THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 9, 1995 TAG: 9506080180
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 11 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: SENIORS: PRIME TIME
SOURCE: Pam Starr
LENGTH: Long : 102 lines
While many people have trouble recalling where they put their car keys, Calvin Green can remember the exact details of events that happened 50 years ago.
The 76-year-old man is one of the last of the big band musicians in Hampton Roads. And when it comes to his past as a trumpet player during the Depression and recovery years, his memory is sharper than an elephant's.
He can tell you the time, place and date of every performance, what band he played with, who the musicians were and how much they got paid for a night's work. He remembers what songs they played at each gig, what the dancers wore and even what the weather was like.
Since 1935 Green has kept a detailed account of his life as a dance orchestra musician and has compiled that history into a thick booklet entitled ``Fond Memories of a Young Musician.''
``I did it as a hobby, for the fun of it,'' said the tall and thin Green with a shrug. ``Several stories in the paper (on the old days of big band music) over the years prompted my interest.''
Green started his short career at the tender age of 14, when he started taking lessons from Joe Resta of Norfolk. He was a quick study and joined the South Norfolk High School orchestra just a few months later. The following year, 1934, Green joined the local musicians union and was hired by the Reggie Davis orchestra as first trumpet player for weekend engagements. Other bands followed in quick succession: Buster Asbel, Chick Ciccone, Kirby Smith, Don Val, Clark Godfrey, Earl Bennett, the High Hatters.
``I am proud of that . . . playing professionally at 15,'' Green said, thumbing through his booklet. ``Most of the bands I played with were 10-piece orchestras. They were the best dance bands in the area.''
In Norfolk, Green played at all the popular spots - the Monticello, Nansemond and Southland hotels, the Norfolk Yacht & Country Club, Ocean View Country Club and several others. At the beach, he blew his horn at the Cavalier, Chalfonte, Pinewood and Warner hotels, the Embassy Club and many other places. Portsmouth's favorite hang-outs were the Albany Supper Club, the Elks Club, the 30th Division Club and Portsmouth Country Club.
And the people he played with are as recognizable as the places. Allen Brenneman (trumpet), Vincent Conwell (trumpet), Dick Palmer (trombone), Jack Kerpelman (trombone), Allen Harris (drums) and Marion Mann (violin). But many of his former comrades in rhythm are gone. In fact, Green was going to show Brenneman the booklet at lunch a couple of months ago, but Brenneman died a week after they made plans.
``I hadn't seen him since 1941,'' Green said wistfully. ``He was one of the greatest trumpet players.''
Green played every New Year's Eve from 1934 to 1941 and recalled that he was paid $12 each time for a four-hour dance. That was big money - musicians usually made anywhere from $3 to $7 for engagements.
``I bought my first trumpet, a beat-up old instrument, for $5,'' Green said with a wry grin. ``I could ride the streetcar in Norfolk for 10 cents.''
The last dance Green played was a Saturday night, Jan. 31, 1942, at the Cavalier Hotel. He had enlisted in the Naval Reserve the previous year and was required to wear his uniform at all engagements. World War II ended Green's music career.
He met and married his wife, Janie Lee, in 1944. They raised two daughters while Green worked in Navy intelligence for 22 years. He then joined the Defense Investigative Service in 1972 as a special agent and retired in 1980.
``I haven't picked up a trumpet since 1942,'' he said. ``My wife never heard me play a note. I do regret never playing again.''
The idea to write a booklet about his big band days was always in the back of his mind, but Green didn't start putting it together until this year. However, Green is in the process of rewriting the booklet and adding some details to make it less specific about his involvement.
``Those were some of the best days of my life,'' he said. ``I didn't write this for commercial gain or anything, I just did it for personal enjoyment.''
If you are a former big band musician from the '30s and the '40s or are an enthusiast, Calvin Green would like to speak with you. Call him at 495-0647. He will loan copies of the booklet upon request.
RUTH CHRISTIAN IS HOPING that a lot of customers will visit the Sugar Plum Tree when it opens on June 21.
The yearly event, sponsored by the Cape Henry Woman's Club and Parks and Recreation, is an arts and crafts show by and for senior citizens who live on a fixed income. This is the 23rd year for the Sugar Plum Tree and Christian said that it gets bigger every year. Last year's event brought in more than $32,000 for the participating seniors.
But they need more customers.
``We never know how many customers will show up,'' said Christian, publicity chairman for the woman's club. ``When we don't have customers, there's too much of a lull.''
Lots of paintings, woodworking, crocheted, embroidered and tatted items, dolls and many other handcrafted items will be on sale during this community service project.
The Sugar Plum Tree will be June 21 through June 27 (closed on June 25) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Lynnhaven Middle School, 1250 Bayne Drive. Admission is free and there will be a raffle of a white country quilt to benefit the club's scholarship fund. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS
Since 1935 Calvin Green has kept a detailed account of his life as a
dance orchestra musician and has compiled that history into a thick
booklet titled ``Fond Memories of a Young Musician.''
by CNB