Barney Bigard Tribute video

Please click here to see a 6 minute video clip of my "Vintage Jammers" performing Mood Indigo as a tribute to my late friend, Barney Bigard. The 101st anniversary of his birth occurred a week before this session was taped.

My friend Bill Harre from Gaylord, Michigan is featured on piano along with myself on clarinet. Some comments on Mr. Bigard conclude this video that was taped on March 14, 2007. The clip opens with a photo of Barney and Dottie Bigard that I believe I took at a jazz picnic in Glendale, CA circa 1966 and closes with a photo taken by the late Dr. Ed Lawless of Barney and myself around that same time in Winnetka, Ca. (see above)

Once again I wish to express my profound appreciation to the musicians who keep showing up at my Mizell Senior Center jam sessions every week. As has become the norm, the room was packed beyond seating capacity with "snow birds" from all over the world who are inclined to visit Palm Springs this time of the year and our "regulars" who continue to be with us throughout the summer months when "hot" jazz is our only option.

Finally a special thanks to Dr. Petermann who bravely operated a video camera for the first time in his life as he captured the footage shown in the clip. We'd prefer to describe his efforts as being "artistic" rather than admit that we didn't show him how to focus or use the zoom features on the camera. In any case, I'm delighted that these special moments were captured and that we can share them with you.

Desert Swing 'N Dixie Festival a success!

My guys played fantastically well!
Dick Broadie and his Unusual Suspects sounded suspicially great at a recent jazz festival in Palm Springs.
pictured: some of Roy Bain, bass; Dick Broadie, keyboard; JackDavis, clarinet; JimOgden, trumpet; Russ Gremillot, trombone. Not pictured is our great drummer, Terry Boyne. I was delighted the way my Unusual Suspects performed in their usually excellent manner. I'd like to thank the members of Coyote Hills Jazz Band for joining us at our jam session set.

Thank you Desert Sun and Richard Guzman

Please click here to see the Palm Springs Desert Sun's article about my weekly jam session. Be sure to click on the Audio Slideshow Senior Jazz link on the Desert Sun's website to actually see and hear us perform. I'm not certain how long this stuff will be online so I encourage you to visit it as soon as possible.

Some Jam Sessions

Mizell Senior Center and American Legion gigs in Palm Springs

Regular Jam Sessions are held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 every Wednesday at the Mizell Senior Center in Palm Springs. The Jam Sessions are organized and led by Dick Broadie, who was once recognized as one of the most interesting men in the Coachella Valley. Dick Broadie is one of those unique talents that the desert is proud to have as their very own. He is one of those rare and gifted musicians that plays numerous instruments, and plays them well. His resume includes a long list of performances with many headline acts that include Frank Sinatra, Hoagy Carmichael and Buddy Rogers to name only a few. You can catch Dick Broadie performing for lunch from 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. every Monday at the Mizell Senior Center, 480 South Sunrise Way in Palm Springs, and on Friday evenings from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m., at the American Legion Hall, 400 North Belardo Road.

Listen to a sample of my weekly jazz jam session.

Click on the arrow to hear KWXY radio personality Scott Ellsworth's broadcast of "Take the A Train" from our Feb 7, 2007 jam session along with his recitation of a relevant poem and some cogent observations. (total playing time is about 12 minutes)

Our musicians range from very professional to very not professional. Keep in mind that we have no music to guide us (or get in our way) along with some musicians who can ONLY play while reading music. Our soloists do some nice work but, from his grave, Spike Jones may be jealous of our first and last choruses! The term "cacophony" rather well describes the efforts of our 20+ musicians during those magical if not musical moments. But every thing's really alright since the objective of our session has little to do with music and everything to do with camaraderie and fun.

I've been hosting this session at the Mizell Senior Center in Palm Springs every Wednesday from 10 to noon weekly for about 7 years. If you are (or think you might be) a musician, stop by and bring your "axe" (instrument). Listeners are welcome as well. Come early or you may have to stand. For reasons not fully understood, we usually pack the house. And, again, we do have fun!

You may remember Scott Ellsworth for his wonderful "Scott's Place" that was on the air on KFI in Los Angeles in the 1960s wherein he interviewed and played the music of virtually every significant jazz artist who lived or performed there.


Below is the poem that Vi Grisanti mailed to Mr. Ellsworth. She was kind enough to give me a copy of it as well. I am delighted by it! Thank you Vi!

A Tribute To Broadie's "Vintage Jammers"

Here they come from all walks of life, with their special talents.
Some come early, some later, all lugging their precious instruments in their weathered cases. A few at a slower pace than others, all headed for the same destination.
You wonder, "Are they going to make it?"
At a glance, you begin to think you're in the wrong place.
You thought you were going to a jam session. These guys don't look like they could do very much.
Then Broadie asks, "What shall we play?" Someone yells out a title. They pick up their instruments and something magical happens. The room starts to jump with energy. Their musical talent fills the air, and the audience is transformed to another place, another time.
They are masters of their music, ageless, and very sure of themselves. These wonderful sounds come from their very souls, doing what they love to do, with such vibrance!
The audience feels fortunate to be in their midst, and everyone is young again.