countless others. He is quite simply a tremendously talented and original player in superb physical condition.

Fred Smith: trumpet/flugelhorn/vocals

Fred Smith is the trumpeter of choice for many main line Swing groups through the years from drummer Panam Francis' Big Band and George Kelly's Jazz Sultans, to Thad Jones-Mel Lewis and the Peter Duchin Orchestras. Fred has backed such diverse vocalists as Aretha Franklin and Harry Belefonte. He is a much sought after presenter of his educational "History of Jazz" programs.

FRED STATON: tenor sax
One of the senior members of the band at age 92, Fred has performed with Billy Eckstine, Howard
“Sticks” McGhee, Art Blackey and Errol Garner. He has also backed the Harlem Dance Troupe, Mama Lu Parks and her Savoy Lindy Hoppers, a group with which The Harlem Blues & Jazz band had a long association. As the brother of Dakota Staton he has also frequently shared tile stage with his famous sister.

ART BARON: trombone, composer, arranger
A most versatile musician, Art played for a year in the Duke Ellington brass section under the leadership of the Maestro himself. He carries on the Ellington tradition with The Duke's Men, an aggregation of Ellington Alumni of which he is the leader, arranger and trombonist. He has played with the Charlie Mingus Big Band, Illinois Jacquet, Frank Wes and the Lincoln Center Jazz Ensemble. His New Orleans credits include playing with The Preservation Hall Jazz Band as well as a funeral with Harold Dejan's Olympia Brass Band.

MICHAEL MAX FLEMING: bass
One of the outstanding and busiest bassist's in the New York area, Michael excels both in
pizzicato and arco bass playing. He has performed with Mary Lou Williams and Sammy Davis Jr. as well as Blues singer Jimmy Witherspoon. He has also played with Clifford Jordan, Chet Baker and Billy Eckstine.

RUTH BRISBANE: vocals
This vivid stage personality has appeared in Jazz Clubs all over tile United States as well as the Caribbean and: Europe. She performed off Broadway in her own one-woman show; The Legacy of. Bessie Smith and on Broadway in the Wiz, Raisin and the. role of ‘Bloody Mary’ in South Pacific. She was in the Paris production of Black and Blue and appeared in One Mo' Time both in Greenwich Village, New York and the London West-End production. She is also a riveting interpreter of Blues, Spirituals and Gospel music.

MICHAEL DAWSON: conga percussion
Michael Dawson is the newest member of the Harlem Blues and Jazz Band. Michael, a Latin Percussionist, compliments the drumming of Shelton Gary, by introducing African and Latin elements into the beat. Michael also brings his own blend of both humor and surprise to delight our audiences with his special array of "Special Effect" instruments. He is honored to be accepted wholeheartedly by the Harlem Blues and Jazz Band.

Michael has performed and studied with many notable artists, such as Trumpeter Michael Ridley, of the Cotton Club All-stars and Motown Records. Also, Michael Dawson was a member of the Walter Perkins Band. Walter Perkins was world-class drummer until his untimely death in 2004. Michael has also performed with Trumpeters Clark Terry and Roy Campbell Jr., Bassist Carlos Castillo, (Former member of the Tito Puente Orchestra, Machito's Afro Cubans and the Tito Rodriquez Band), Bob Cunningham, Bassist and alumni of the Dizzy Gillespie Band, David Jackson, Benny Powell, Frank Owens, Clarence "Tootsie" Bean, Bob Crenshaw, Max Lucas (Lionel Hampton Band), Lawrence "Larry" Lucie, Ed Stoute (Alumni of "Illinois Jacquet" Orchestra). Keith Copeland, Wayne Raglan, Bill Wurtzel, Lon Ivey (Drummer for Dianne Shure), Craig Haynes, son of Roy Haynes, Vocalists Eddie Harris, Mel Bliss, and Tom Mitchell. Also Michael has performed with Harold Ousley, Eli Yamin, Wayne Holmes, Sheldon Sweeper and countless other musicians.

Michael brings a healthy love of music to all venues as well as his engagingly happy personality

JOHN MILLER: piano, keyboard
One of the busiest keyboard artists in the New York area, John joins The Harlem Blues & Jazz Band foir all engagements requiring this instrument. His extensive background includes playing with saxophonists Stanley Turrentine, "Big Nick" Nicholas, Frank Foster, Harold Ousley and C.I. Williams. He has also backed the singers Dakota Staton and Gwen Cleveland.

SHELTON GARY: drums
Shelton hails from Fairfield, Alabama. In New York he studied drums with the great Jo Jones of Count Basle fame. He first recorded with The Harlem blues & Jazz band in 1980 and also toured in Sweden with the band at that time. His background includes drumming for such luminaries as Jay McShann, Illinois Jacquet, Howlin' Wolf, Freddie King and vocalist Joe Yurner.

IN MEMORIUM

JOHNNY BLOWERS: drums

Drummer Johnny Blowers, age 95, joined the band in 1986. He has played and recorded with Eddie Condon, Pee Wee Russelll, "Wild" Bill Davison, Bobby Hackett, Muggsy Spanier, Sidney Bechet, Sy Oliver, and Teddy Wilson. He has backed vocalists Peggy Lee, Anita O'Day, Betha "Chippie" Hill, Billie Holiday and Laurel Watson. He has served the big bands of Bunny Berigan, Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman. He was Frank Sinatra's drummer for 11 years (1942 - 1953). He recorded with Louis Armstrong separately as wall as with Ella Fitzgerald.