The 30's

Rau's New Dance Band, playing every Saturday night at this popular chicken dinner Inn, located midway between Parkland and Spanaway, 8 miles out on the Mountain Highway. Patrons of the Inn are scheduled this Saturday night to enter a contest to name the new band. Burnett Bros., jewelers, are offering a valuable gift to the winner chosen by the judges as giving it the most suitable name. The personnel of the band is composed of Cliff Rawnsley, piano; "Corky" Corcoran, saxophone; Don Ober, guitar; Johnny Quinn, drums. (Tacoma News Tribune clipping & possibly the oldest press for my father, Don Ober and "Corky" Corcoran. Clipping, picture & postcard from the late 1930's)

More on Corky (1924-1979):

Corky had a professional beginning right out of a Hollywood biopic. The major bandleader Jimmie Lunceford heard him playing at a Tacoma jam when Corcoran was still shy of 16 years old and considered a prodigy. Sonny Dunham was one leader of a territory band who put the teenage tenor blower to work circa 1940. Fellow trumpeter Harry James grabbed Corcoran the following year -- now he was at least 17. James turned out to be the bandleader who would make the most difference in Corcoran's career, featuring him in many solo spots. Meanwhile, the James band rose and rose in prominence, putting Corcoran in the spotlight on radio and in the movies as well as on concert stages. Then came an offer from Tommy Dorsey in 1948. In the half decade that ensued, Corcoran bobbed around like a you-know-what between reviving his place in the James band and building up a combo under his own name. There are several albums under his name, including both The Sound of Love and The Sound of Jazz, but his activities as a bandleader were primarily focused on the Seattle area, just like in his teenager territory band years (Eugene Chadbourne, Rovi) (Alternate Source)

Here is a recording of the reunited friends from a cassette in my father's collection simply labeled "Corky, Don, Hollis, Buzzy w/ Seattle Strings 1954." *Update... I just received and confirmed it to be the official release Corky Corcoran "The Sound Of Love." (Arranged, Conducted by Art Mineo & Written by Toni Mineo) on Epic Records. It appears that my copy was dubbed from a reel in the 70's. *Update... I just found a copy on a reel dubbed in 70's.

Corky Corcoran with the Seattle Strings (ft. Don Ober, Hollis Sulser & Buzzy Brigdeford) "Remember" (1954)

Corky Corcoran with the Seattle Strings (ft. Don Ober, Hollis Sulser & Buzzy Brigdeford) "Remember" (1954)

Corky Corcoran with the Seattle Strings (ft. Don Ober, Hollis Sulser & Buzzy Brigdeford) "Remember" (1956)

*Unidentified Person...

The 40's

Overflow Crowd Turns Out For Air WAC Show Premier

At least 200 people were turned away from the show, apparently, too many free tickets to the recruiting premier having been issued. Fireman ordered the aisles cleared before the show started and several minutes were wasted while unwilling people were gently but firmly forced to leave the back of the auditorium. Many, including four city councilmen arriving after the short council meeting, found only standing room in the back and side balconies.

Pfc. Ober Does His Stuff: Sandy-haired, nonchalant, gumchewing Pfc. Don Ober, an orchestra member, captured the house with a beautiful electric guitar solo, "Dark Eyes." His encore was "Honeysuckle Rose." (The Berkshire County Eagle Pittsfield, Massachusetts 4/12/44)

More on Gerry Lamothe:

From what I've found, Gerry's name lives on. Gerry's Music shop has been in busines from 1946 until now... Gerry's Music Shop is a full service, family owned and operated business that was founded in 1946. Currently, we service over 50 school districts in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut with a full line of musical instruments and accessories. We offer a complete line of musical instruments, printed music, and accessories! (Source)

*Unidentified Band Members...

