FJO Tribute-Thress

A Fan Reflects on Last Monday Night

As a long time fan of the Famous Jazz Orchestra, I just had to share my thoughts on last week’s performance.

Those of us lucky enough to attend last Monday night were treated to a surprise guest performance of legendary Mr. Puppet and his ventriloquist dummy, “Rusty Zipper”. Yes, last Monday night will surely go down as one of the greatest milestones in the history of the Famous Jazz Orchestra! I just wish all of you were there to witness the artistic talent of Mr. Puppet who performed for what seemed to a few people to be an hour during the middle of the first set with the band still on stage.

It is hard for me to find the words to describe his act. But, I will try. I would describe it as being “Magical”, “Brilliant”, “Artistic”, “Pure Theater”, “A Great Wit”, “Jazzy Good”, and “Riveting Satire at Its Very Best”. It is a kind of quality talent act you would normally have to drive to Chillicothe to see.

Best yet, was watching the band’s reaction to Mr. Puppet who performed in front of them. Their response was priceless! They were laughing in disbelief of their good fortune that this was actually happening to them! I feel sorry for poor Matt Ellis and Aaron Quinn who couldn’t be there. Perhaps, FJO fan Leo Zupan who has been diligently posting videos of the FJO on YouTube will post a video of Mr. Puppet’s performance for everyone to watch over and over and over again.

I was especially pleased to see about ten nicely dressed young people new to the FJO attend Monday night to hear big band jazz music at its finest. What a bonus they received! They got a funny lecture from Mr. Puppet on the history of early radio, old ventriloquist acts, and old-time burlesque shows. They were so joyfully overwhelmed with this new knowledge that many of them left at the end of the first set to go home and study. They learned a valuable history lesson that back in the 1950s - Rock & Roll and Big Band Jazz were not the only things going on – there were also “dummy” acts! I hope they will be back soon.

I was so inspired with Mr. Puppet, I have worked tirelessly the past several days finding other high-class acts to perform for us on Monday night! Rest assured, I have canvassed the finest nursing homes in central Ohio for recommendations on the best talent acts who have played their facilities. And, now, I am pleased to announce who will be coming to perform for us this Fall! Their actual performance dates are still being negotiated at this time.

Announcement! Coming Soon to the Famous Jazz Orchestra!

Direct from Mount Vernon, Ohio! It is “Oscar the Mime”! Yes, world famous, “Oscar the Mime” comes out of retirement to the FJO. He will perform his mind blowing artistic interpretation of “Man Trapped in a Box” as the band plays its unofficial theme song, “Miles Ahead”. Expect a very full house that night and be sure to come extra early to get your big roundtable.

Direct from the old Garden Theatre in Columbus, Ohio! It is “Miss Randy” – the World’s Oldest Living Burlesque Striptease Artiste! She will perform her scintillating strip tease act and eye popping tassel twirling routine to the band playing Sammy Nestico’s sensual arrangement of “ A Warm Breeze”. Just wait to see what “Miss Randy” does when the band gets to Letter “G”! No one under the age of 50 will be admitted that evening. Life is Good!

Direct from the Franklin County Dog Pound! It’s the “Howling Hound Sisters”. I know you have seen dog acts before. But, wait until you hear this trio of singing basset hounds singing like angels! Enjoy hearing them howl in harmony to the FJO playing “The Girl from Ipanema”, “Black Coffee”, and “My Favorite Things”. Best yet, unlike our human girl singers, these hound “girls” just love a fast tempo and a screaming band behind them. It just makes them howl even louder! They will break your heart!

And, last but not least, direct from the streets of downtown Newark! It is “Big Harry – The One Piece Band”! Who needs a 21 piece jazz band when Big Harry comes to the FJO? Big Harry will kazoo, bang, drum, toot, whistle, bell, ring, chime, stomp, and cymbal his jazz interpretations of the best of Stan Kenton for us! Just wait until you hear him play his arrangement of “Jump for Joe”! Bill Holman, eat your heart out! This will be Big Harry’s new Jazz CD release party and you will sure to want to be able to say afterwards, “I’ve Got Mine!”

In closing, I know there were a few long time FJO fans not happy with Mr. Puppet’s performance. I just can’t understand their negative attitude. There was one old guy near my table who would not stop complaining through out the entire evening! I bet he doesn’t even understand the comic genius of Jerry Lewis. Just lighten-up, Man! Art is Art – whether it is the music of 21 terrific jazz musicians playing their hearts out for us every Monday night under the direction of an incredible bandleader, or the hilarious, gut-retching dirty jokes of a dummy named “Rusty Zipper”. Life just doesn’t get any better!

Your fellow fan of the FJO, Andy Thress