Skip Parsons' Riverboat Jazz Band -
Historical Photos
by Cliff Lamere 29 Apr 2006, revised 11 June 2011
This is one year after the 1957 formation of the group.
(image from internet newspaper, edited by Cliff Lamere)
Skip Parsons, Tom Scannell, Hank Dwyer (drums), Norm Pratt, Ernie Belanger (sousaphone), and Don LaVoie (banjo).
The Skip Parsons' Riverboat Jazz Band was the official Jazz Band for the February 1980 Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid, NY. Hired by ABC-TV, the RJB was in Lake Placid for two weeks and was broadcast on international television.
According to Skip, "The RJB was selected to be the first thing on Documentary Tape in the Smithsonian Institute." (photographer unknown, photo from Skip Parsons)
At a party at the Governor's Mansion, Albany, NY, about 1984 or 1985.
Rich Skrika (piano), Ernie Belanger (sousaphone), New York Governor Mario Cuomo,
Gene Hutchinson (drums), Skip Parsons (clarinet), Tom Scannell (cornet), and Norm Pratt (trombone). (L-R)
(photo taken by Governor's official photographer)
(Photo from Rich Skrika)
Mendelssohn Club of Albany, NY on May 15, 1987 at Chancellor's Hall in Albany, NY (Myron Hermance, conductor).
Skip Parsons' Riverboat Jazz Band players from L-R are Rich Skrika, Ernie Belanger, Skip Parsons, Tom Scannell,
Norm Pratt, and Tom D'Andrea. This was a standing room only performance.
(photo by Walt Huening; photo from Skip Parsons)