The 50's

As a young musician, Ober was part of the best white bebop band in the Northwest. They played at a beer joint on 9th and Pacific in Tacoma called the "Pirate's Cove." The band was organized by Buzzy Bridgeford (drums) and included Freddie Greenwell on saxophone, Hollis Sulser on piano, Paul Binnings on bass and Ober. During that time period, Ober was a Charlie Christian-style guitar player who wore a big hat, pinstriped suit and smoked a cigar. ("Jackson Street After Hours" 1994 - Paul de Barros. Reference to the early 1950's)

More on Buzz and Fred:

According to Red Kelly, Wayne "Buzz" Bridgeford was a "real natural, amazing player," grouped with drummers such as Shadow Wilson and Art Madigan who would "hit a cymbal and it'd sound like a painting, Van Gogh or something...Buzzy could do that." Bridgeford would join trumpeter Jimmy Zitto's band, along with saxophonist Freddie Greenwell, and then joined Randy Brooks' modern big band. Bridgeford would play in San Francisco with Stan Getz in 1951 and played in a group back east with vocalist Dave Lambert. (Jackson Street After Hours 1994 - Paul de Barros

Corky Corcoran with the Seattle Strings (ft. Don Ober, Hollis Sulser & Buzzy Brigdeford) "Relax" (1954)

Corky Corcoran with the Seattle Strings (ft. Don Ober, Hollis Sulser & Buzzy Brigdeford) "Relax" (1954)

Corky Corcoran with the Seattle Strings (ft. Don Ober, Hollis Sulser & Buzzy Brigdeford) "Relax" (1956)

*Unidentified Band Members...

The 60's

Don Ober, guitarist, will make his appearance at the Dave Brubeck concert next Tuesday. Don, an exceptionally fine musician, lives in Tacoma. His ability, knowledge and talent have a long range of experience which can classify him as one of the finest guitar men on the West Coast. Don began playing at the age of 10, and professionally at 14. His constant drive for perfection has made him an outstanding performer. While attending Stadium High School, Don often would carry his guitar downtown after school, and "sit-in" during the afternoon jam sessions in the rear of George Greenwood's music store. This was the meeting place of all the pros and to-be-pros. The sessions would last until closing time and often continue at the nearby Musicians' Building. Saturday was the big day for musicians in Tacoma, when they would congregate around Greenwood's store for a continuous jam session. From this enviroment, and diligent striving for perfection, many of the top musicians in the Pacific Northwest developed. Asked why he doesn't join a traveling group or big band, Don's reply is a simple "Why?" "There is nothing that can compare with the Pacific Northwest scenically or musically," he adds. You undoubtedly will hear the finest guitar player in the Pacific Northwest when you attend the Dave Brubeck concert next Tuesday evening. (Unidentified newspaper clipping 1962)

IF BRUBECK and his men elevated the concert, it must be added the Northwest was ably represented last night by the Bud Schultz Trio (plus one). Schultz - piano and vibes, with Joe Larson - Drums, Don Rogers - Bass and Don Ober - Guitar, offered strong sounds in complex arrangements allowing for organic improvisation. Teddy Ross, local vocalist and club wit, joined Schultz for a stand, and Ross again displayed his ability to hold attention with free movement within familiar styles. (The Seattle Times 6/20/62 - Jack De Yonge)

More on Dave Brubeck (born December 6, 1920):

David Warren Brubeck is an American jazz pianist. He has written a number of jazz standards, including "In Your Own Sweet Way" and "The Duke". Brubeck's style ranges from refined to bombastic, reflecting his mother's attempts at classical training and his improvisational skills. His music is known for employing unusual time signatures, and superimposing contrasting rhythms, meters, and tonalities. (Source)

STEVE'S GAY 90'S - The Northwest's Most Unique Entertainment & Dining Emporium.

Don Ober is recognised as the best teacher of guitar in the Puget Sound area. His background in classics and jazz is extensive. To hear Don is a must for music lovers.

