g#-

It sure is! How 'bout that?! Thanks. With two posted threads, somebody with info has to eventually show up.

Greetings All, >Sometime ago I posted a search stating that I was seeking information on the life of Vernon Page who was the sousaphone - NOT tuba - sousaphone or as it was referred to in those days, brass bassist for the Bennie Moten bands up until 1930-31 when he was replaced by Walter Page on the double bass viol. I cannot find my original post; infact, I find this website very difficult to function in. Meanwhile, I came across all these posts discussing Bennie Moten; hence, I'm hoping someone who is familiar with this period in Jazz history can help me out. >I have done an extensive search on Vernon Page. He is in a countless number of photographs in association with the various Moten ensembles he was in throughout the 1920's. I have a number of recordings with his magnificent sound as well as some of his bass lines, on THAT instrument, that at times were as progressive and supportive of the ensembles as those of Ray Brown were to be, many years later on the double bass viol. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION ABOUT HIM ANYWHERE! I cannot believe that such a great musician has been so overlooked. The last documentation I have been able to find is the musician union's files in Kansas City, local 34-627, who had the records of 627 when it was the segregated black musician's union prior to the merger in 1968. There, Vernon Page is registered under sousaphone until 1949. >I am trying to find out the following: >Where did he come from? What happened to him after he, the Walder brothers, Thaymon Hayes, Ed Lewis, Harlan Leonard, et al. left Moten in 1931? What happened to him after 1949? When did he die and where? If he was at all related to Walter Page and/or Orin "Hot Lips" Page (I have read that Walter and Orin were either, cousins, half-brothers, Orin a nephew of Walter's or not related at all). I have spoken to veteran musicians, searched newspapers, consulted museums, Jazz societies, etc. >If anyone who sees this post has information and/or suggestions, I would greatly appreciate your input. I don't get to a computer on a regular basis but I will check in here often. Many thanks. >Musically yours, g#-

Greetings All: >I have been searching for information concerning one of the most extraordinary bassists in the history of Jazz who has been shamefully overlooked by the so-called Jazz historians. His name is Vernon Page. He was the bassist (brass bass i.e., sousaphone) with the legendary Bennie Moten Band of Kansas City throughout the 1920's until sometime in 1931 when he left the band and was replaced by the great and well-known Walter Page of Blue Devil and later, Count Basie fame, on string bass. It is this Bennie Moten Band, also known as The Victor Recording Band that made the sensational recording session of 1932 in Camden, NJ which was issued during the late 1960's under the title,"Count Basie In Kansas City" by RCA Victor. Meanwhile, also on this same issue are performances by the Moten band in 1929 when Vernon Page was still the bassist on sousaphone. I aslo have other historical recordings of the Moten bands prior to 1929. Vernon Page was a bassist way ahead of his time in creative bass line imagination; furthermore, on the sousaphone he provided a foundation for the entire band that created an unequaled band sonority, boardering on symphonic proportions. This man is in a countless number of photographs with Moten; yet, I cannot find a single bit of biographical information about him. I have searched the history books, Jazz museums, Kaycee's musician union records, consulted veteran Jazz players who remember him but cannot provide any pertinent information, etc. I want to know as much about him as I can find e.g., his general life, where he went after he left Moten in 1931, if he remained an active musician, where and when did he die, if he was at all related to Walter Page and/or Orin "Hot Lips" Page (I have read that Walter and Orin were either half-brothers, cousins, Orin a nephew of Walter's, as well as not related at all) etc. Any information any of you out here can provide will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks. >Musically yours, g#-