by Henry Mason, with a confirming assist by Jiggs Whigham and Bobby Knight Jiggs Whigam is a trombonist of world renown. He has played with many famous ensembles and one of his early gigs was with Kenton. There is a story going around big band circles that on boring dance jobs, the Kenton trombone section (with Jiggs as ringleader) would come up with "improvements" to some of the music. Many of Kenton's ballads such as "Here's that Rainy Day" and "I've Never Been in Love before" would start off with the trombones stating the melody in a beautiful lush manner. In fact, lush has been used to describe their manner many times... but that is another story. Anyway, the 'bones would state the melody and then Kenton would come in with a piano solo. The "improvment" hatched by Jiggs and the boys, was that the key would be changed a half step up or down. Then the unspecting Kenton would make his entrance and it looked for all the world like Kenton had come in in the wrong key. Since "stories" have a way of happening I asked Jiggs about it. His reply supplied the title for the story: Dear Mr. Mason, Many thanks for your interest. The story is indeed true although i'm not sure if the tune is correct. we used to do it occasionally on 'boring' dance gigs (Elks clubs in the midwest, etc). Stan being the great man he was took it all in stride and laughed and went along with the fun. Probably the funniest thing of all was observing the dancers...all completely oblivious to what was going on! ...boys will be boys. Best regards, Jiggs Whigham Jiggs Whigham has had a stellar career, having performed with or recorded with damn near everyone of note. Be sure to drop in on his website and you'll see that the previous sentence is no exaggeration! P.S. Another "Ringleader," Bobby Knight (of "Great American Trombone Company " fame), after the above story was quoted on the Kenton List, had this to say: "I guess each trombone section had its own trademark spoof on Stanley. Ours was to add a fifth beat to the second and fourth bar of the intro to"Don't Take Your Love From Me". I subsequently e-mailed Bobby, and asked about Stan's reaction to the "fifth beat" trick and his response proves that Stan wasn't above getting even, which I suspect he had to, to keep the restless savages in check: "Stan's reactions were varied. We did these things on dance gigs, and Stan usually was busy fronting, and not paying too much attention to the standard dance charts. He would know that something went wrong, but not be able to pinpoint it at first. A night or two later, he might be paying more attention, and really be shocked. After a time, he got the joke, and laughed along with us. But....he also turned the tables on individuals at times. Once, in concert, in Denver...he called "Early Autumn", my out-front solo piece. As the saxes played the intro I walked up to the mike, and when I started playing, something was terribly wrong..and by the time I figured it out that the whole band had played the intro a half-step up...they were all crying with laughter....including Stan....brought the house down...me with it." I had asked also if there is a current version of the "Trombone Company" and it seems that Mr. Knight is still sliding in fast company. "We were delighted to resurrect the GATC last December in Palm Springs for the Desert Jazz Party. Of the originals, Phil Teele, Frank Capp, Chuck Berghofer and I were there. The trombones were awesome; Andy Martin, Bob McChesney, Alan Kaplan (who had played with the group at times in the seventies) and Ira Nepus..... the rhythm section was also a knockout including Shelley Berg...a fabluous pianist.. It was gratifying to get a great reception after 25 years. Also that the album is still selling out there...makes me wish that I still owned it." Thanks for asking, Bobby Knight Return to Story Archive Menu Send this SJO page to a friend! HISTORY | THE MUSICIANS | OUR MUSIC | PAST CLIENTS | MEMBERSHIP LISTS & LINKS | ANECDOTES | CONTACT US | PHOTO GALLERY SCHEDULE | BOOKING | SOUND FILES | RESOURCES | ANECDOTE ARCHIVE COPYRIGHT© 2003 SJO, INC.