Howard Rumsey, Bass, 1917, Brawley, CA
First, Howard studied drums and then switched to the bass while in college. His first important job was with Vido Musso's band in the late '30s. Howard next went with Stan Kenton in 1941 when Stan formed his first band. He later worked as a freelance in Southern California before forming his own group in 1949. This group became the house band at the Lighthouse Cafe in HormosaBeach. Howard remained associated with this club for twenty years, eventually becoming part owner. During this period the Lighthouse became an important center for innovative jazz on the West Coast. From 1950 to1960 Rumsey's group, known as the Lighthouse Allstars included such distinguished sidemen as Jimmy Giuffre, Shorty Rogers, Stan Levey, Max Roach, and many other prominant players. In the early '60s this group was gradually replaced by others, and by 1968 Rumsey ceased playing. In 1972 he opened a new club, Concerts By The Sea, in Redondo Beach, California.
Joe Bushkin, Piano, 1916, New York, NY
Joe played trumpet as well as the piano. He began playing professionally at the Roseland Ballroom in New York with Frank LaMarr in 1932. In1935 he worked at The Famous Door and also recorded with Billie Holiday and with Bunny Berigan. He worked regularly with Eddie Condon, Louis Prima and Muggsy Spanier during the latter '30s. From 1940 to 1942 he was a member of Tommy Dorsey's orchestra, with which he recorded his popular "Oh! Look At Me Now". After military service he replaced Mel Powell as the pianist in Benny Goodman's band. In the early '50s he was the house pianist at The Embers in New York and toured and recorded with Louis Armstrong. During the '50s and '60s Bushkin led groups of his own, and then stopped playing for about five years. In the mid '70s he worked for Bing Crosby, and during the '80s he again worked in New York.
Al Hirt, Trumpet, 1922, New Orleans, LA
During the early '40s Al studied classical trumpet at the Cincinnati Conservatory, and at the same time began listening to recordings by Harry James and Roy Eldridge. Before returning to New Orleans in the late '40s, he spent some time with the bands of Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey. Back in New Orleans, Al became involved almost exclusively with Dixieland jazz, working as a sideman and leading groups of his own. By 1960 Al had a national following, and during the mid '60s he released two albums that became huge hits; "Our Man In New Orleans", and his country-music hit "Java". Around this time Hirt was probably the best known trumpeter in the country, admired for his technique and his showmanship. Al Hirt died in 1999.
