Found music

Acquired some more vintage music of fun tunes. First I acquired "What a Perfect Combination" from the 1930's song by Eddie Cantor.. Cost $14.50.  It is great that one can find so much vintage sheet music in England but unfortunately it costs more.  The other song is one I have been looking for, for a while, "Turkish Towel" by Sammy Fain. (not "the Turkish Towel Rag."). Unfortunately it is an arrangement for a small jazz combo.  At least it has a piano part that is a piano/conductor score so It should not be too hard to work out a decent organ arrangement...especially with the other instrument parts to fill it out.

What goes up must come down

I just received a vintage copy of "What goes up, must come down." from Cotton Club Parade. It was a tune Sidney Torch played.  Although it was a little pricey since I got it from a vintage music store in Great Britain, after looking at it, it will be worth it.  Cool beans!

Playing by ear

I have been struggling with playing by ear for yearscwith very little luck.  A number of years ago I worked out "Happy Birthday" because so many people have asked me to play it.  This morning while eating breakfast at the diner,  I figured out "Let's all go to the lobby." sitting at the counter with no keyboard. I couldn't wait to get home and play it. I only had one phrase partially wrong.  Wow.. i am very proud of myself.  It is strange that I always work them out inthe key of F.  I will have to work out my repertoire of two ear songs in other keys.  Off we go...

Quentin M. Maclean

I just acquired my first Quentin Maclean CD and WOW.  It is on a par to Sidney Torch's stuff of that era..  I think I even like it more.  I hope I can get some more recordings of his.

Organ Lesson - Ashely Miller Arrangement

My organ/piano teacher (John Baratta) has decided that I am finally ready to read a full theatre organ arrangement.   I have made large strides on reading three lines of music so I now can attempt a good arrangement.  We decided on "I saw the Harbor Lights" arranged by Ashley Miller.  There is such wonderful harmonies in the arrangement.  He did so much with so few notes.  I wish I had gotten to know him better before he passed away. 

Speaking of Ashley Miller, I ran into Jerry Mendelson at a GSTOS picnic recently.  He was a student of Ray Bohr and played at Radio City Music Hall with Dick Liebert and Ashley Miller.  A talkative guy with so many great stories to tell.

Wedgewood Blue

After listening to a Tom Hazelton recording of Wedgewood Blue by Ketelbey, I have decided to work on my own arrangement.  I was happy to see that my "Ketelbey Classics" book contained a copy of the song.  Tomorrow I will scan it to put on my laptop where all my organ music is now.

ATOS Convention LA 2012

This was the second convention I went to. My first was Atlanta in 1978. It was wonderful actually meeting all my friends I know from online. We heard so many great organs. The one I like the sound of best was the Pasedena Civic Auditorium Moller. It used to be Reginald Foort's traveling Moller. It has an incredibly full orchestral sound. Both Mark Herman and Walt Strony played it. Mark is developing player. I hope he makes some mre CDs soon. I was selected for the Mentor program..where I had a private hour session with Walt Strony. It was avwonderful experience and a got. Lot of gret tips The whole convention was great and I am glad I went (even though it was very expensive.) i am looking forward to Atlanta next year.