More on Steve's Gay 90's:

Steve's was owned by John J. Stanley and Stephen O. Pease. The restaurant offered cocktails and American food served smorgasbord style for a nominal charge, with dining music and entertainment provided. Steve's Gay '90s operated from 1950 to 1977 and was one of Tacoma's most popular night spots. It grew from a 20 person cafe to a huge complex that could seat up to 725 at a time. In the mid fifties, Steve's added to their unique treasure trove an actual cable car, converted to street driving, bought at auction in San Francisco and driven to Tacoma. The Cable Car Room then opened with replicas of Tacoma and San Francisco cable cars as booths in the cocktail lounge. The crowning gem was the Opera House, opened in a mid fifties expansion, furnished with antiques from the South Tacoma mansions and featuring a twice nightly floor show with can can girls, among other performers. (Source)

The 70's

The SAM DONAHUE Orchestra, headquartered at John Ascuaga's Nugget, has long been known as a stay together group. Recently, guitarist and Mrs. DON OBER welcomed a new addition to their household by the name of SEAN OBER who was born at St. Mary's hospital while his dad was performing on the Circus Room stage for the MICKIE FINN show. He is already a capitalist as the boys in the band all got together and bought him a U.S. Savings Bond. (Nevade State Journal 11/15/70)

More on Sam Donahue (1918 – 1974)

Sam was an American swing music jazz tenor saxophonist, trumpeter and musical arranger. Born in Detroit, Michigan, he is probably best known for his work with Gene Krupa, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Billy May, and many others (Source)

Here is a recording, not long after my birth, and my father's return to the Pacific NW. The source of this tape recording was taken during a short tour in Ocean Shores 1971 w/ Don Ober, Floyd Standifer and others. Here's a little segment that I'd like to include...

Don Ober - Solo acoustic guitar for his pals during the stay at Ocean Shores & the "North End Tavern Joke" (1971)

(Hmmm, I hear and see an accordion & keyboard in some of these recordings and in the pictures. And, if my math is correct, my dad and Ken Olendorf played the Western Washington Fair around the same time... Ken where you there too?)

Floyd Standifer (1929-2007):

Floyd Standifer, a giant on the Seattle jazz scene, died Monday night at Virginia Mason Hospital. He was 78. In his early years on the Seattle jazz scene, Standifer, a trumpeter, saxophonist and singer, played at local clubs with such future stars as jazz trumpeter Quincy Jones and pianist Ray Charles. The city of Seattle has twice honored him, proclaiming "Floyd Standifer Day" on May 9, 1996, and again on Oct. 20, 2000. During the same year, former Mayor Paul Schell honored him at the Earshot Jazz Festival "for being Seattle's most respected jazz master and premiere bebopper." (Seattle Post-Intelligencer 1/23/07 - Gene Stout) (Source)

In the seventies, Ober became a regular sideman at Red Kelly's Club, the Tumwater Conservatory, near Olympia. He ran on Kelly's O.W.L. (Out With Logic, On with Lunacy) political ballot in 1976 as the Commissioner of Public Lands. The slate was a hodge podge of jazz musicians, whose main platform was laughter, and it garnered the largest minority vote in the history of the state of Washington.

Here is a recording of Don Ober playing the classic guitar with Red Kelly, Jack Perciful & Dave Coleman...

"We have a request for Earthquake to play the classic guitar" (Aug 3, 1975)

More on Red Kelly:

Red Kelly worked for a huge number of jazz groups including for the bandleaders Woody Herman and Stan Kenton, two men who didn't trust each other. "Woody didn't trust anything that didn't swing. Stan didn't trust anything that did," said Kelly. Kelly could swing a big band, but also had a fine instinct for supporting soloists in small groups. He had begun on drums but, as a result of having suffered from polio when he was two, he found that he couldn't operate the hi-hat cymbal pedal with his foot. He switched to bass and began working professionally at 16. He spent most of his life touring and the list of the name bands that he worked with is incredible. It included those of Ted Fio Rito, Randy Brooks, Sam Donahue, Chubby Jackson, Herbie Fields, Charlie Barnet, Claude Thornhill, Jimmy Dorsey, Lennie Niehaus, Maynard Ferguson, Les Brown and Harry James. He was with the Woody Herman band, enjoying a particular friendship with the leader, from January 1952 to the summer of 1955. He joined Stan Kenton in 1957 and stayed until 1959. Kelly established a special rapport and another friendship with the drummer Buddy Rich when they played together in the Harry James band throughout most of the Sixties. Intrigued by the state elections of 1976, Kelly created the most elaborate joke of his life when he decided to run for state governor with the slogan "Unemployment is Not Working". He enlisted several of his friends for office including his mother-in-law, who campaigned to become Secretary of State under the name "Fast Lucy". Kelly's Owl party (Out With Logic, On With Lunacy) delighted the electorate but infuriated the politicians. "Everyone we ran came in third," said Kelly. (The Independent UK Obituary 6/11/04 - Steve Voce) (Source)

