Member List of Skip Parsons' RJB

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
or	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)
Allen, Arvid	keyboard	RJB 2005-2006 only. (x)
Allen, Bruce	drums	RJB several stints int the 1960s and 1970s. (x) ???????????
Artin, Tom	trombone	Played with RJB at the NY Governor's Mansion about late 80’s. (click to enlarge) Photographer / / (12 videos)
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	RJB several times in early 2000s.
Bedell, Buddy	tenor sax	RJB one time in mid-1970s. Deceased. (x)
Belanger, Ernie	tuba, sousaphone, electric bass	RJB 1973 to 2009. Bio
Balsch, Mike	drums	RJB once late 1950s (x)
Benedict, Mike	drums	RJB 8-10 times from 1980s to 2006. (x) on vibes /
Bergevin, Mike	drums	RJB late 1990s to early 2000. (x)
Biagi, Giampaolo	drums	RJB several times from 1975. (x) / (11)
Bill, Ron	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	RJB occ since about 1968-2000s. (x) (7)
Carubia, Mike	cornet	RJB once. "Appeared w. us at our 40th weekend 1996"
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)
Coakley, Tim	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. (10 photos, 2 cuts). (duet w. Gene Krupa) (with Roy Eldridge, Coleman Hawkins, etc.) (a recording with Frankie Newton) 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)
Crain, Rennie	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)
D'Andrea, Tom	drums	I saw him in RJB 2004-2006 and earlier. Bio-1 Bio-2
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	RJB once about 1995. Celebrity. (4) Bio&photo
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	RJB a couple of times about late 1990s.
Delaney, Peg	piano	RJB once about mid-1990s. (8 cuts)
Downs, Rich	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. (hidden)
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	RJB once mid-1990s. (3 cuts)
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.
Gabriels, Forrest	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	RJB once late 1990s. Celebrity. (interview) (bass sax)
Graves, Carl	cornet	RJB a few times early 1960s. (x)
Green, Ed	bass	RJB mid-1990s. (x)
Grimes, Bill	bass	RJB (early 1980s?)
Haber, Harry	drums	RJB mid-1960s. (x)
Hackett, Bobby	cornet	RJB once late 1980s. Celebrity. Bio (6) Lived Jan 31, 1915 - June 7, 1976.
Halsey, John	piano	RJB late 1990s to early 2000s.
Hankle, Glen	banjo	RJB through 1960s and 1970s.
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. Bio & photo
Hunsberger, Dick	trombone, tuba	RJB late 1990s. (x)
Hutchinson, Gene	drums	RJB about ten years, mostly in the 1980s. (x)
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)
Joseph, Ron	clarinet	RJB twice (2006 & early 2000s); also occ sit-in. (x)
Kebabjian, Eddy	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. (May 1980) (Apr 2006)
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)
Lunsford, Carl	banjo	RJB about 1957-58. Celebrity. Now living California.
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. Bio
Mastriani, Paul	keyboard, piano	RJB occ. 1990s to 2010. Lives Florida 2007.
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. Bio
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	RJB a few times around 2000-2003.
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)
Mulleda, Bernie	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) (9 photos) CD Satchmo letter
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	RJB occ till 2003.
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)
Parsons, Skip	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. (click to enlarge)
Ponder, Sam	cornet, trumpet	RJB in 2006 for first time.
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	RJB. Daughter of Norm &Helen.
Pratt, Helen	vocalist	RJB 1973 to late 1990s. Deceased (died 10/2/09). My memorial page contains 2 obituaries. Wife of Norm. (top two photos)
Pratt, Noreen	vocalist	RJB early 1990s. Daughter of Norm & Helen.
Pratt, Norman H. "Norm"	trombone	RJB from 1972 till his death in 1994. Deceased.
Pring, Bobby	trombone	RJB a couple of times in mid 1980s. Celebrity. Photo & Bio
Purficato, Ralph	drums	Deceased (about 2002). (x)
Ramage, Ken	trombone, drums	RJB many times 1960s. 2006 living Edinburgh, Scotland. (x)
Rancourt, Mo	cornet, trumpet	RJB 2004-2006 Bio (4)
Saunders, Tom	cornet	RJB occ concert guest early 1960s to 1996. Celebrity. Listen (2 cuts)
Scannell, Tom	cornet, trumpet, flugelhorn	RJB till 2003 from about 1963. (right)
Schiffer, Mike	piano	RJB mid-1980s. Listen (6 cuts) Listen (7 cuts)
Sewell, Irv	piano	RJB mid-1970s. (x)
Skrika, Rich	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)
Steenstra, Johnathan "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)
Strobeck, Woody	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. (click on photo to enlarge it.)
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. (7 CDs) Interview
Waldburger, Dick	acoustic bass	RJB concert guest once about 2003. Celebrity. (6)
Walsh Jerry	drums	RJB a few gigs in 1960s. (x)
Weaver, Gene	piano	RJB probably in the 1960s. Deceased. (x)
Wetmore, Tom	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. (foreground, 1994)
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.

Donald "Don" LaVoie

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

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