The Washington times., 1938-06-23

of pretentious gentility and puri-
tanical musical theory against
which he had always fought in
his attempt to hold Harriet'S
love. And now he visioned Mr..
Torernce with Harriet.
Just when it had seemed that
they might be closer together
after their separation, a new
gulf yawned between them.
His face flushed. Biff hurried
down Seventh Avenue, welcom-
ing the bright lights as he sped
past SD Street under the Ele-
waited. When he came to 50th
Street he paused outside the
Roxy Theater uncertainty, al
lowing himself to be showed
around by the milling mobs.
Then. as though an idea had
suddenly struck him, he re-
directed his steps uptown. At
SIND Street he turned sharply
right and strode toward the
Onyx Club. There was only one
way to put out of his mind
the nightmare of Harriet with
that reptilian Delmer.
ENTERS ONYX CLUB
Biff entered the club as the
Onyx doorman nodded to him.
He felt better when he found
himself in the midst of the
friendly. crowded tables, the
cheerful bar, shaded lights. and
the noisy band beating out
regular dollhouse.
The place was too jammed
for Biff to see me, at first. For
I had come in with Bud Free
man, Davie Tough and Arthur
Michaud. We we're supposed to
meet a phonus called Hot House
Herbert. This chap Herbert was
one of those chiselers who live
off musicians.
He arranged starvation jaunts
and club dates on percentage.
didn't like to do business with
him, but it seemed he wanted
my band very hot to play so
ciety date. And he was making
a solid offer. The four Of us
and Hot were cramped around
a small table near the noun
tain.
Biff looked high as he wan
dered through the network OF
tables, pushing the headwaiter
aside. I called him over. His
face was grim as he sat down.
Hello, kid" I said, meet Hot
Herbert"
"IT'S A PLEASURE"
Herbert seemed genuinely
pleased. Hand me that Skin,
Brown" said Herbert. IT'S q
pleasure to meeta real live
artist. Some Of my best friends"
here he looked at me and
winked-''rave about your killer
diller riffs"
Biff didn't seem to care. quite
a squeaker. that Stuff" he alb
sently muttered to no one IN
particular. Stuff Smith, the
great colored fiddler, was on the
stand with his crew.
"A terrif gut scraper," agreed
Bud.
Biff seemed very young and
very old tonight. I guess ID i'm
mediately that something had
popped again with him and
Harriet.
Il purposely brought OaVie
down here tonight because /
want him to hear a guy who can
really beat those SKINS" I Salo'
kidding Tough. I was referring
to Cozy Cole, Stuff's drummer
yeah" interjected Hct.
Trouble with you. Davie, you
beat them Gyms too ricky-ticS." "
"I hear you're knocking them
dead, Biff," said Michaud.
JONAH'S HOT TRUMPET
Hang around, kid invited
Tough, there's going to be a
terrific clamaroo later"
Listen to that Jonah Jones go
to town." cried Bud approvingly
Jonah was Stuff's trumpeter.
Listen, Dorsey" said Hot
House. that date is set for the
twenty-seventh. Whaddya sayP
Gimme a quick yes"
I'm thinking it over" I said.
But just to get rid of him I said,
"okay."
"I got a special reason for ask
ing you, Dorsey" declared Hot
House. eagerly pulling out the
papers, and looking at Biff side
wise After Michaud, my
manager, checked through them
to see we wouldn't come out
owing Hot money. I signed the
papers. These Swishy salon
dates pay very nicely. This one
was netting us $4,000.
AS the evening wore on, the
cats began to shine around. Joe
Marsala dropped in from the
Hickory House, Louis Prima was
there, and Benny Goodman, jess
Stacey, Eddie Condor. Artle
Shapiro, Eddie Miller from Bob
Crosby's band, George Wettling
and many others.
PLAYING FREEZES THEM
About six Of them would take
turns at a time. Biff sat in dur
ing one jameroo with Condor
Stacey. Shapiro. Bud. Tough