Skip Parsons' Riverboat Jazz Band -
Past and Present Musicians
by Cliff Lamere 14 Dec 2005, revised 10 July 2010
The number of players listed below is 159 , but the list is still incomplete. If you can suggest any missing performers, please contact me. My special thanks to Ernie Belanger for making this webpage possible, to Eddy Kebabjian for adding some names, and to Skip Parsons who doubled the number of names. Skip spent a great deal of time providing me with information about each player. The Riverboat Jazz Band has been performing for over 50 years, so deciding when each musician played with the band was a difficult task. Skip and I worked on this in 2005. Some of the performers have played with Skip since, but that is not mentioned below.
Note: I have seen and heard the Riverboat Jazz Band off and on for about 35 years. However, I did not learn the names of many players until I got a digital camera and started this website.
|
ABBREVIATIONS |
MEANING |
|
|
Click on it to see one or more photos of the musician. |
|
(x) |
No photo was found using Google (other than on my own website) |
|
RJB |
Riverboat Jazz Band (of Skip Parsons). A paid performer. |
|
occ |
Occasional player |
|
|
Click on it to see a video of the musician. |
To be listed on this webpage, a musician must have been a paid performer with RJB on one or more occasions.
|
NAME |
INSTRUMENT(S) |
COMMENTS / LIFE DATES |
|
Alger, Will |
trombone |
RJB about 1963 (concert guest). Deceased. (x) |
|
keyboard |
RJB 2005-2006 only. (x) |
|
|
Allen, Bruce |
drums |
|
|
Artin, Tom |
trombone |
Played with RJB at the NY
Governor's Mansion about late 80’s.
Photographer
|
|
Atkins, Hank |
banjo |
RJB for 6 mos. about 1959. (x) |
|
Austin, Harold J. "Chic" "Hal" |
piano |
RJB about 1958-1962. Died 23 Apr 2007, age 72. See obituary below. (x) |
|
Ayotte, Jack |
bass |
RJB late 1950s. (x) |
|
Bachinski, John “Bugs” |
piano |
RJB one job about late 1980s. Deceased. (x) |
|
Balaban, Leonard "Red" |
bass, tuba, guitar, vocal |
|
|
Bedell, Buddy |
tenor sax |
RJB one time in mid-1970s. Deceased. (x) |
|
tuba, sousaphone, electric bass |
RJB 1973 to 2009. Bio |
|
|
Balsch, Mike |
drums |
RJB once late 1950s (x) |
|
drums |
||
|
Bergevin, Mike |
drums |
RJB late 1990s to early 2000. (x) |
|
Biagi, Giampaolo |
drums |
|
|
guitar, banjo |
RJB 2005-2006; about 3 long stints altogether. Bio |
|
|
Bogdanowitcz, Jerry |
piano |
RJB late 1950s . (x) |
|
Bolden, Jody |
piano |
Sat in with RJB once in early 1960s, but was not a paid player. Famous player. Deceased. |
|
Brascia, Tony |
bass |
RJB a few times in Syracuse in early 1960s. (x) |
|
Brown, Tom |
drums |
RJB original member in 1956, played many long stretches. Deceased. (x) |
|
Cable, Glen |
trombone |
RJB's first trombone player; 1956. Deceased. (x) |
|
Caladin, Nick |
bass |
RJB's original bass player; 1956. (x) |
|
Campbell, Harold |
tuba |
RJB 2-3 stints, plus occ. Deceased. (x) |
|
Canonico, Mike |
trumpet |
|
|
Carubia, Mike |
cornet |
|
|
Cheatham, Doc |
trumpet |
RJB occ for single nights about mid-70s. Skip played with him also. Lived Jun 13, 1905 - Jun 2, 1997. Bio |
|
Cheles, Tom |
trombone, tuba, bass |
RJB a few times 1960. (x) |
|
Cimino, Dino |
bass |
RJB several times starting about 2000 through 2007. (x) |
|
drums |
Bio Joined RJB late 1970s; still subs. Jazz on Radio |
|
|
Cole, Cozy |
drums |
Filled in once about mid-1970s when RJB drummer didn't show up at away concert. May have refused pay when it was offered. Black musician.
