Remembering Tom Shea
To the Editor:
What a pleasure to read the article by Brandon Byrne about Tom Shea.
Tom was an integral part of my career and that of the Cakewalkin’ Jass Band. I used to get together with Tom and Dick Saunders (sousaphone) to jam. I so enjoyed the sound of the sousaphone, piano, and clarinet trio that I decided to record an LP. Unfortunately, by the time I did it, both Tom and Dick had passed. Thus, I used the CJB’s tubaist Jamie Wight and the great piano player Mike Montgomery.
At Tony Packo’s Café, we would march around the place at some time in the evening. Some probably don’t know that Tom was also a banjoist. In fact, he was a sub on banjo with the CJB. One night we were marching around and Tom asked if I wanted to do something interesting. I agreed and he said to march into the women’s john. So we did. It became a tradition that has gone on since. Just so no-one gets to upset with such a tradition, in all the decades we have been doing it, only two women got upset. One lead to one of the greatest stories about the band!
Tom was a fantastic piano player and a really great person. He died way too young.
Ray Heitger
Toledo, OH
Has this Boat Sailed?
To the Editor:
A great opportunity has been missed over the last 50 years of Trad Jazz festivals. It has been the opportunity to build the next generation of Trad fans. Our little boy atte
