JAM Magazine: February/March 1997 Issue: Scrapple From the Apple

by Wilma Dobie

(Guest columnist Wilma Dobie is a veteran journalist known for her "Twilight Jazz" programs presented at the Overseas Press Club in the 1970s and '80s. Earl "Fatha" Hines and Maxine Sullivan served as honorary co-presidents of the informal OPS Jazz Club. Now a resident of Florida, Wilma currently does p.r. for the American Federation of Jazz Societies and the "Statesmen of Jazz" featuring internationally known musicians 65 years and older. I met Wilma via this column and learned that we share a mutual love for and dedication to jazz. -- Russ Dantzler)

After 70 Years, Sax Vets Celebrate a Reunion
It was some 70 years ago that Benny Carter and Benny Waters parted as best of friends from Charlie Johnson's band. After playing shoulder to shoulder for two years during the jazz heyday of Small's Paradise in Harlem, they shared a common bond. Each achieved his first professional recognition in this band, and each made his first recording with Charlie Johnson's Paradise Ten for Victor/Emerson Records. That was in 1928.

After all these years, once again Waters and Carter share a common bond: the American Federation of Jazz Societies. Annually, the AFJS presents its coveted "Benny Carter Award" for outstanding achievement in jazz. And in 1995, the AFJS launched "Statesmen of Jazz" of which Benny Waters is a founding member. It would seem then, that with this new bond, there was an odds-on chance of the two running into each other after all these years. They eventually did; but not just by "chance."

Russ Dantzler of Hot Jazz Management (and also an AFJS member) was on the alert for the possibility of a Waters/Carter reunion. He, Dantzler, had already heard from Waters of his sincere regard for Carter. With that bit of information stored away, Dantzler kept an eye out for Carter's next New York appearance.

As fate would have it, Carter was scheduled to appear at the swank Iridium Club the same week in October Waters was appearing at Sonny's in New York. At last, a possible reunion! It was left to Dantzler to make the call to Carter.

"I was feeling somewhat fearful about doing that," says Dantzler. "I'd never met Benny Carter and I felt it might seem a little brassy for me to call and say, 'is it OK if Benny Waters and I come by to say hello' not to mention 'Benny would love to sit in.'"

Waters didn't offer much comfort, either.

"You have to keep in mind," he said to Dantzler, "it has been a long, long time since we played together. He might not think I can still play after all these years! I wouldn't blame him if he'd back away."

When Carter came to the phone, Dantzler had barely breathed the name "Benny Waters" when Carter said, "Benny Waters?! Are you kidding? Of course he can sit in!" All arrangements and accommodations were promptly made.

It was a Sunday night to remember at the Iridium. Although the Yankees had just won the World Series for the first time in 17 years, the Waters-Carter reunion was the talk of the town. The impromptu jam, held before a spellbound audience, began with Carter graciously turning over the microphone to Waters who then addressed the crowd.

"Sixty or seventy years ago, when I got to sit next to this guy, he was my idol. I am proud to play with Benny Carter again after 70 years and to be able to say he is still my idol. Hail to the King!"

It was an exuberant performance and a moment of triumph that left the audience overwhelmed.

And, none so delightfully overwhelmed as "the king" himself.

RETURN TO FEBRUARY/MARCH 1997 MAIN INDEX

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© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		by Wilma Dobie (Guest columnist Wilma Dobie is a veteran journalist known for her "Twilight Jazz" programs presented at the Overseas Press Club in the 1970s and '80s. Earl "Fatha" Hines and Maxine Sullivan served as honorary co-presidents of the informal OPS Jazz Club. Now a resident of Florida, Wilma currently does p.r. for the American Federation of Jazz Societies and the "Statesmen of Jazz" featuring internationally known musicians 65 years and older. I met Wilma via this column and learned that we share a mutual love for and dedication to jazz. -- Russ Dantzler) After 70 Years, Sax Vets Celebrate a Reunion It was some 70 years ago that Benny Carter and Benny Waters parted as best of friends from Charlie Johnson's band. After playing shoulder to shoulder for two years during the jazz heyday of Small's Paradise in Harlem, they shared a common bond. Each achieved his first professional recognition in this band, and each made his first recording with Charlie Johnson's Paradise Ten for Victor/Emerson Records. That was in 1928. After all these years, once again Waters and Carter share a common bond: the American Federation of Jazz Societies. Annually, the AFJS presents its coveted "Benny Carter Award" for outstanding achievement in jazz. And in 1995, the AFJS launched "Statesmen of Jazz" of which Benny Waters is a founding member. It would seem then, that with this new bond, there was an odds-on chance of the two running into each other after all these years. They eventually did; but not just by "chance." Russ Dantzler of Hot Jazz Management (and also an AFJS member) was on the alert for the possibility of a Waters/Carter reunion. He, Dantzler, had already heard from Waters of his sincere regard for Carter. With that bit of information stored away, Dantzler kept an eye out for Carter's next New York appearance. As fate would have it, Carter was scheduled to appear at the swank Iridium Club the same week in October Waters was appearing at Sonny's in New York. At last, a possible reunion! It was left to Dantzler to make the call to Carter. "I was feeling somewhat fearful about doing that," says Dantzler. "I'd never met Benny Carter and I felt it might seem a little brassy for me to call and say, 'is it OK if Benny Waters and I come by to say hello' not to mention 'Benny would love to sit in.'" Waters didn't offer much comfort, either. "You have to keep in mind," he said to Dantzler, "it has been a long, long time since we played together. He might not think I can still play after all these years! I wouldn't blame him if he'd back away." When Carter came to the phone, Dantzler had barely breathed the name "Benny Waters" when Carter said, "Benny Waters?! Are you kidding? Of course he can sit in!" All arrangements and accommodations were promptly made. It was a Sunday night to remember at the Iridium. Although the Yankees had just won the World Series for the first time in 17 years, the Waters-Carter reunion was the talk of the town. The impromptu jam, held before a spellbound audience, began with Carter graciously turning over the microphone to Waters who then addressed the crowd. "Sixty or seventy years ago, when I got to sit next to this guy, he was my idol. I am proud to play with Benny Carter again after 70 years and to be able to say he is still my idol. Hail to the King!" It was an exuberant performance and a moment of triumph that left the audience overwhelmed. And, none so delightfully overwhelmed as "the king" himself. RETURN TO FEBRUARY/MARCH 1997 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.