Here is a recording of a Red Kelly interview with KOMO News "Election 76"

Jack Perciful:

Born Nov. 26, 1925, in Moscow, Idaho, Mr. Perciful started on piano when he was 7. In 1943, he was drafted into the armed forces, where he worked in a combo behind Red Skelton and served in Japan after WWII. He returned to the University of Idaho, where he completed a master's degree in music education. After teaching briefly, Perciful pursued a music career, first in Spokane, then in Los Angeles, where he moved in 1952. During this period, he was influenced by pianists Nat Cole and Spokane native Jimmy Rowles. "He played beautifully, in a very crisp, straightforward style," said Olympia pianist Joe Baque. "When he played something, it had meaning." In 1956, Mr. Perciful was hired by James in Las Vegas, and subsequently recorded 25 albums with the band leader. After moving to Olympia, the pianist began working with former James bandmate Kelly at the bass player's club, the Tumwater Conservatory. (The Seattle Times Obituary 4/3/08 - Paul de Barros) (Source)

Don Ober with Red Kelly "Shadow Of Your Smile" (Nov 26, 1974)

Red Kelly Trio with Don Ober ft Rollie Morehouse "Stardust" (Nov 26, 1974)

Red Kelly Trio with Don Ober ft Rollie Morehouse "St James Infirmary" (Nov 26, 1974)

Red Kelly Trio with Don Ober "I Remember April", "That's All" & comic relief from Red (Nov 26, 1974)

A story about Don Ober by Red and Art Doll & "On Green Dolphin Street" with Floyd Standifer & Art Doll (Nov 3, 1974)

Don Ober with 12 Piece Band ft. Don Ober at The Bavarian Tacoma "Chelsea Bridge" (Nov 3, 1975)

"They still owe Earthquake half-a-week's pay" & "If I Didn't Care" (Dec 9, 1975)

Chuck Stentz with Don Ober & The Red Kelly Quartet "Danny Boy" (March 25, 1975)

Red Kelly Quartet with Red Mitchell "Samba" (Dec 9, 1975)

A touch of Jack Perciful on the Keys (Aug 3, 1975)

A bit of Dave Coleman on Drums (Aug 3, 1975)

And, all the boys w/ Fred Greenwell & Hank Stampf (Aug 3, 1975)

Ernestine Anderson singing at the Tumwater Conservatory in Tumwater, WA. Red Kelly, left, accompanies her on the electric bass and Don Ober plays the guitar.

Ms. Anderson has recorded more than 30 albums and has received 4 Grammy nominations as a jazz vocalist. In the 1950s she began recording solo, receiving critical acclaim. She was voted the New Star of 1959, but she continued to be torn between her life as a wife and mother and her success as a singer. In the sixties began to veer toward rock 'n roll, Ms. Anderson, as well as other jazz performers, left for Europe to continue their careers. After a few years in London, she returned home to the Northwest and went into semi-retirement. In the seventies, with the encouragement of friends and family, and after her discovery of the Buddhist Church, she returned fresh to singing. She started by sitting in weekends at Kelly's Tumwater Club. She sang there every weekend for about a year before returning to recording. She has since recorded 23 albums. A true jazz legend, she is noted for her soulful blues, plaintive ballads and sassy swing. (Anderson's Bio & Seattle Post-Intelligencer 6/10/04 - Mike Lewis) (Alternate Source)

Here is a recording from the performance with Ernestine...

