Richard M.
Sudhalter
Author, Musician, Jazz Historian
An
Account of the September 10, 2006 Benefit Concert for Richard Sudhalter.
On May 22, 2006, I received a very disturbing message from Enrico
Borsetti. Dorothy Kellog, Richard M. Sudhalter's friend, had written to
Enrico alerting him of Richard's deteriorating medical condition.
Richard had suffered a massive stroke in 2003, and although his health
had improved in 2004, by 2005 it began to decline. Richard was
diagnosed with MSA, multiple system atrophy. Richard's medical bills
were mounting. Enrico suggested that a medical fund be established to
help Richard with his medical expenses. I thought the idea was
excellent, and within a few days I uploaded to the Bix Beiderbecke
website the following letter.
"Important
Announcement About Richard
M. Sudhalter
To My Fellow Jazzophiles and
Bixophiles:
I am certain that you all know
about the crucial role that Richard
Sudhalter has played in the fields of Jazzology and Bixology. Richard
is a multi-talented individual: author, musician, historian,
researcher, teacher, critic, etc. Richard's achievements are too
numerous to list here: scholarly articles in magazines and newspapers,
chapters in books, liners for records and CDs; he is a concert
organizer, radio broadcaster,
Grammy Award winner,
Winner of an ASCAP Deems Taylor Special Citation for
Excellence, etc.
It will suffice,
at this point, to mention the seminal and influential books that he
wrote or co-wrote.
1. “Bix: Man and Legend,” Richard M. Sudhalter and Philip
R. Evans with William Dean-Myatt, Arlington House, New Rochelle, NY,
1974. Nominated for a National Book Award.
2. “Lost Chords: White Musicians and Their Contribution to
Jazz, 1915-1945,” Richard M. Sudhalter, Oxford University Press, NY,
1999. Voted a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.
3. “Stardust Melody: The Life and Music of Hoagy
Carmichael,” Richard M. Sudhalter, Oxford University Press,
NY, 2002.
Richard’s many and valuable contributions to our understanding of Bix’s
music and life are legendary. For one example, had it not been for “Man
and Legend,” the Bixography (bixbeiderbecke.com) website would not be
in existence today. That book had a profound influence on my life.
Sadly, Richard suffered a massive stroke in
2003.
Although he
recovered initially, in the last two years Richard’s health has
deteriorated considerably. Richard has been diagnosed as having MSA,
multiple system atrophy. Expensive consultations are necessary, and
medical bills are mounting. A consultation at the Mayo Clinic is
scheduled for August 24, 2006.
Enrico Borsetti suggested -and I enthusiastically agree- that I start a
campaign among friends and followers of Richard Sudhalter to solicit
help in defraying his medical and associated expenses. This is the
purpose of the present communication: I ask you to help as much as you
possibly can.
Please send your checks or money orders, made out to “Richard
Sudhalter,” to:
Richard M. Sudhalter
Post Office Box 757
Southold, NY 11971
Those who wish to make
their contributions
directly to a
bank account, please use the following
North Fork Bank
54375 Route 25
Southold NY 11971
USA
Bank Transit Number (also known as
Routing Number or ABA Number)
021-407912
Name on account: Richard M. Sudhalter
Account Number 0126-36587-3
We all owe a profound debt of
gratitude to Richard for his
extraordinary and life-long efforts to elucidate, preserve, and
disseminate the music we love. Richard has done a lot for us. It is
time that we reciprocate. Don’t put this aside. Write your check or
make fund transfer right
now and mail it immediately. This is not a time to delay in taking
action. Richard needs our help.
Thank you very much.
Albert Haim"
I alerted several jazz discussion groups of the need to help Richard
and directed readers to the announcement in the Bix site. Contributions
began to flow in.
A few days letter, it occurred to me to organize a benefit concert for
Richard with the proceeds to go to his medical fund. I obtained
Richard's permission to go ahead with the idea, and contacted Dan
Levinson and Randy Sandke. It turns out that Randy had thought of the
same idea at about the same time. Dan was quite enthusiastic about the
project and wrote on 5/28/06, "I have a great deal of respect
for Dick. I learned much about him when he came to my apartment
to interview me in preparation for writing the liner notes to my last
Roof Garden Jass Band CD, "Echoes in the Wax" in 2003 (one of his last
projects, I imagine, before his stroke). I discovered a very
conscientious man, who gave 110% of himself to every project he
undertook, be it a full-length book or the liner notes to my little
CD. How many liner note writers would have taken the time to
INTERVIEW ME?! I see in him much of myself, or at least someone I
would LIKE to be. I feel a strong connection between us." Following consultation with Richard and
Dorothy, Dan and Randy drew up a list of musicians and began
contacting them to participate in the concert. They got in touch with
Pastor Dale Lind of St. Peters Lutheran Church on Lexington and 54th.
