Pete Gemski's Favorite Concert - Faddis!

Pete Gemski with new 'weapon'.

Pete Gemski is the founder & leader of The Lighthouse Little Big Band - an 8-piece unit in St. Augustine that promotes creativity in the region by performing original arrangements as well as more famous ones. Pete plays valve trombone & bass trumpet in the band, but the instrument for most of his life is the trumpet; playing professionally from 11th grade on. He studied at Brown University, did graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School, post doctoral research at the Stanford University Medical School and put in 30 years at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Washington, DC. In DC he played in the Bill Potts Big Band, also performing at several inauguration Balls; in particular, Ronald Reagan's 2nd inauguration with the Benny Carter Big Band.

After retiring as Chief of the Department of Molecular Pathology at Walter Reed, he and wife Lenny moved to New Hampshire where he performed and expanded his "arsenal of brass weapons" to euphonium, baritone horn, valve trombone and bass trumpet. The Gemski's became St. Augustine residents in 2005. In 2012 The Lighthouse Little Big Band put out their

The Lighthouse Little Big Band

self-titled first cd featuring arrangements by Pete, Dave Wolpe, Ralph Martin, Larry Dickson and the late bassist, composer and member Frank Capek.

At 77 years young, Pete's 'bucket list' is to play all the brass instruments. He's currently learning the Bb tuba, with thoughts of forming a Dixieland group in the future. Below is his very entertaining anecdote about an encounter between two trumpet players...


Jon Faddis Quartet at The Wolf Trap, D.C. Area  November 24, 1989

(Renee Rosnes - piano, Louis Nash - drums, ????? - Bass (sorry, I can't remember----too many high notes played as I age as a trumpet player)

As is typical of Jon Faddis, he paid homage to Louis Armstrong by performing (ala Satchmo) "West End Blues" at the end of the set. A standing ovation from the
audience was almost universal. Faddis responded with a big grin and shared the moment with his group that also caught the essence of Satchmo's style in their playing. 

As Faddis walked off the stage, he stopped, turned to the audience and said "How about this?"  He then did Harry James' version of "Ciribiribin" for a few measures, this time having the style and sound associated with Harry James. Someone in the audience requested his version of Wynton---he smiled, took a proper concert posture and played several measures of the Hayden Trumpet Concerto as recorded at one time by Wynton---then gave it a Faddis touch by repeating the same measures octaves above. He then continued interacting with the audience saying "Ready for Miles?"---walked off the stage, returned wearing a borrowed long coat, turned his back to audience, stooped over with the horn pointing at the floor and started

L-R: Lewis Nash, Bill Charlap, Jon Faddis &
Renee Rosnes - from reneerosnes.coml

playing "Freddie Freeloader". Standing ovation again. "Any other requests?" he inquired.  The big mouth of yours truly took over and from the front row I said "How about the famous Faddis  Double C's?" Faddis grinned and said "How many?". Not to be outdone, I answered "100".  Because he 'clamed' on the 86th double C, I treasure an autographed program by Faddis to "Mr 86" on my music wall. PS--that's how I know the exact date of this memory.

Thanks, Pete, for a very fun concert story and for insight into the congeniality and good humor of a world-class star! - PCJ

Don Durkee's Favorite Concert - D.C. Festival!

Pianist Don Durkee is a Palm Coast resident who's been mighty busy over the years, working with familiar Florida jazz names like Linda Cole, Ray Guiser, Bill Doyle, Pat D'Aguanno, Ron Gillotti, Bill Prince, Jan Crawford, Roland Fleming, Barry Kelsey and many, many more! His attractive playing is characterized by both thoughtfulness and verve. Last year he released a wonderful trio album called "Our Delight".

Don with Pete Gemski 2012

Don attended an almost unbelievable happening during one of the greatest peaks of jazz: a festival sponsored by JFK's Music Committee of the People to People program. The festival took place at the Uline Arena (now the Washington Coliseum). Below is Don's telling of the incredible experience!