Lived October 17, 1909 - January 29, 1981. |
|
Colonary, Jim |
bass |
RJB once in 1957. (x) |
|
Compo, Pete |
violin, bass |
RJB a couple occasions in mid-1990s. Deceased. (x) |
|
Connelly, Dick |
trumpet |
Member of the 1955 forerunner of RJB. Deceased. (x) |
|
keyboard |
RJB mostly since 2000. Bio |
|
|
Cutshall, Robert Dewees "Cutty" |
trombone |
RJB once, about 1965. Famous. Lived 1911-1968. |
|
Daggs, Dick |
bass |
RJB several times about 1972. Deceased. (x) |
|
drums |
||
|
Davern, John Kenneth "Kenny" |
clarinet |
RJB once, about 1994. Celebrity. Died Dec 2006. Bio & photo Kenny Davern on clarinet and soprano sax in 9 music videos. Select a video, then click on "more" to read complete notes. |
|
Davis, Ron "Spanky" |
cornet |
|
|
Davison, Wild Bill |
cornet |
RJB once, about late 1960s. Celebrity. Lived Jan 5, 1906 - Nov 14, 1989. Bio&photo 14 music videos. Select a video, then click on "more" to read complete notes. |
|
Day, Don |
trombone |
Member of the 1955 forerunner of RJB. (x) |
|
Delaney, Bill |
bass |
|
|
Delaney, Peg |
piano |
|
|
tuba, bass, cornet |
(x) RJB 2006 for first time. |
|
|
Dreissen, Jerry |
drums |
RJB a few times about mid-1980s. (x) |
|
Dunlap, Burt |
tuba |
RJB a couple of gigs, maybe 1970s & 1990s. (x) |
|
Dwyer, Hank |
drums |
RJB about 2 years, possibly in 1980s. Deceased. |
|
Egan, Bill |
trombone |
RJB occ late 1950s to early 1960s. Deceased. |
|
Englehart, Jerry |
trumpet, cornet, guitar |
RJB mid-1960s for a few years. Put together a book of chords for RJB performances, especially for new players. Deceased about 20 years. (x) |
|
Fairbank, Bruce |
trumpet |
RJB a couple of times in late 1990s in Syracuse & some boat cruises; never played the Fountain. Deceased. (x) |
|
Feldman, Rick |
bass |
RJB a few times in the mid-1970s. (x) |
|
Finn, Joe |
guitar |
|
|
Flanagan, Mike |
bass |
RJB a few times throughout 1990s. Outstanding piano tuner. Deceased. (x) |
|
Foote, Phil |
piano |
RJB mid-1980s about ten times. (x) |
|
Forgash, Tom |
clarinet |
RJB late 1950s. Played a couple of gigs and filled in for Skip once. (x) |
|
Frisbie, John |
tuba |
RJB, occ about late 1980s. Deceased. (x) |
|
Fuller, William "Bill" |
bass |
RJB mainly 70s-80s, but as late as 2006. Played many times. Black musician. Deceased. Died May 13, 2008, age 89. See obituary below. |
|
drums |
Joined RJB in 1960s while in medical school. Subs occasionally. Albany, NY ophthalmologist in 2006. |
|
|
Geiger, George |
trombone |
RJB late 1950s to early 1960s. Deceased. (x) |
|
Giordano, Vince |