St., New York City, who generously agreed to make the Church Auditorium
available for the concert. Dorothy volunteered to help with tickets
sales and mailing of announcements. I was to write, in consultation
with Dan and Randy the announcements, and Dorothy was going to take
care of the designs. The response from the musicians was overwhelming:
people were calling from all over the US and the world volunteering
their participation.
By the beginning of August, cards and announcements of the concert were
mailed to hundreds of people.
Card
Announcement
Dan Levinson and Randy Sandke Present
A
Benefit Concert
for
Richard M. Sudhalter
Author, Musician, Jazz Historian
Richard
M. Sudhalter has played a crucial role in the field of jazz. An author
(Bix: Man and Legend, Lost Chords: White Musicians and their
Contribution to Jazz, Stardust Melody: The Life and Music of Hoagy
Carmichael), musician, historian, researcher, teacher, and critic, he
has been largely unable perform any of these functions since suffering
a massive stroke in 2003. In addition, he was recently diagnosed with
MSA—Multiple System Atrophy. With tremendous medical bills mounting,
his friends Randy Sandke and Dan Levinson, with the help of Albert Haim
and Dorothy Kellogg, are organizing a benefit concert to help ease his
financial burden.
You can do your
part by attending the event on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 from 7-10 p.m. at
ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 619 Lexington Avenue at 54th Street, New
York, NY. The minimum donation is $40.00.
To order
tickets, send a check made payable to RICHARD SUDHALTER BENEFIT CONCERT
to:
Dorothy Kellogg
P.O. Box 757
Southold, NY
11971
You may also
order tickets online with a credit card by using the PayPal account
danlevinson@aol.com.
If you cannot
attend but would like to make a tax-deductible contribution, please
mail a check for any amount made payable to RICHARD SUDHALTER BENEFIT
CONCERT to Dorothy Kellogg at the address above, or send your
contribution using the PayPal account danlevinson@aol.com.
ALL TICKETS WILL
BE HELD AT THE DOOR.
For more
information, contact Dan Levinson at (212) 533-1704 or
danlevinson@aol.com
MUSICIANS
SCHEDULED TO PERFORM:
Harry Allen, Tom
Artin, Dan Barrett, Eddie Bert, Francesca Biagi, Giampaolo Biagi, James
Chirillo, Bill Crow, Kevin Dorn, Eddie Erikson, Jim Ferguson, Chuck
Folds, Joel Forbes, Dave Frishberg, Wycliffe Gordon, Marty Grosz, Jeff
Healy, Sy Johnson, Brad Kay, Orange Kellin, Jon-Erik Kellso, Becky
Kilgore, Bill Kirchner, Steve Kuhn, Dan Levinson, Marion McPartland,
Joe Muranyi, Brian Nalepka, David Ostwald, Sam Parkins, Nicki Parrott,
Bucky Pizzarelli, Ed Polcer, Scott Robinson, Molly Ryan, Randy Sandke,
Mark Shane, Daryl Sherman, The Loren Schoenberg Big Band, Keisha St.
Joan, Andy Stein, Carol Sudhalter, Frank Tate, Jackie Williams.
We
all owe a profound debt of gratitude to Richard for his extraordinary,
life-long efforts to elucidate, preserve and disseminate the music we
love. This is our opportunity to reciprocate.
By early September, the program was finalized.
Announcement of Concert in the New
York Press.
The "Jazz Listings" for the Sep 8, 2006 issue of the
New York Times included the following item.
"BENEFIT CONCERT FOR RICHARD M.
SUDHALTER (Sunday) Mr. Sudhalter, a
scholar and musician long active in traditional jazz circles, has been
in ill health in the past few years; proceeds from this concert will go
toward his medical bills. The list of artists includes the tenor
saxophonist Harry Allen, the trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, the trombonist
Eddie Bert, the pianist Marian McPartland and the guitarist Bucky
Pizzarelli. Its organizers, the clarinetist Dan Levinson and the
trumpeter Randy Sandke, will also perform. At 7 p.m., St. Peter’s
Lutheran Church, Lexington Avenue at 54th Street, (212) 533-1704;
minimum donation, $40."
The Sep 8, 2006 of the New York Sun carried the
following itme by Will Friedwald.
This Sunday at 7 p.m., there is a benefit concert for one of my own
mentors and spiritual fathers, the historian and cornetist Richard M.
Sudhalter, whose books (particularly "Bix: Man and Legend" and "Lost
Chords") are an essential part of any jazz education, and who is
battling the effects of a stroke and of multiple system atrophy. The
concert will take place at St. Peter's, and the leading attractions,
along with the two organizers — the clarinetist Dan Levinson and the
trumpeter Randy Sandke — are the outstanding Canadian guitarist and
singer Jeff Healey, the pianist singer Daryl Sherman, and the full
Loren
Schoenberg big band. It promises to be an outstanding event for a man
who has made an outstanding contribution to jazz.
