LIGHTHOUSE

Double bassist Harold Rumsey was a byword in jazz in the 1950s. Leaving the Stan Kenton Orchestra after an argument, he formed his Lighthouse All-Stars, creating a new jazz venue and introducing audiences to the newest champions of modern jazz all at the same time. He’s this week’s Phantom Dancer with Greg Poppleton feature artist.

PHANTOM DANCER

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RUMSEY

Howard Rumsey became a bassist after first playing piano and drums. He first played professionally in the bands of Vido Musso, Johnnie Davis and Stan Kenton.

You’ll hear a Rumsey solo with Stan Kenton on this week’s Phantom Dancer.

He then played bass for Barney Bigard and Charlie Barnet.

LIGHTHOUSE

After playing in big bands he formed the Lighthouse All-Stars. For most of the 1950s the All-Stars played Sundays at the Lighthouse Cafe in Hermosa Beach, California and were one of the main modern jazz bands on the U.S west coast.

Rumsey found the Lighthouse in early 1949 and sold the idea of having jazz in the venue to it’s new owners. Opening night, 29 May 1949, was a huge success with a band that included Los Angeles musicians Sonny Criss, Teddy Edwards, Hampton Hawes, Frank Patchen, Bobby White and Keith Williams.

SECOND

After a few years, Rumsey formed a second edition of the Lighthouse All-Stars with Jimmy Giuffre, Shorty Rogers and Shelly Manne.

THIRD

Rogers, Giuffre and Manne left together in 1953 for another job leading to a third edition includong Bud Shanks, Bob Cooper, Rolf Ericson and Max Roach.

This band took part in a historic recording on 13 September 1953, Roach’s first show with the group, that featured Chet Baker and Miles Davis, with Russ Freeman andLorraine Geller.

END

By the early 1960s, Los Angeles had lost interest in jazz. Rumsey moved on to own and operate ‘Concerts By The Sea’ in Redondo Beach, California between 1971 – 1985.

This week’s Phantom Dancer video of the week featires Rumsey’s Lighthouse Five on the early 1960s Los Angeles TV show ‘Frankly Jazz’. Happy viewing…