Ernestine Anderson with Red Kelly, Jack Perciful, Don Ober and Dave Coleman "Stormy Monday" (Sept 5, 1975)

Ernestine Anderson with Red Kelly, Jack Perciful, Don Ober and Dave Coleman "On Green Dolphin Street" (Sept 5, 1975)

Ernestine Anderson with Red Kelly, Jack Perciful, Don Ober and Dave Coleman "My Funny Valentine" (Sept 5, 1975)

Ernestine Anderson with 12 Piece Band at The Bavarian Tacoma - Title Unknown (Nov 3, 1975)

Herb Mc Clarity - Don Ober, Ken Olendorf and Wayne Simon - "Dixie"

Ken Olendorf:

Ken Olendorf is a Accordionist, Pianist, Keyboard Player, Singer, Arranger, Composer, Musical Director, and Recording Artist. He was also a Conductor, pianist and contractor for the Bob Hope Show and the Donald O'Connor Show. Has worked with the Ink Spots, Myron Floren, Clark Terry, The King Family, Bobby Vinton, Bobby Burgess, Cissy King, Ella Mae Morris, Rusty Draper, Norma Zimmer, Charlie Byrd, Cy Touf, The Harmonicats, Al Bolletto, Ike Cole, Woody Woodhouse, Mary Towne, Tiny Calkins, Norm Bobrow, Red Kelly, Art Doll, Corky Corcoran, Fred Greenwell, Floyd Standifer, Reino Moisio, Denny Mahn, Connie Haines, and more. (source)

Here is a recording of the session (Further info to be supplied by Ken Olendorf)...

Herb Mc Clarity - D. Ober, K. Olendorf and W. Simon - Title Unknown (Date Unknown)

The 80's (Almost)

Donald Allen Ober (Sept 16, 1922 - Dec 31, 1979)

Donald A. Ober, a well-known classical and jazz guitarist and Tacoman, died Monday following a lengthy illness. He was 57. Mr. Ober, of 3909 N. 34th St., had appeared with bands here and throughout the Pacific Northwest, performing with such noted musicians as Dave Brubeck, Joe Venuti and Rusty Draper. He also was associated with Red Kelly's Tumwater Conservatory Group in Olympia. Mr. Ober was a Washington native, born in Monroe, and started playing guitar at the age of 10. He was a member of the Air Force band during WWII. (Tacoma News Tribune 1/3/80, pg. B-16)

One who didn't quite make it was Don "Earthquake" Ober, possibly the best jazz guitarist Tacoma ever produced, who lost his battle with Big C on New Years Eve (Tacoma News Tribune 1/4/80 - Denny MacGougan)

If the Old City Hall's chimes begin to do weird things Sunday afternoon, it's because one of the greatest collections of local musical talent in history will be going at it in the basement Ratskeller for some six hours. It's a tribute to the late great guitarist, Don (Earthquake) Ober, and just about every Tacomer who can read music - from Wayne Simon to Red Kelly - is scheduled to be on hand. A $5 per head donation will be contributed to Hospice of Tacoma in Don's name. The event is scheduled to start at 1p.m. and last until 7. "It should be one hell of a musical afternoon," messages Ken Lee Upton, who presides over the piano bar at the Lakewood Terrace and is helping organize the event. (Tacoma News Tribune 2/8/80 - Denny MacGougan)

Here is a recording from the performance...

Wayne Simon talks about Don (Feb 10, 1980)

Larry Coryell (Godfather of Fusion) "When I lived on a houseboat on Lake Union in Seattle with Rich Dangel of the Wailers, he would go down to Tacoma to study with Don Ober. Just recalling this brings back great memories. Most noteworthy of all these recollections was when Rich brought back Don's arrangement of "'Round Midnight". I liked the arrangement a lot, and Rich taught it to me and it became the basis for my own arrangement of the Monk classic years later, when I focused my career on playing straight-ahead jazz. I was learning a few new chords every time Rich came back from a lesson with Don." (Direct correspondence 6/20/2011 - Larry Coryell)

As one of the pioneers of jazz-rock -- perhaps the pioneer in the ears of some -- Larry Coryell deserves a special place in the history books. He brought what amounted to a nearly alien sensibility to jazz electric guitar playing in the 1960s, a hard-edged, cutting tone, phrasing and note-bending that owed as much to blues, rock and even country as it did to earlier, smoother bop influences. Yet as a true eclectic, armed with a brilliant technique, he is comfortable in almost every style, covering almost every base from the most decibel-heavy, distortion-laden electric work to the most delicate, soothing, intricate lines on acoustic guitar. (Source)