“Bunny” Berigan Jubilee Band

Begins

By Julie Flemming

At the conclusion of the 2011 Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee there was a sigh of worry that went through the audience. It had just been announced by Rev. Al Townsend that he was retiring and bring to an end the years of the Bunny Berigan Memorial Band. The Rev. Al Townsend had put this band together years previous to help continue the weekend dedicated to the memory of the great Trumpet player, Bunny Berigan. Rev. Al had filled his band with leading musicians that had Wisconsin ties….. and now it was done. Everyone wondered-----would there be another Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee?

Shortly after the conclusion of the 2011 weekend, Bob Schulz stepped forward and volunteered to put together a “new” band to play at the 2012, May 18 – 20, event. It was agreed that along with the newly formed band there would have to be a new name and so the Bunny Berigan Jubilee Band had it’s birth and the Leader would be Bob Schulz.

Bob Schulz is an extremely popular and talented cornetist-bandleader-vocalist from San Anselmo, California. He is the leader of the Frisco Jazz Band and a very busy guy on the music scene. A native of Wonewoc, Wisconsin, Bob learned to play trumpet and cornet at an early age. He was a school band director for 17 years before joining the legendary Turk Murphy Jazz Band of San Francisco in 1979. He is the foremost exponent of the Bob Scobey trumpet style and is an outstanding vocalist in the tradition of Clancy Hayes. Currently, Bob travels around America and highlights cruises either as a guest artist or leading his own Frisco Jazz Band in excellent Dixieland Jazz.

Bob Hirsch, a native of Viroqua, Wisconsin, and now living in Sacramento, California, began playing piano at an early age and by the time he was 11, he was playing duets with Freddie Slack. His interest in classic jazz was supported by his parents and stimulated by his discovery of Eddie Condon and his New York jazz bands. As one of the premier pianists in the country, Bob has chalked up an impressive list of performances with great musicians over the years, including Clancy Hayes, Wild Bill Davison, Tommy Saunders, and many others. He led his own band in La Crosse for 20 years and was co-leader of the Saunders-Hirsch All Stars for 25 years.

Doug Finke, Trombone player, discovered jazz in the 1950’s when he was a young band student in Elmhurst, Illinois. Doug actually was not a part of the music world from 1964 to 1996 while he raised a family and had a corporate career. In 1997 he assembled some of the finest musicians in the country to play classic jazz and called it The Independence Hall Jazz Band, in honor of Philadelphia where he was living. The year 2003 saw Doug move to Louisville, Kentucky where he now lives. He is the leader of the West Market Street Stompers in Louisville and plays regularly around the country with The Bob Schulz Frisco Jazz Band. His calendar is full of engagements.

Scott Anthony, was born in Summit, New Jersey, now resides in San Francisco. He is a Banjo/Guitar player and vocalist. He started playing the banjo at 11 years old and kept playing through his college years at Dartmouth and into graduate school. Scott moved to San Francisco in 1974 where he joined Turk Murphy at his club, Earthquake McGoon’s, playing at McGoon’s on Pier 39 until it closed. Scott makes his living now as a professional musician, computer programmer/consultant, and creator of custom guitars. His own Banjo is a thing of beauty that everyone should see.

Kim Cusack, coming from Warrenville, Illinois, is one of the best jazz clarinetist/alto saxophonists in the country. He has performed and recorded with the Salty Dogs, Bob Schulz Frisco Jazz Band, Red Rose Jazz Band and with jazz legends such as Georg Brunis, Wild Bill Davison and Turn Murphy. Kim now plays in Madison, Wisconsin, with David MacGregor’s Vagabond Reeds and actually will be appearing with them on Sunday, May 20, 2012 as another part of the Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee.

Rich MacDonald, coming from Winona, Minnesota, is a professional jazz drummer/vibist and professor of music at Winona State University. He has been a performer in the jazz lab bands at the University of North Texas and as performer and director for jazz ensembles at the University of Northern Colorado. He has also performed with many jazz artists such as George Benson, Eddie Daniels, Slide Hampton, Milt Hinton, Rich Matteson, Arturo Sandoval and others.

Terry Grosskopf, Bass and Tuba player, comes from LaCrosse, Wisconsin. He has been a member of The Wonderful World Jazz Band led by the Rev. Al Townsend. Terry is known for his wonderful bowed bass solos. He played with the Brian Gurl Productions/Guy Lombardo Orchestra from 2003 to 2011. At this time he is an Independent Music Professional.

Reviewing the line-up of the Bunny Berigan Jubilee Band, one can see that there is a real treat in store for those attending the Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee, May 18-20, 2012 in Fox Lake, Wisconsin. This band will be featured at Mullin’s Drive-In and the American Legion Club House on Friday. Saturday they will appear twice at the Fox Lake Community Center. On Sunday morning they will play for the graveside service in honor of Bunny and his daughter Joyce Berigan-Hansen and at the Fox Lake Community Center in the afternoon.

For further information on times and tickets one can call 920-928-6094 or access the web at www.bunnyberiganjazzjubilee.com