1st International Jazz Festival May 31 - June 3 1962

I went to this concert my senior year in High School... I was just getting into jazz, buying 33 1/3 rpm records and listening to them on an inexpensive record player which I had bought at a drug store for about $24.95.

I went to the Saturday evening event and it was a barn-burner. It looked like a sellout crowd because I
did not see many empty seats.Oscar Peterson Trio led

Oscar Peterson Trio, early sixties

off the set with guest artist Roy Eldridge followed by Gerry Mulligan Quartet. Horace Silver Quintet was next and then Herbie Mann. Dave Brubeck had his quartet, and then up stepped Monk with his unmistakable harmonic style and his quartet. The Clara Ward Singers provided a nice change of pace. Duke Ellington Orchestra led off with "Cottontail" at a very high tempo. I remember it had the whole place jumping. "Mood Indigo" followed by "Satin Doll" were next. I went down to the stage after the concert and spoke with several of the Ellington sidemen: Johnny Hodges, Aaron Bell, Cat Anderson and Paul Gonsalves. I got them to autograph my program as well.

Basie Band in 1962

I returned for the Sunday, June 3 concert. The Count Basie Orchestra opened to a packed house. I remember the fantastic trumpet section featuring solos by Thad Jones and Snooky Young. And yes, the drummer was a powerhouse named Sonny Payne. I think Frank Wess and Eddie Newman were also there in the sax section along with Marshall Royal. I remember Basie trying to wave the spotlight off him and onto the soloist then performing. He tried several times and the lighting man finally got the message. An uptempo chart called "Whirlybird" had the crowd going and then, of course, they ended with the immortal "One 'O Clock Jump". The Slide Hampton Octet was next followed by Gloria Lynne and the Earl May Trio.

Thelonious in NY 1962

Then the George Shearing Sextet.

I had a great two days there and saw/heard a lot of the top masters and legends of jazz. By the way, I don't
remember how much tickets cost, but they were not expensive. A lot of things were cheaper back then.

Thanks so much Don - for giving us a glimpse into such a momentous occasion for jazz and the world! You can check out some of Don's music and playing at his very stylish blog. - PCJ

Woody Herman at the Uline Arena;
photo courtesy of 1959 BHS Mustangs.

Bill Doyle's Favorite Concert - Dizzy!

Bill performing at 3 Dogs Grille in PC, 2012

Drummer Bill Doyle inaugurates our new poll for jazz musicians in Florida: What's the best jazz show you've ever seen? Not an easy question! We figured we'd begin by asking a few Palm Coast musicians. Locals who've been following jazz over the years here in PC are surely familiar with the solid & tasteful swinging of Bill Doyle. Bill studied with several teachers, including entrepreneur and co-founder of GRP records, Larry Rosen (who at the

Bill Doyle Trio backing up Cheryl Paige

time was backing up Andy Williams). Along with his own excellent trio, Bill has played with Floridian luminaries like Ray Guiser, former Basie vocalist Cheryl Paige & popular diva Linda Cole; as well as sensational Canadian trumpet player Mickey Erbe and guitarist Wayne Kirby.

Below are Bill's remembrances of his favorite concert:

Dizzy Gillespie - Birdland NYC 1961

I was 15 years old. My Dad, being a musician, allowed me to take a bus from New Jersey to Manhatten with my

friend to see Dizzy. At Birdland, we were pretty close to the bandstand. When Dizzy and his group started to play, my love for jazz became cast in stone. I do not recall all of the musicians who were in his group on that date, but I was in awe. I had been studying drums for 3 years, at the time, and this night left a huge impression. Also, his cheeks...unbelievable expansion when he was playing. I thought, "what about embouchure? I guess it doesn't matter because this man is great."

Live Dizzy recorded around the same time!

Birdland, at the time, was periodically open to teens (section called the "peanut gallery"). My friend, Castig and I talked "Tiny" the host, into letting us sit closer... He let us near  the band...I remember going down the steps, mentioned in the tune "Birdland".


Thank you Bill, for the great jazz flashback, and for getting the new poll off to a fantastic start! Here is Bill's Youtube page; and we'll be keeping you posted about his trio's upcoming dates! - PC Jazz