Mystery Photo - Dameron on Trombone?

[Niko]

I was wondering about this interesting photo from the October 22 1949 Baltimore Afro-American: Do I read this right that it says the second guy on the left is Tadd Dameron? Is it really him? What's he doing with the trombone, i.e., is it known that we was also a trombone player? (others on the picture it says are Jimmy Mundy, Gene Ammons (so the later Richard-Carpenter-Crew is together), and Pearl Bailey...)

Edited October 24, 2010 by Niko

[Big Beat Steve]

Just a gimmick for the photographer, I think.

Actually I wonder if that trombonist is Tadd Dameron at all. The pic isn't very clear but somehow his face looks a bit lean compared to other known pictures of Tadd from that period.

Edited October 24, 2010 by Big Beat Steve

[AllenLowe]

I find the gay rights angle more interesting -

[brownie]

First time I hear that Tadd Dameron played trombone!

Might be him. I'm with BBS, probably a gimmick for a photo op!

The identifications of the other people in the photo are correct.

[Spontooneous]

Looks kinda like Tadd to me.

I'll try to ask Myra Taylor if she ever saw Tadd messing around with the trombone.

[king ubu]

THE Myra Taylor? The same of which I've got some Mercury 40s sides on some box set?

[Spontooneous]

The same. Still occasionally gigging at 93, and sounding pretty good.

She was in the Harlan Leonard band when Tadd was the arranger, and their paths crossed again and again into the '60s.

[king ubu]

Wow, I had no idea she was even still around (wouldn't have occurred to me to check though). Sure would be a treat to read an interview with her!

[Big Beat Steve]

Wow, I had no idea she was even still around (wouldn't have occurred to me to check though). Sure would be a treat to read an interview with her!

Same here. People like her need to be interviewed at length so their recollections, background knowledge, etc. can be recorded for posterity.

After all, what's that (African) saying again?

"An elder who dies is like a library that burns down."

[king ubu]

That's a beautiful saying - never heard it before!

[Christiern]

I don't think Ted is Tadd, but Tadd may be playing Ted, as well as trombone—well, perhaps not quite as well.

Perhaps a case of too many arrangers and no piano. Didn't know that the BAA was to be found online—thanks, Niko.

I looked beyond the photo and found this interesting item...

As well as a Philip Morris nose job...

[slide_advantage_redoux]

Fascinating story. These old BAA clippings are a glimpse into an otherwise unknown world. Thanks for sharing!

Edited April 25, 2012 by slide_advantage_redoux

[Pete C]

Why did they have to call the guy a "chubby trumpeter"? I assume it wasn't a reference to his tone.

Edited April 25, 2012 by Pete C