tuba, bass, bass sax |
|
|
Graves, Carl |
cornet |
RJB a few times early 1960s. (x) |
|
Green, Ed |
bass |
RJB mid-1990s. (x) |
|
Grimes, Bill |
bass |
|
|
Haber, Harry |
drums |
RJB mid-1960s. (x) |
|
Hackett, Bobby |
cornet |
RJB once late 1980s. Celebrity. Bio |
|
Halsey, John |
piano |
|
|
Hankle, Glen |
banjo |
|
|
Hemmingford, John |
cornet |
RJB once in early 1980s. (x) |
|
Henk, Bill |
trumpet |
RJB mid-1990s. Deceased. (x) |
|
Hetko, Joe |
guitar |
RJB occ early 1980s to 2007. See & hear |
|
Hill, Dave |
drums |
RJB occ early 1980s. Deceased. (x) |
|
Hogan, Phil |
bass |
RJB early 1960s. (x) |
|
Horne, Ray |
piano |
RJB late 1960s. Deceased. (x) |
|
Horton, John |
trombone |
RJB occ from about 1963 to 2006. (x) |
|
Hubble, John Edgar "Ed" |
trombone, alto horn |
Joined RJB in 1995, played till about 2003. Celebrity. Also played with Louis & Lil Armstrong, Eddie Condon, Buddy Rich & many more. |
|
Hunsberger, Dick |
trombone, tuba |
RJB late 1990s. (x) |
|
Hutchinson, Gene |
drums |
|
|
Hyman, Laurie |
cornet, trumpet |
RJB late 1950s & early 1960s. (x) |
|
Jackson, Larry |
drums |
RJB early 1960s. (x) |
|
Jewett, Jim |
tuba, bass |
RJB steady about 12 years; late '60s into the '70s (x) |
|
clarinet |
RJB twice (2006 & early 2000s); also occ sit-in. (x) |
|
|
banjo, guitar |
RJB 2004 to 2009, plus earlier. Bio |
|
|
Kelly, George |
bass |
"One of the Van Schoick 1955 players." RJB many gigs throughout the late 1950s & 1960s. Brother of Jack Kelly. (x) |
|
Kelly, Jack |
trombone, bass, vocals |
RJB late 1950s. Deceased. (x)sd |
|
Kennell, Ed |
piano |
RJB about 1966. Deceased. (x) |
|
Kent, Earl |
drums |
RJB late 1950s. (x) |
|
King, Jim |
trombone |
RJB late 1950s. (x) |
|
Krawitz, Mike |
trombone |
RJB twice in 2003. (x) |
|
LaVoie, Don |
cornet, banjo |
RJB original member. He was also part of the Riverboat Six, which soon became the RJB. In and out of the band many times. Deceased. Died 2010 June 16, age 75. Obituary. |
|
Lawrence, Tom |
cornet |
RJB about early to mid-1960s. Deceased. (x) |
|
Lawyer, Jim |
tuba, bass, banjo, piano, drums, guitar |
RJB about 1957-68 then occ. Deceased. (x) |
|
banjo |
||
|
MacDougall, Bill |
tuba |
RJB late 1950s. |
|
Maheu, Jack |
clarinet |
RJB once mid-1980s.
Celebrity. 2007 lives in Florida. Bio
& photo Bio
CDs
|
|
Malo, Fred |
piano |
RJB late 1950s. (x) |
|
Mantell, Hank |
bass |
RJB about 1972 for brief period. (x) |
|
Mastren, Al |
trombone |
RJB occ mid-1970s. Brother of Carmen. Deceased. (x) |
|
Mastren, Carman |
guitar |
RJB mid-1970s. Deceased.
