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"FEEDBACK AND FOLLOW-UP"
Christopher Popa responds:
"Colson told me that he caught the Glenn Miller Orchestra when it played the Jaffa Mosque in Altoona, PA earlier this year. He reminded me about two people who were from Altoona: Ernie Rudisill, who was Sammy Kaye's drummer from 1937 into the '50s, and Janet Blair, who recorded a dozen sides with Hal Kemp's band in 1940. Colson also asked for information about drummer Johnny Morris, aka 'Paradiddle Joe,' who was with Tony Pastor's band from 1940-44, including when it appeared at the Mischler Theatre. Here's a photo of Morris in action [ r. ]. Do any Pastor fans know what became of Morris?"
"Just a note of thanks for the great job you do in keeping the memories of the Big Band alive. I am in my 70s and often think back to staying up late on Friday and Saturday nights, with the only light in the room being the 'green eye' on the Philco radio. As someone said, 'those were the days.'"
- Colson Jones
Christopher Popa:
"When singer Phil Brito [ l. ], who worked and recorded with Al Donahue's big band for three years, died in October 2005, I offered my condolences to his family. His daughter-in-law, Judy, wrote me back."
"Thanks for mentioning his passing
. . . I wish you could have talked to him, too. He would have really enjoyed that."
- Judy Colombrito
Christopher Popa follows-up:
"Fans of Jan Savitt and His Top Hatters should note that Phil made two records with him - Running Through My Mind and Shabby Old Cabby, recorded on July 6, 1939 for Decca - right before Phil joined Al Donahue."
