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The Telegram, Toronto, Fri., Aug. 26, 1960

McNamara's Bandwagon

By Helen McNamara

OSCAR PETERSON, who is usually one step ahead of everyone else in more ways than one, is still majoring in the art of upmanship.

Just this past week, for example, he gave what could well be the first cocktail party of the season, to announce that the Advanced School of Contemporary Music which could well be the first school of its kind, will soon begin its fall term.

Last year the school attracted 16 students. By October 3 of this year there could be anywhere from 50 to 100 enrolled, which bears up our theory that the Dean knew what he was doing when he and his faculty (Ray Brown, Ed Thigpen and Phil Nimmons) decided that it was time aspiring young jazz musicians were given proper guidance and help.

As they had probably discovered for themselves long ago, it is not the easiest thing in the world for jazz students to acquire experience. One of the best training grounds is the night club, but then you have to have some experience to get there in the first place.

The answer, say the ASCM staff (which this year will also include trumpeter Erich Traugott and trombonist Butch Watanabe) is to provide schooling designed especially for jazz students.

For that reason, a student will be given a weekly lesson on his instrument, plus compulsory skeleton courses on piano, in composition and theory, but, most important of all, the student will be asked to take part in experimental group playing. For example, a bass player will sit in with Oscar and Ed while Ray Brown offers advice and criticism. That could be an education in itself.

To top it off, there'll be a course in music appreciation, with lectures, discussions and listening periods conducted by visiting musicians. This is absolutely necessary, Peterson maintains, for there are far too many young musicians who are not even aware of the origins of jazz, much less some of it's greatest creators.

Like we said, the Dean is still one step ahead.

Vivienne Stenson, astute Toronto promoter and press agent, was so impressed by the Buffalo Jazz Festival last weekend that she says it's the best festival she's ever attended.

"The audience was there to listen and it reacted intelligently." she said.

The programming was well planned; the sound system was excellent. and the six German shepherd dogs kept order, although there was one casualty. According to Miss Stenson, Al Celley, Duke Ellington's road manager was nipped. "I think it was just a friendly bite, though," she said.

Regarding the Ellington band, she wonders about a newspaper report stating that Patti Leeds sang with the band. "The only one who sang with the Duke was Lillian Greenwood," she said.

Every moment of the music was enjoyed, although she had to admit that whoever is on last must expect to have people leave. "That's what we did when Louis Armstrong came on at the end, but actually he was playing the same things he always does. It was like putting on Muzak. Good Music to Go Home To By!"

Morris Sobel announces that the Westover resumes its Dixieland policy on Sept. 10. In the meantime, the Archie Ginsberg Trio, featuring Selma Black, will hold forth next week in The Basin Street Room . . . Next week it's the Ramsey Lewis Trio at the Town Tavern . . . On TV Anne Maris Moss, the Hagood Hardi Quartet Vancouver trombonist Dave Robbins and his orchestra will be seen on Parade next Tuesday night on CBLT.

. . . Jazz will be back at Le Coq Dor next week when Woody Herman's band comes in for a four-night date, starting Monday.

Listen to Helen on "Audio" every second Friday at 11.05 a.m. over CJBC.

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