|
|
Mastriani, Paul |
keyboard, piano |
|
|
Matthews, Jimmy |
cornet |
"One of the three Cornetists in 1955-56 before Don LaVoie." Pre-RJB. (x) |
|
McPartland, Jimmy |
cornet |
RJB 3-4 times (concert guest). Appearances were about every 6-8 years beginning in the mid-1960s. Skip played for him several times as well. Deceased. |
|
Miller, Joe |
piano |
RJB late 1950s. Deceased. (x) |
|
Miller Joe |
cornet |
RJB mid-1990s a few times. (x) |
|
Miller, Marsh |
trombone |
RJB mid to late 1970s. (x) |
|
Monat, Paul |
cornet, tuba |
|
|
Monroe, Bob |
trombone |
RJB 1958-72. (x) |
|
Morin, Camille |
drums |
RJB a couple of times in mid-1970s. (x) |
|
Morris, Bobby |
trombone |
RJB late 1990s. (x) |
|
guitar |
RBJ occ 1980 to 2006. (x) |
|
|
Mulroy, John |
piano |
RJB late 1960s. (x) |
|
Muranyi, Joe |
clarinet |
RJB (concert guest 2-3 times about early 1980s)
|
|
Muraski, Stan |
piano |
RJB's original pianist; 1950s and part of 1960s, plus a couple of times since. (x) |
|
Murphy, Francis |
trumpet |
RJB early 1960s. Deceased. (x) |
|
O’Hare, Gene |
drums |
RJB once late 1950s. (x) |
|
Olsen, Ken |
trombone |
|
|
Osmun, Mimi |
trombone |
RJB early 1990s. (x) |
|
Palafian, Sam |
tuba |
RJB once late 1990s. Celebrity. (x) |
|
Palumbo, Nick |
clarinet |
RJB once mid-1980s. (x) |
|
Partch, Ron |
bass, trombone |
RJB a couple of times in late 1990s. (x) |
|
clarinet, soprano sax |
RJB leader 1956 to present. Bio |
|
|
Picotte, Dick |
trombone |
RJB 1956-1958. Living in NH in Nov 2006. Replaced by Bob Monroe. (x) |
|
Polcer, Ed |
cornet |
RJB 2-3 times as concert guest in 1990s. Celebrity. |
|
cornet, trumpet |
||
|
Pratico, Phil |
trumpet |
RJB occ late 1990s to early 2000s. (x) |
|
Pratt, Bobby |
piano |
RJB occ 1980s & 1990s. Celebrity. Brother of Norm. Deceased. CD |
|
Pratt, Colleen |
vocalist |
|
|
Pratt, Helen |
vocalist |
RJB 1973 to late 1990s. Deceased (died 10/2/09). My memorial page contains 2 obituaries. |
|
Pratt, Noreen |
vocalist |
RJB early 1990s. Daughter of Norm & Helen. |
|
Pratt, Norman H. "Norm" |
trombone |
RJB from 1972 till his death in 1994. |
|
Pring, Bobby |
trombone |
RJB a couple of times in mid 1980s. Celebrity. |
|
Purficato, Ralph |
drums |
Deceased (about 2002). (x) |
|
Ramage, Ken |
trombone, drums |
RJB many times 1960s. 2006 living Edinburgh, Scotland. (x) |
|
cornet, trumpet |
RJB 2004-2006 Bio
|
|
|
Saunders, Tom |
cornet |
RJB occ concert guest early 1960s to 1996. Celebrity. |
|
Scannell, Tom |
cornet, trumpet, flugelhorn |
RJB till 2003 from about 1963. |
|
Schiffer, Mike |
piano |
|
|
Sewell, Irv |
piano |
RJB mid-1970s. (x) |
|
piano |
RJB about late 1960s through 1980s. Rejoined band in 2006. (x) |
|
|
Slovak, Joe |
clarinet |
RJB occ early 1990s till his death about 2001. Deceased. (x) |
|
Sorrentino, Joe |
drums |
RJB late 1990s a couple of times. (x) |
|
Spring, Roy |
piano |
RJB regular in early 1960s. Deceased. (x) |
|
Stahl, Jack |
piano |
RJB in Oneonta a few times; late 1960s to early 1970s. (x) |
|
"Johnny Peppers" |
bass sax |
RJB once at RJB 40th anniversary at Roaring Brook, then weekend of Sep 11-12 2009 at the Fountain Restaurant, and several times later. |
|
Stover, Howard |
trombone |
RJB several gigs 1980s. (x) |
|
trombone |
RJB 2004 to present Bio |
|
|
Tobin, Bob |
bass |
RJB early 1960s. (x) |
|
Todd, Seymour |
piano |
RJB regular from time to time for 15-20 years from late 60's until death. Deceased. (x) |
|
Toigo, Pete |
bass |
RJB a couple of times in 2000s, before 2006. |
|
Tompson, Alan |
piano |
RJB once early 1990s. |
|
Turner, Ralph |
piano |
RJB about early to mid 1970's. Deceased. (x) |
|
Ulrich, John |
piano |
RJB early 1980s once in Syracuse as concert guest. (x) |
|
Vadala, Frank |
violin |
Never paid, "but an AF of M president & good fan & sit in friend." (x) |
|
Vignola, Frank |
guitar, banjo |
RJB concert guest early 1990s.
