CABARET VILLE MAGAZINE. P170. CONT'D FROM P169
JAZZ CELEBRITIES AND GUESTS OF THE MONTH
CHAT WITH BILLY VERPLANCK, GOLDEN BIG BAND ERA GREAT.
Q-You were called in the Navy and played and wrote arrangements for the Navy School of Music in the band arranging dept. Did you follow orders like a regular military man, or did the military give you a free hand, leaving you to a higher commander; your muse? Billy: Followed orders like a regular military man. The job was to orchestrate the National Anthems of all the countries in the world and there were many. And it was a great experience learning how to do it. Q-Your job, besides playing with the band was scoring. Did you really, write National Anthems for Navy concert bands? Billy: Yes. Scoring and copying them. Q-Usually, talented people with experience, rich training and credentials don't stay long in the military. Some will never join the army or the navy. And many others will leave as soon as they get a better job offer. Take for instance, all those great pilots who retire early to join commercial airlines to make more money. The same thing applies to physicians and alike. So why in heavens, a great musician and composer like Billy VerPlanck will glue his "derriere" on a military chair? The world of music was your oyster! Billy: To avoid the draft, the only choice was the Navy School for me at time. I got out in a year, thankfully, as my arches fell. Q-You joined Jimmy Dorsey's Band and stayed there a year and a half. How did you get the job? Recommendations, introductions, a job offer, luck? Billy: Luck. I knew a couple of guys on the band and they needed a 3rd Trombone player. Q-You joined the band as a trombone player, Right? did you compose for Jimmy Dorsey? Billy: I did a couple of charts for the band. Q-Was Jimmy Dorsey a likable man? What did you like most about him? Billy: Jimmy was a man of great talent not only did he play the saxophone and clarinet but he was a marvelous trumpet player and could also play trombone. And a very good person and musician, he was great to work for. Q-Is it true he did not pay well his musicians? Billy: The pay was good for the times. I had no complaints and I never heard anyone complaining. Q-Tell me about the music and times of Billy VerPlanck during the golden era of the big bands? Billy: Well the thrill for me was the whole music business, to be playing and writing for the Name Bands in the 1950's. which really was the end of the Big Band era but to be a part of it was wonderful for me. I loved every moment even the traveling. Billy May, Ralph Marterie, Russ Morgan, Henry Busie, Charlie Spivack and on and on... Q-During your stay with Dorsey's band, you recorded great hits like "So Rare", and.....more hits like? Billy: I did some recording with Jimmies band and some transcriptions. But the band broke in 51 and I went on Claude Thornhill's band, recorded The Gerry Mulligan Charts with Claude for Trend Records, which was wonderful and a definite high light
Composer, arranger and musician extraordinaire, Maestro Billy VerPlanck with wife, Marlene Verplanck, one of the world's best Jazz-Cabaret singers.
Q-When the Dorsey's band broke up in 1951, you joined Charlie Barnet and Claude Thornhill. Why these two? Billy: Claude's band was luck. Jimmy's band broke up and I came into the "Apple" and ran into Leon Cox, the great trombone player from Gene Krupa's band, then playing with Claude, who recommended me. Jimmy took a 3 week break and I happened to run into Curt Blume the manager of Charlie Barnet's band, he said, "do you want to play for two weeks with Charlie?" and I took the job with great joy. The Band was wonderful and the music was a real joy to play. But Charlie didn't work on any steady bases. He did it as a hobby but that was OK. A little went a long way. I went back to Jimmy after that.
Billy VerPlanck on the cover of Jazz Journal. Continues on P210