On Wednesday of this week, I attended a luncheon of ASMAC, the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers. One of the speakers happened to mention the name Oscar Rabin. Rabin was an English bandleader popular in the years between the wars and is probably best remembered today for having given vocalist Beryl Davis her springboard to worldwide fame.
So, of course, the moment Rabin's name came up I thought about Beryl. Until entering assisted living, Beryl had been a devoted supporter of the Big Band Academy and I hoped she was doing well. Then just yesterday came word that Beryl had died that morning. An odd coincidence.
Here's an obituary prepared by Beryl's family:
Funeral services will take place at 12:30 p.m. next Friday, November 4, at the Church of the Hills, Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills. Beryl undoubtedly would be honored by the presence of as many friends from the BBAA as possible.
*************
Our own John Tumpak returns to Burbank's Joslyn Adult Center on Monday, November 14, with another of his famous audio/video big band presentations. Click the link for more details:
www.burbankbus.org/index.aspx?recordid=3685&page=875
Keep up the good work, John!
Legendary L.A. studio trumpeter Uan Rasey passed away on September 26th at the age of 90. Two days later, Uan was the subject of radio host Doug McIntyre's semi-weekly column in the Los Angeles Daily News:
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_18992019
Many of you will remember Uan and his wife Margaret -- who died in 2008 -- from their regular attendance at our Big Band Reunions. Even if you happened to be in a bad mood, it was impossible not to feel better when Uan entered the room. Not surprisingly, Uan's children and the cream of his fellow studio musicians have decided to celebrate the life of this remarkable man with a dinner and big band concert. The event will take place on the evening of Monday, November 7th, at the Odyssey Restaurant in Granada Hills:
http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=d14596612534a3878cae20baea82ff&id=0df27db0c2&e=[UNIQID]
http://www.rmala.org/pubs/uancelebration.pdf
Either of the two links will take you to a page containing all the information you'll need. Uan's older daughter, Duanna Ulyate, is acting as addressee for ticket orders.
To further whet your appetite, check out this interview that Uan and his colleague from the trumpet section, Malcolm McNab, gave last year to KPCC, the public radio station in Pasadena:
http://www.scpr.org/programs/airtalk/2010/09/17/16093/brass-behind-the-screen-film-trumpeters-uan-rasey-
If something's been missing in your life since the last Big Band Reunion three years ago, by all means make plans to be part of what will undoubtedly be a memorable night. And do it soon. Once tickets are gone, they're gone; no tickets will be sold at the door.
And let me add a personal promise: I guarantee that this event will not be called off at the last minute!
