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Kenny interviews superb woodwind player Sid Blair at his home in Ormond Beach, FL. Sid recounts the life of an on-call musician in Detroit from the 40's to the 80's, and then here in Florida afterwards. Starting public school music programs from scratch, playing Carnegie Hall with the Detroit Symphony, late night recording sessions at Motown Records, & playing with Nelson Riddle, Mel Tormé, the Temptations and more, all the while becoming one of the swingin-est jazz cats in the motor city; Sid's really done it all. He continues to be the go-to guy for anyone looking for a killer tenor, luxurious flute or exquisite clarinet, and is a hero to sax players throughout the state.

Right-click palmcoastjazz.blogspot.com and select open in another tab to view photos of Sid that accompany the interview.
 
Hosts: Allison Paris and Kenny MacKenzie

00:00 ~ Allison's introduction

01:05 ~ Music: Sid Blair with the St. Augustine Jazz Society All-Stars Live - Labor Day 2011
        (S Blair - tenor sax, K MacKenzie - piano, Larry Nadar - bass, Scott Mariash - drums)

02:07 ~ Sid's childhood, musical family, first clarinet and musical beginnings. Sid starts     
          gigging at age 14, listening and learning.

06:40 ~ Recollections of listening to music in dime store, learning the solos of the masters.
           Sid gets clarinet lessons from Dr. Keith Stein.

          (background music -  more from the St. Augustine Labor Day concert 2011)

08:55 ~ Sid gets drafted United States Army Air Forces, and manages to join a big band of  
          experienced musicians. Sid gets exposed to jazz in East St. Louis.

10:45 ~ 1946 discharged from service. Marries childhood sweetheart Helen & starts family.
          Gigging with Red Overton in Virginia. Sid opts to go to Wayne State U, and begins
          10 year stint with George Gumbrecht.

          (background music from Sid's album "Blast from the Past" [2008]
          S Blair - tenor, Lee Quick - piano, Sally Quick - bass, Jay Messick - drums)

13:15 ~ Graduates & begins teaching and starts 2 music programs from scratch. Kids excel.

           (background music - performance c. 1961 by Grant Jr. High School Symphonic Band
            formed & directed by Sid Blair)

16:00 ~ Sid designs the band & choir rooms, becomes adjudicator for music festivals in MI
           for Jack Pierson. He is made Fine Arts Chairman for school system.

17:45 ~ Music - performance with Sid Blair and the East Detroit High School Jazz Band.

18:40 ~ Sid & Helen develop theatre group & performance venue.

20:20 ~ 1950 - Sid doesn't audition but plays bass clarinet for Phi Mu Alpha Symphonic  
           Band. Plays lead alto in Tom Houghton's band. Joins pianist/composer Bob DuRant's 
           band. Sid begins theatre work with the Nederlander Theatrical agency, constantly
           in work (& demand) in Detroit; while still working as Fine Arts Chairman.

           (background/foreground music - selections by Bob Durant Big Band with Sid Blair)

26:20 ~ Sid is on call with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under Sixten Ehrling. Sid studies
           with Larry Teal. Tours playing Rimsky-Korsakov, playing Carnegie Hall & Kennedy 
           Center.

30:30 ~ (background music - selection by Jack Brokensha)

           Sid's health gives out, retires from school district, and become a full-time musician.
           Starts playing with John Trudell band, doing recording sessions for Jack Brokensha.

32:10 ~ Music: Sid Blair playing lead tenor with the John Trudell Band (circa 1980s).

33:30 ~ Wolverine Jazz Band, life as on-call musician for famous acts; Sid recollects working
           with Henry Mancini, Nelson Riddle/Linda Rondstadt, Michel Legrand, Sarah Vaughan.

37:10 ~ Remembrances of: Helen O'Connell, Ann Jillian, Larry Elgart, Bob Hope, the 
           Tempations & the Four Tops and Mel Tormé. Sid does recording session for Motown  
           and other Detroit labels.

42:30 ~ 1990 Sid & Helen "retire" to Ormond Beach, Florida.

43:30 ~ Music - selection from Sid Blair album recorded in Detroit after Sid moved to FL
            (S Blair - tenor, Bill Hart - trumpet, Buddy Budson - piano, Dan Pliskow - bass)

44:05 ~ Sid's amazing musical fortune continues immediately in FL. Works with Joe Moses, 
          Joe Odom, Frank Roberts. Quits bands and works shows for Warren Bills and takes
          local gigs. Sid remembers gigs with Carol Channing, Lawrence Welk Singers,
           
48:15 ~ Sid plays for big bands on cruise ships for several years. Sid plays concert in Palm 
          Coast (European Village) for NEFJA with his son, daughter in law as 3 Blairs + 2.
          Work with Jim Miller's Big Band America and feature concerts at Stetson University.

50:25 ~ Music - selection with Sid Blair on clarinet and James Blair on electric piano.
           
51:30 ~ Sid up to today aged 85 (2011) still gigging on call and with Lenny Glasso, Frankie 
              Kay and Sal Ronci.

52:45 ~ Music - impromptu performance by Sid on flute!

54:00 ~ Sid's legacy of music in his children & grandchildren.

           (background/foreground music - Overture di Festival composed by Nathan Blair
             - Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra - Christopher Wilkins - 2007)

57:00 ~ more on grandchildren; closing thoughts and more Sid on flute, live!

59:15 ~ Allison - closing remarks and info.

          (Palm Coast Jazz Closing Theme by Seven Octaves)

This podcast copyright 2011 Kenny MacKenzie. Contact for (free) broadcast permission and modifications.