In Memorial of
those Musicians No Longer With US
MASON "COUNTRY" THOMAS August 23, 2011
Country is the consummate musician's musician, playing all the reeds as well as string bass and trombone.. He has played many of the big bands, including five years in Las Vegas. His bass saxophone in the early days at Jacques provided the quartet with both an underlying support bass line and some of the most beautiful solo work ever heard on this unusual instrument.
MORT LANGSTAFF December 7, 2009
Mort was a well known solo piano player as well as a member of many different bands since the early fifties when he was with the Air Force Band. He played with us regulalyr at our Westlawn Inn gig.
WALLY GARNER August 24, 2005
David "Wally" Garner died on August 24,
2005 of complications from lung cancer. He had been a member and musical
leader of the Not-So-Modern Jazz Quartet since 1990, a span of 15 years.
He will be missed by all who
came to know him, play with him and hear him. He has played many venues over a
50 year period, including a long stint for Sunday brunch at the four seasons
with Larry Eanet and Tommy Cecil. He joined the NSMJQ in 1990 when Mac
McGown the original reed player could no longer perform, and became the musical
soul of the band. Wally chose his instrument at age nine after hearing
Benny Goodman on the radio. He remembered paying 35 cents to listen to Goodman
play two live shows a day at Washington's Capitol Theater in 1937 and 1938. Born
in Georgetown and lately a resident of Falls Church, Wally studied with Tommy
Dorsey, trombonist Raymond Casey, and Goodman saxophonist Lee Hardesty. Wally,
of course, styled himself in the Goodman tradition, and has appeared in concert
at the Smithsonian, Blues Alley, Manassas Jazz Festival, and the Kennedy Center
Theater.
WILD BILL WHELAN August 21, 2003
Wild B
ill Whelan, a long time member of
the Not-So-Modern Jazz Quartet died on August 21, 2003. Wild
Bill was a fixture on the Washington area jazz scene for over forty years as a
trumpet player, playing in the style of Bill Davidson. He is known for his many
years at the old Bayou. In recent years Bill has taken up the string bass,
playing a strong and melodious beat. In spite of his many physical difficulties
which kept him from playing his instrument, he continued to sing with us at our
regular Thursday night jam sessions until just two weeks before his
death. Bill was a great supporter of
traditional jazz, and generous in his support of musicians both accomplished and
beginners. His encouragement to beginners resulted in many fine new
musicians playing the jazz scene.
Members of the NSJMQ No Longer With Us
William (Bucky) Buckingham Piano*
Jim Green Tenor Sax
Tom Nieman Piano
Monroe (Mac) McGown Clarinet*
Steve Jordan Rhythm Guitar
William (Billy) Goodall Bass
Dave Kaseman Reeds
Ron Kirkpatrick Rhythm Guitar
Frank Borror Bass*
William (Wild Bill) Whelan Bass, Vocals 2003
Wally Garner Clarinet 2005
Charles LaBarbara Guitar 2007
Larry Eanet Piano 2008
Mort Langstaff Piano 2009
Alan Webber Trombone 2011
Mason Country Thomas Clarinet, Bass 2011
*Original Members of the NSMJQ
Jam Session
Every
Thursday
7:30 - 10:00 p.m.
St. Elmo's
Coffee Pub
2300 Mt. Vernon Ave. Alexandria, Virginia
We are presently in our our 15th year at St. Elmo's
703-739-9268
Our CD is available - goto CDs