|
|
Waldburger, Dick |
acoustic bass |
RJB concert guest once about 2003. Celebrity. |
|
Walsh Jerry |
drums |
RJB a few gigs in 1960s. (x) |
|
Weaver, Gene |
piano |
RJB probably in the 1960s. Deceased. (x) |
|
bass |
RJB occ about 1995-2007 Bio
|
|
|
Wilcox, Speigel |
trombone |
RJB a few times in the
1990s. Celebrity. Played with Bix Beiderbecke & Paul Whiteman.
Deceased. |
|
Zandri, Dick |
trumpet |
One of the three original Cornetists from the early days of 1955 & 1956. (x) |
OBITUARIES
Austin, Harold J.
Fuller, William W. Sr.
LaVoie, Donald "Don"
Pratt, Helen Lynn (2 obituaries) - see memorial webpage
Austin, Harold J.
Austin, Harold J. -- NORTH GREENBUSH
Harold J. "Hal" Austin, 72, of Bloomingrove Drive, North Greenbush, died suddenly Monday evening, April 23, 2007 at Albany Memorial Hospital after having been stricken at his residence.
Born in Troy, he was the son of the late Sidney and Mary Agnes Warnock Austin.
He attended Watervliet Public Schools, graduating from Watervliet High School and from the State University of New York at Albany with a bachelor's degree in biology. He then began work at the NYS Department of Civil Service until his retirement in 1990, as the director of personnel. In his early years, Hal played piano with Skip Parson's Riverboat Jazz Band and had been an active golfer as well as an avid Yankees and N.Y. Giants fan. He was a member of the Loudonville Community Church.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda Peacock Austin; a daughter and her husband, Jill and Paul Bardwell of Rexford; a son, Steven "Terry" Austin of Mass.
The funeral service will be held on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. at the Loudonville Community Church, 374 Loudon Road (Rt. 9 and Crumitie Rd.), Loudonville, NY 12211 with the Rev. Michael Conley, assoc. pastor officiating. Friends are invited to call for one hour prior to the funeral service, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The interment will be held in Memory's Garden Cemetery in Colonie at the family's convenience. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make contributions in memory of Hal to the Missions Board of Loudonville Community Church, at the address above. The arrangements are under the direction of the Morris-Stebbins-Miner & Sanvidge Funeral Home, 312 Hoosick Street, Troy, NY 12180, (518) 272-5802.
Published in the Albany Times Union from 4/25/2007 - 4/26/2007
William W. Fuller Sr.
Fuller, William W. Sr. -- TROY
William W. Fuller Sr., 89, of Fifth Avenue, died Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at Samaritan Hospital.
Born in Troy, he was the son of the late Walter Fuller and Virginia Dennis Fuller and husband of the late Sadie Jones Fuller who died May 9, 1982.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran serving during World War II. Mr. Fuller worked at the Watervliet Arsenal for 35 years. He was a professional musician with the internationally acclaimed "Ink Spots." William was a life member of the Mt. Moriah Masonic Lodge #25 and Trinity Episcopal Church, Lansingburgh.