Program Schedule
RICHARD SUDHALTER
BENEFIT CONCERT
Sunday,
September 10, 2006
7:00-7:10 OPENING REMARKS BY DAN MORGENSTERN
7:10-7:20 ED POLCER’S GANG FROM 54th STREET
Ed Polcer - cornet
Tom Artin - trombone
Joe Muranyi - clarinet
Harry Allen - tenor sax
Dave Frishberg - piano
Bucky Pizzarelli - guitar
Frank Tate - bass
Jackie Williams - drums
7:20-7:30 DAVE FRISHBERG (piano solo: “Dear Bix”)
7:30-7:40 DAN LEVINSON’S LOST CHORD SEEKERS
Jon-Erik Kellso - trumpet
Dan Levinson - clarinet
Brad Kay - piano
Jeff Healey - guitar
Brian Nalepka - bass
Kevin Dorn - drums
Molly Ryan - vocal
7:40-7:50 DARYL SHERMAN (piano solo/vocal)
7:50-8:00 CAROL SUDHALTER AND FRIENDS
Carol Sudhalter - sax
Dick Katz - piano
Jim Ferguson - bass
Jackie Williams - drums
Keisha St. Joan - vocal
8:00-8:10 STEVE KUHN (piano solo or with rhythm section)
8:10-8:20 DAVID OSTWALD’S GULLY LOW JAZZ BAND
Jon-Erik Kellso - trumpet
Wycliffe Gordon - trombone
Joe Muranyi - clarinet
James Chirillo - banjo
David Ostwald - tuba
Kevin Dorn - drums
8:20-8:30 JACKIE CAIN (vocal)
Steve Kuhn - piano
8:30-8:40 HEALEY’S HAPPY HARMONISTS
Brad Kay - cornet/piano
Orange Kellin - clarinet
Dan Levinson - C-melody saxophone
Jeff Healey - guitar/trumpet/vocal
Scott Robinson - bass sax
Kevin Dorn - drums
8:40-8:50 MARIAN McPARTLAND (piano solo or with rhythm section)
?Frank Tate - bass
8:50-9:00 THE BIAGI BAND
Jordan Sandke - trumpet
Carol Sudhalter - sax
Sam Parkins - clarinet
Andy Stein - violin
Chuck Folds - piano
Bill Crow - bass
Giampaolo Biagi - drums
Francesca Biagi - vocal
9:00-9:10 SY JOHNSON and JOE WILDER
9:10-9:20 THE BILL KIRCHNER TRIO
Bill Kirchner - soprano sax
Armen Donelian - piano
Jim Ferguson - bass/vocal
9:20-9:30 RANDY SANDKE’S BIXOPHILES
Randy Sandke - trumpet
Dan Barrett - trombone
Dan Levinson - clarinet/C-melody sax
Scott Robinson - C-melody sax/clarinet
Mark Shane - piano
Marty Grosz - guitar
Nicki Parrott - bass
Rob Garcia - drums
9:30-9:40 B.E.D.
Becky Kilgore - guitar/vocal
Eddie Erickson - guitar/vocal
Dan Barrett - trombone
Joel Forbes - bass
9:40-10:00 THE LOREN SCHOENBERG BIG BAND
The
concert was a resounding success. There were 319 attendees plus
musicians and their
friends (about 100). In spite of the crowded schedule (nine bands and
six soloists in three hours), the atmosphere was relaxed, everyone
enjoying the music and paying homage to Richard.
For three hours (non-stop!!) musicians and soloists played one or, at
most, two numbers. Nevertheless, you could appreciate the musicianship
exhibited by bands and soloists. Some of the highlights were Dan
Levinson's Lost Chord Seekers (with Brad Kay at the piano) playing
"Blue River" and "I Didn't Know"; Daryl Sherman singing and telling
some wonderful stories about Richard. Another highlight of the concert
was Healy's Harmonists (with Brad on
cornet and piano) playing "I'm More Than Satisfied" and "Confessin'."
The most amusing part of the concert was Marty Grosz singing
"Mississippi Mud" in English and German.
We were treated by Marian McPartland to two wonderful renditions of
Hoagy Carmichael's compositions: "Heart and "Soul" and "New Orleans."
In spite of her arthritic condition, Marian plays piano with an agility
unheard of in an 80+- (maybe 90?) old person. Sy Johnson played another
of Hoagy's compositions, "Skylark." Incidentally, Hoagy's son, Hoagy
"Bix" Carmichael was in the audience.
Dan Morgenstern, director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers
University, made a 10-minute speech in which he highlighted the amazing
versatility of Richard - musician, author, producer, teacher, newsman,
researcher, scholar, and a master in every activity he practiced.
