Professor Plum’s Jazz

Robert Gilchrist Huenemann

December 18, 2007

The South Bay Traditional Jazz Society hosted ‘The Last’ Plum Reunion on December 16, 2007.

The band consisted of

Phil Kirk, trumpet; Bill Carson, trombone; Cal Abbott, reeds; Mike Swanson, tuba; Pat Dutrow, banjo; Rich Owens, piano; Burt Thompson, drums.

I have put together a photo CD of 82 shots of the band and dancers at this wonderful event.

If you send me $5.00 to cover my costs, I will send you a copy.

Bob Huenemann

120 Harbern Way

Hollister, CA 95023-9708

The Professor Plum Reunion Band at the December 18, 2005 meeting of the South Bay Traditional Jazz Society.

Phil Kirk, Trumpet; Cal Abbott, Clarinet; Bill Carson, Trombone; Pat Dutrow, Banjo; Bert Thompson, Drums; Jim Maihack, Tuba; Rich Owens, Piano

It has been my privilege to hear the very best of the best traditional New Orleans jazz bands live. I heard Turk Murphy many times, Bob Scobey’s band after he left Turk, Doc Evans, George Lewis, Bob Schulz just to name a few. And I have recordings of King Oliver, Lewis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Lu Watters, the Dukes of Dixieland, the Firehouse Five Plus Two, the New Black Eagle Jazz Band, and many other local and festival bands.

Phil Kirk’s Professor Plum’s Jazz held its own with any of the above. Phil’s lip is on a par with anyone that ever picked up a horn. His mute work is a sheer delight, and he has always surrounded himself with musicians of similar talent. I heard the Plum Reunion band on December 16, 2007. Phil is still blowing up a storm. He left the San Francisco area for San Diego more than a decade ago, where he plays with the Red Pepper Jazz Band.

From 1978 to 1993, the Plum played at Mountain Charlie’s in Los Gatos, the Iron Works in Palo Alto, a pizza parlor in Mountain View and many other places, including festivals and cruises. Their regular gig was on a Sunday afternoon, and they had a fanatical following of several hundred people. It was often the high point of my week.

The Plum issued many albums on vinyl and cassette tape between 1979 and 1993, and some may be available on Ebay and elsewhere. They issued three CDs that are worthy of mention. The first was Professor Plum’s Jazz Greatest Hits. The 16 tracks included Professor Plum’s Blues (their theme), Georgia Swing, She’s Crying for Me, Sweet Lotus Blossom, Chelsea on Down, Martinique, Redman Blues, South Street Blues, Little Lawrence, I’m Coming Virginia, Do Something, Panama, Tollgate Blues, Royal Garden Blues, What is this Thing Called Love, and Blues in the Works.

The second CD is titled Professor Plum’s Jazz Greatest Hits Vol. II. The 17 tracks include Minor Drag, Hiawatha, Trog’s Blues, Creole Belle, Cushion Foot Stomp, Southern Stomps, Bouncin’ Around, New Orleans Shuffle, Sweet Like This, Coal Cart Blues, Oriental Strut, Shout Em’ Aunt Tillie, Wrought Iron Rag, Spanish Shawl, Candy Lips, I’m Going Away To Wear You Off My Mind, and Emperor Norton’s Hunch.

The third CD is titled Plum Live. It includes these 18 tunes: Livery Stable Blues, Jazzing Babies Blues, Ready for the Times to Get Better, Sweet Like This, Just a Closer Walk With Thee, Riverboat Shuffle, Rose of Washington Square, Silver Dollar, Big Lip Blues, King Chanticleer, Sage Hen Strut, Professor Plum Blues, San, The Rhythm Kings, Mabel’s Dream, Dipper Mouth Blues, You’re a Good Old Wagon But You Done Broke Down, Savoy Blues.

The wonderful musicians who appear on the CDs include:

Trumpet: Phil Kirk

Trombone: Bill Carson

Reeds: Cal Abbott, Gary Milliken, Bob Schroeder

Tuba: Mike Swanson

Piano: Jan Stiers, Paul Price

Banjo: Karl Walterskirchen, Bill Armstrong, Pat Dutrow

Drums: Bert Thompson, Steve Hartwell, Bill Todd

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