"We know not the day, nor the hour," a phrase that eighty-five year old saxophonist Paul Renfro reminds me. We have memorialize so many of our musical buddies and today, we celebrate the life of Rick Frye.
At the beginning of a rehearsal this morning, it was announced that drummer Rick Frye collapsed and died in Williamsburg, Virginia Friday, January 5, 2007, after Phil Dirt and the Dozers had finished a showcase. After the performance, Rick said he wasn't feeling well and told his brother, Mark, that he was going back to the band's bus. It was Mark that found him on the pavement outside of the vehicle and EMS crews couldn’t revive him.
Rick and Mark Frye we born into a musical family from Grove City, Ohio. Their father was a jazz lover and high school band director. They joined the Dozers in 1983 and Rick, knowing that I was a music historian, promised that we would collaborate on some rock and roll history for kids in Delaware, where he resided.
Each year, since 1991, Phil Dirt and the Dozers were the rhythm support for the Sunny '95 Old Fashion Christmas Show. On the last show, December 23, 2006, I sat next to Rick as he sang the bass lead on "White Christmas," a classic doo-wop song originated by the Drifters in the early 1950s. I was jealous; I love that lead so.
So, If I have an enduring memory of Rick Frye, it will be sung in a basso profundo, "And may all your Christmases be whiiiiiiiiiiiite!"
Bright moments and love to you Brother Rick. There's no business like show business; it's in our blood!
Monday, January 8, 2007
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Arnett News, January, 2007
Arnett Howard and Friends celebrated New Years 2007 for the third consecutive year at the Capitol Club in the Huntington Center. Thanks to Robert Lee and the staff of the Capitol Club for your wonderful hospitality.
Arnett has been keeping company with pianist John Householder lately, jamming with the former Lancaster pianist at the Short North Tavern just before New Years. Arnett agreed to play with John at the Thirsty Ear Tavern (1200 West Third Ave., 299-4987), on Tuesday, January 9th at 10 pm.
John is also music director for A Year With Frog and Toad, being produced by Phoenix Theater for Children at the Vern Reife Center’s Capitol Theater, January 12-14, 2007. Arnett is playing trumpet in the pit band, as the Phoenix cast brings to life Arnold Lobel’s well-loved characters, Frog and Toad. The ticket information is available at http://www.thephoenixonline.org/FT.htm.
Arnett Howard and Friends are appearing at the Winking Lizard Beer Club Party, Sunday, January 14th, 3 pm. at the Winking Lizard’s Crossroads Center location, 100 Hutchinson Avenue in the Worthington area, north of I-270.
For the second consecutive year Arnett and Friends have been invited to entertain at the New Orleans themed Scioto Country Club Winter Ball 2007. The private event takes place on Saturday, January 20th at 6:30 pm. at the club on Riverside Drive.
After a late January snowbird tour of the South, Arnett and his friends team up with Dave Wallingford, Chef Chuck Langstaff and the Bexley Monk Restaurant and Bar for Fat Tuesday. The Bexley Monks hosts a Mardi Gras Party on Tuesday, February 20, 2007, 6:30 pm. at the club’s location, 2232 East Main Street, in Bexley (239-6665, www.bexleymonk.com).
Arnett and Friends journey to the Schuster Center in Dayton for the Dayton Diabetes Gala, Saturday, February 10, 2007, 8 pm., providing music for a Mardi Gras themed party.
Ohio Arts Alive airs on WOSU-89.7 FM each Sunday at 5 pm. February 11, 2007, host Christopher Purdy presents a program entitled "Arnett Howard @ The 502." The program notes say, "Columbus based jazz great Arnett Howard recalls the glory days of jazz in Columbus, with a special tribute to Marty Melman’s 502 Club. We’ll hear interviews with neighborhood residents who recall the Club in its heyday.
Special guest, Nancy Wilson. Performances by 502 favorites Hank Marr, Nancy Wilson, Rusty Bryant, Cannonball Adderley and Miles Davis."
Donato’s Pizza is showing their area managers appreciation by hosting a bash at the Hilton Easton, Sunday, February 25th, 6 pm., featuring Arnett and Friends.
Bob Brighthaupt, executive director of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and chairman of the Capital University jazz Studies Department has made good on a invite to Arnett to present a course on Columbus jazz history. The course is part of the Jazz Arts Group Jazz Academy and classes take place on Wednesdays beginning February 28 through April 4, 2007, 7-9 pm. in Capital University’s Mees Hall, Room 205.
For information on the JAG Jazz Academy call 294-5200 or 477-8395.
Arnett has been keeping company with pianist John Householder lately, jamming with the former Lancaster pianist at the Short North Tavern just before New Years. Arnett agreed to play with John at the Thirsty Ear Tavern (1200 West Third Ave., 299-4987), on Tuesday, January 9th at 10 pm.
John is also music director for A Year With Frog and Toad, being produced by Phoenix Theater for Children at the Vern Reife Center’s Capitol Theater, January 12-14, 2007. Arnett is playing trumpet in the pit band, as the Phoenix cast brings to life Arnold Lobel’s well-loved characters, Frog and Toad. The ticket information is available at http://www.thephoenixonline.org/FT.htm.
Arnett Howard and Friends are appearing at the Winking Lizard Beer Club Party, Sunday, January 14th, 3 pm. at the Winking Lizard’s Crossroads Center location, 100 Hutchinson Avenue in the Worthington area, north of I-270.
For the second consecutive year Arnett and Friends have been invited to entertain at the New Orleans themed Scioto Country Club Winter Ball 2007. The private event takes place on Saturday, January 20th at 6:30 pm. at the club on Riverside Drive.
After a late January snowbird tour of the South, Arnett and his friends team up with Dave Wallingford, Chef Chuck Langstaff and the Bexley Monk Restaurant and Bar for Fat Tuesday. The Bexley Monks hosts a Mardi Gras Party on Tuesday, February 20, 2007, 6:30 pm. at the club’s location, 2232 East Main Street, in Bexley (239-6665, www.bexleymonk.com).
Arnett and Friends journey to the Schuster Center in Dayton for the Dayton Diabetes Gala, Saturday, February 10, 2007, 8 pm., providing music for a Mardi Gras themed party.
Ohio Arts Alive airs on WOSU-89.7 FM each Sunday at 5 pm. February 11, 2007, host Christopher Purdy presents a program entitled "Arnett Howard @ The 502." The program notes say, "Columbus based jazz great Arnett Howard recalls the glory days of jazz in Columbus, with a special tribute to Marty Melman’s 502 Club. We’ll hear interviews with neighborhood residents who recall the Club in its heyday.
Special guest, Nancy Wilson. Performances by 502 favorites Hank Marr, Nancy Wilson, Rusty Bryant, Cannonball Adderley and Miles Davis."
Donato’s Pizza is showing their area managers appreciation by hosting a bash at the Hilton Easton, Sunday, February 25th, 6 pm., featuring Arnett and Friends.
Bob Brighthaupt, executive director of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and chairman of the Capital University jazz Studies Department has made good on a invite to Arnett to present a course on Columbus jazz history. The course is part of the Jazz Arts Group Jazz Academy and classes take place on Wednesdays beginning February 28 through April 4, 2007, 7-9 pm. in Capital University’s Mees Hall, Room 205.
For information on the JAG Jazz Academy call 294-5200 or 477-8395.
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