Richard could not speak himself; but his ability to write is unchanged,
and he wrote some interesting remarks which were read by his friend
Terry Teachout.
A couple of other highlights. Randy Sandke's Bixophiles played
"Sunday," and the Loren Schoenberg Big Band played "A Dream Deferred,"
one of Richard's composition.
The concert ended with a standing ovation for Richard, who clearly was
moved as well as happy by the outpour of love and support by so many of
his friends.
I wrote on September 12, 2006,
"Dear All,
Although I do not have
detailed
information
about the numbers, I think the concert was a resounding success and
fulfilled
its intended purpose. I would like to share with you some of my
thoughts.
First and foremost, it was a
moving – and
highly deserved- tribute to Richard for his innumerable contributions
to jazz
as an author, historian, musician, and researcher. Speaking for myself,
and I
am sure for many others, I want to acknowledge my debt of gratitude to
Richard.
His writings, in particular, “Man and Legend,” have influenced my life
profoundly. Had it not been for Richard’s comprehensive, insightful,
and sad - I cannot re-read “Man and Legend” without feeling a profound
sorrow an melancholy- account of Bix’s life, my own life would not have
been
what it is today. I read “Man and Legend” over thirty years ago. After
an
induction/gestation period of a quarter of a century, I launched the
Bixography
website, and my life was changed forever and for the better. Thank you,
Richard.
There were many heroes
involved
in making
the idea of a benefit concert for Richard a reality and a great success.
-Enrico Borsetti who alerted
the jazz
community of Richard’s plight. Had it not been for Enrico’s concern and
desire
to help, what turned out to be an event of historic proportions would
not have
taken place.
-Dan Levinson -with help
from
Randy Sandke
and Judy Kahn- whose organizational skills, remarkable attention to
detail, and
indefatigable energy were the key to a superb evening of music in honor
of
Richard.
-Dorothy Kellogg who had the
lovely
invitations printed and distributed, and efficiently handled the
requests for
attendance from hundreds of fans who supported the event.
-The musicians who
selflessly
provided
superb music for the evening.
-The hundreds of friends
whose
love and
admiration for Richard filled the auditorium with warmth and good
wishes.
Of course, none of this
would
have been
possible without the cooperation and generosity of Reverend Dale Lind
and The Jazz Ministry of Saith Peter's Lutheran Church.
To all the people I
mentioned
above -and with
apologies to those I probably missed but were instrumental in bringing
the idea
of a benefit concert to fruition- I say thank you for a memorable
evening.
Albert Haim
Dan
Levinson wrote on September 12, 2006,
"Pardon my
delay in writing this message. I've been thinking about writing
it for a week, but have barely been able to find the time to sit down
at my computer. I wanted to thank you all for donating
your artistry to the cause last weekend.
The
esprit de corps among all of you was truly
phenomenal. If I'd known that you would be so respectful of
the schedule, I wouldn't have worried so much! And what a
breathtaking display of talent - I wish I could have just sat
back and listened to you all.
I
don't have the final tally, but I know that from a
financial standpoint the event was a tremendous success. We had
about 340 people in there, and I had been told that 350 was the maximum
we could have accommodated. Not bad at all.
Again
- MANY, many thanks to each and every one of
you. I am proud to have been involved in such a memorable
event. We done good. I will look back on September 10, 2006
for years to come...and smile.
Dan
Levinson
Benefit Concert for Richard M.
Sudhalter in London.
22
Oct 2006 6.30pm – 10.30pm Dick Sudhalter Benefit Gig
GREAT BRITISH JAZZ BAND: Mike Cotton, Digby Fairweather (trumpets) Roy
Williams, Chris Gower (trombones) Dave Shepherd, John Barnes
(clarinet/saxophones) Nick Dawson (piano) Len Skeat (bass) Bobby Worth
(drums). KEITH NICHOLS' 'Tribute to Bix Beiderbecke' featuring Andy
Woon (cornet) / KEITH NICHOLS RAGTIME ORCHESTRA featuring Mo Morris
(violin) / KEITH NICHOLS BLUE DEVILS featuring Olaf Vas, Mick Foster,
Alastair Allen and an All Star cast!
Other guests include: Julian Marc Stringle (British Jazz Award
Winner/clarinet/2005/6), Campbell Burnap, Richard Pyte, Norman Field,
Martin Wheatley, Ron Horton, Graham Read, Graham Collicott.
Mem £8 adv / £10 on the door Non-mem £8 adv /
£10 on the door
100 Club. 100 Oxford Street, London
A Relevant Link.
Doug Ramsey on the Sudhalter Concert
http://www.artsjournal.com/rifftides/archives/2006/09/the_sudhalter_c.html