Forum Research

[Jazz Legends]

A Place for Jazz Research

[Terry Little]

G'day All.

Whilst once again browsing one of Peter's marvellous music compilations, I took some time to note the Down Beat poll results of 1953 for drums. Number one of course was the Master, but also included in the top ten was a name I have never heard of and in my books cannot find any reference. His name is Art Mardigan and he finished eight, just behind Art Blakey and in front of such legends as Cozy Cole, Chico Hamilton, Don Lamond, Kenny Clarke, Joe Morello and Jack Sperling, that's a pretty fair list.

So; who is, or was, Art Mardigan?

If anyone has any info on him I thought it may be a good way to begin our Research section.

Kindest regards

Terry.

[ZUFFEE]

G'DAY TERRY AND ALL; I BELIEVE ART MARDIGAN WAS THE DRUMMER WITH WOODY HERMAN'S THIRD HERD.HEY, I THINK I'M CORRECT. BY THE WAY, 1953 WAS ALSO FAMOUS FOR SOMETHING ELSE! TAKE CARE; ZUFFEE

[Terry Little]

G'day Zuffee.

Many thanks for the info on Art Mardigan. I have since found a short bio about him on Wikipedia and some nice pics of him on Drummerworld. I note that he played with Goodman, Gillespie and Stan Getz. He certainly had a very short life. I am still curious as to how he polled so high and above so many more well known drummers in that 1953 Down Beat poll.
As for 1953 being a famous year for something else, I am still exploring all my books and all my known websites. I am sure that it must be something very special.

Kindest regards

Terry

[Dr. Bruce H. Klauber]

Art Mardigan, not remembered very well these days, was one heck of a player. The list of those with whom he played--Getz, Bird, Fats, Benny, Al, Sarah, Woody, Dizzy, etc.--is simply incredible. Woody's Third Herd was recording quite a bit and garnering a good deal of attention throughout 1953, giving some rise to the hope that big bands were on the way back, which may have been one reason he placed so high in the 1953 poll. Then again, the darn poll might have been fixed!

[Terry Little]

G'day Bruce and All.

Thank you for you response re Art Mardigan, although I do not want to believe that there were any illegalities or fixing of any of the Down Beat Polls, I thought that was reserved for Presidential Elections.

I have noticed whilst perusing Peter's wonderful compilations, that most of the Woody Herman drummers were well up in the poll results over the years. This commenced with Frankie Carlson in 1940 and later included such greats as Don Lamond (rightffully so), Dave Tough,( highly overated) Jake Hanna and Shelly Manne.

In Oz, Woody Herman was not exactly a household name apart for The Golden Wedding, (featuring Frankie Carlson and not Woody, as many people argued), and to a lesser extent Woodchoppers Ball, but it appears that in the USA he had a huge following which would account for some of the polling results for his sidemen.

Would be interested in views from some of the 15 other members of our Forum.

Kindest regards

Terry

[Paul]

Highly over rated Jake Hanna? Jake has had a longer career than any of the other players listed. He's still playing and out swinging 99.9% of the drummers on the planet. He is also one of the best brush players ever.

[Terry Little]

G'day Paul and All.

Thank you for your response and update on Jake Hanna. It seems that I put the comma in the wrong place, but mildly achieved the desired result.
Following your response I did a little research and found a couple of interesting bits involving Mr Hanna. There is record of a very informative interview with him and the late Kenny Clare on Google, and I also was able to watch a Woody Herman "Caldonia" played at breakneck tempo held together very tightly by the bass and drums. And yes he certainly swings.

Good to hear from you, and we would like a lot more.

Kindest regards

Terry

[DJ DDT]

Hello guys. Does anyone have any info, or songs, on a jazz musician named Gary Chandler? I know nothing of this cat, and would really like to know and hear.

[BERNIE PRITCHARD]

Is this any good, DJ?

http://myfavvouritesound.blogspot.com/2007/08/gary-chandler-outlook...

Hope so!

Bernie