Survivors include three children, Frederick T. Fuller of Colo., Denise V. Fuller of Troy and William W. Fuller Jr. of Colonie; eight grandchildren, Simone Scott Kaigler (Joel) of Manlius, N.Y., Andrea Scott Khisa (Mike) of N.C., Shamie Fuller Royston (Rudy) of N.J., Tia Fuller of N.J., William Fuller III of Colonie, Ashton Fuller of Colo., Denise Fuller of Troy and Jessica Fuller of Colonie; five great-grand-children, Ashley Kaigler, Joel Kaigler Jr., Wekesa Khisa, Koleby and Kinyah Royston. Also survived by many special family members, friends and fans. William was predeceased by his daughter, the late Dr. Gloria Fuller Kimbrough.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 585 - 4th Avenue, Lansingburgh. Relatives and friends are invited to call between 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. at the church, prior to the service. Burial will follow in Memory's Garden Cemetery, Colonie.
Members of the Mt. Moriah Lodge #25 F & AM Mason of the Fifth District will be assembling Saturday, May 17, 2008 at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 585 4th Avenue, Lansingburgh at 9:30 a.m.
Published in the Albany Times Union from 5/15/2008 - 5/16/2008.
LaVoie, Donald E. "Don" LATHAM
Donald "Don" E. LaVoie, 75, of Latham, passed away peacefully on
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at Schuyler Ridge Rehabilitation Center in Clifton
Park. He was the devoted husband of Kate M. LaVoie.
Born in Troy, Don was the son of the late Wilfred Charles and Mildred Faille LaVoie.
Don was a US Army veteran and was employed as a draftsman with the NYS Thruway Authority and a renowned musician. Don was employed as a draftsman with the NYS Thruway Authority for 30 years, before retiring in 1994. Don was a self taught musician who started playing the coronet in his early teens. While still in high school, he formed his first band, 'Don LaVoie and his Starlighters'. While in the US Army, he played the coronet in the Army band. Don formed 'The Riverboat Jazz Band' with Skip Parsons in the mid-1950s. It was during this time that Don was introduced to the banjo. He quickly learned to play it and perfected his craft of playing New Orleans' style jazz, which he had loved since he was a kid. Although he became a very accomplished banjo player, it was the coronet that remained his passion. He was well known in this area and played with such bands as "The Riverboat Jazz Band," "The Don LaVoie Trio," "Don LaVoie's 1927 Music Machine," "The Jazz Cellar Six," "Reggies' Red Hot Feetwarmers," and many others. For several years, Don performed at Saratoga's Flat and Harness Tracks, on the Lake George Cruise Boats, Waterford's Canal Festival, The Garlic Festival, political events and at numerous parties during the Saratoga racing season, including Mary Lou Whitney's gala. In 1980, he played at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid where he received national television exposure.
Don was raised in Watervliet and graduated from St. Patrick's School and Watervliet High School, class of 1953. He married his wife, Kate on August 31, 1963 and they moved to Latham in 1971. Don was an avid NY Yankees fan and lifelong Frank Sinatra fan. In addition to his beloved wife, Kate; Don is survived by his children, Renee (Donald) Howe of Waterford and Donald (Jodi) LaVoie of Ballston Spa; his grandchildren, Kate Howe, Erin Howe and Maximus LaVoie, step-grandson, Steven Howe of Calif.; brother, Wilfred LaVoie, Jr. of Calif. and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Don is also survived by his cherished cat, Elmo.
Funeral service will
be held Monday, June 21, 2010 at 12:00 (noon) at St. Patrick's Church,
Watervliet, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Family and
friends are invited and may call at the Parker Bros. Memorial Funeral Home,
Watervliet on Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. Interment will be in St. Jean Baptiste
Cemetery in Troy. Condolence page at www.parkerbrosmemorial.com
Published in Albany Times Union on June 19, 2010