Dick Cathcart, Red Nichols, Welk Trpt. Section, etc

[Scoop222]

I just signed up for Trumpetherald after reading posts for many years. I've been playing in the Midwest for the past 53 years and am a bandleader and arranger. I own almost every recording by Red Nichols & Dick Cathcart and hopefully can answer many questions you might have about them, especially Red. I also know a lot about the Welk band and their trumpet players, especially the ones from the early TV days. I love all the old style music - but I also love more current guys like Nicholas Peyton and Terrance Blanchard. And Don Fagerquist is also a "hero" of mine. And I was recently given a CD with New York trumpeter Dick Perry talking about his life & playing some excerpts from Shows - what a player - he MADE a LOT of MUSIC with his horn. I currently play on a Bach 3C mouthpiece and sometimes a Giardinelli 6 S. I also recently found a Bach 3D mouthpiece that was the same size supposedly played by Bernie Glow & the New York guys, but it's not easy for me to play. Just yesterday, a friend who played a little bit with the Chicago Symphony years ago gave me a Bach 7 (plain 7 - no letter) (Mt. Vernon) to try that was supposedly owned by Adolph Herseth at one time. That one plays well! I'd like to hear comments or questions about this post from those of you who like the "old time guys."

[gbshelbymi]

No real comments other than to say "welcome"!
_________________
Greg
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Getzen 3850 Custom - Kanstul 1525 Flugelhorn - Getzen Severinsen Eterna LB - 70s Bach 180ML37 - 70s Bach CL 229 25C - CarolBrass Pocket - 40 Conn 80A etc.

[solo soprano]

Welcome,

Late 1942 in NYC, Dick Cathcart was an outstanding lead trumpet with a marvelous 30 piece Air Force orchestra under the direction of Harry Bluestone that was being groomed for overseas duty. Years later he became well known for his work with Jack Webb on the "Pete Kelly's Blues" series on radio, records, the movies, and TV.

1929; Kansas City at the El Torreon Ballroom, Red Nichols was second trumpet in the Cass-Hagen Orchestra, a high powered outfit from New York. The members included Itch Schulkin on lead trumpet, Fred Van Epp Jr., on third, and Al Philburn -- featured by Bert Lown on his hit theme song, "Bye Bye Blues" -- on trombone. The saxes were Larry Tice on lead alto. Pete Pumiglio on Sax and Clarinet (later with the Raymond Scott Quintet) on third, and a star on tenor sax named Pee Wee Russell, Bobby Van Epps played piano, and a drummer named Gary.

Red was known for such classics as "Dinah", Ida", and a Archie Bleyer arrangement of "Business In F."
_________________
Bill Knevitt, who taught me the seven basic physical elements and the ten principles of physical trumpet playing and how to develop them.
https://qpress.ca/product-category/trumpet/?filter_publisher=la-torre-music

[Scoop222]

Thanks for the Cathcart & Nichols info. In 1942 Dick Cathcart was only 18 years old. I didn't know he was lead trumpet in the Air Force Orchestra at such as young age. You mentioned it was led by Harry Bluestone - Harry wound up playing violin on all the Bing Crosby radio shows with Red Nichols in the late 40's and early 50's. And Harry played section violin on a 1955 Red Nichols Capitol LP with a large orchestra. When Red was playing with John Scott Trotter for Bing Crosby on the radio shows - the lead trumpet was Bobby Guy who was married to "Baby" Rose Marie. Bobby always sounded great - he was very under-rated. Thanks for the 1929 Kansas City Nichols info. You mentioned Red's recording of Dinah - that was April 18, 1929 - was Red in Kansas City later in the year?? Red recorded Indiana on the same session as Dinah. It was arranged by Glenn Miller. I got to hold in my hand the actual 1929 music arrangement about 20 years ago - Glenn's handwriting looks like an Old English script - it was very neat. And you also mentioned pianist Bobby Van Epps from 1929. 29 years later - he wrote some charts for Red that (in my mind) are pure genius - the voicings are really interesting & the voice leadings break all the "rules" - but the results are some wonderful music that no other arranger could duplicate - he was "one of a kind".
Last thing - I saw Bill Knevitt on your posting and on your website - I took a bunch of lessons with him 15 years ago & he really helped me. I got great warm-up ideas from him - and using his material - I can play for only 15 or 20 minutes and get such a good workout - it's as good for my "chops" as playing an hour.

[solo soprano]

Scoop222

I was fortunate to have studied with Bill Knevitt for a few years. The website is owned by Bob Latorre who bought the business from Bill at his retirement. Bob never meet Bill in person but was one of many of Bill's correspondent students and is doing a fine job making Bill's life's work available to future trumpeters. When Bill sold the business he did not supply Bob with any of his valuable audio recordings? So, being one of Bill's disciples I was very happy to play my small part and gifted all the missing audio files (recorded originally on cassette tapes) and some written materials available on the website after Bills passing. Other than that I have no connection to the business.

I see you have a great love of big bands and the Golden Age of Jazz. Well, I've been searching for a worthy candidate to gift one of my last two autographed copies of Warren Vache Sr's "This Horn For Hire", -- congratulations Steve!! It's the bio. of another of my early teachers Pee Wee Erwin., (I have all George's recordings, of course) It's Mr. Erwins' personnel story thru the golden age of American entertainment. I know you're going to love reading it. I'll send it as soon as I verify your address.

Steve, please "PM" your mailing address

Best Wishes for Your continued success!!
Larry
_________________
Bill Knevitt, who taught me the seven basic physical elements and the ten principles of physical trumpet playing and how to develop them.
https://qpress.ca/product-category/trumpet/?filter_publisher=la-torre-music

[Seymor B Fudd]

[DNMH]

Please tell me the preferred trumpets of Dick Cathcart and Pee Wee Erwin. Thanks

[david johnson]

I recall the Red Nichols 78 rpm records my dad had.