JIVE BOMBERS, The

The Jive Bombers, Sand Point, May 2, 1944. Photo by U.S. Navy, courtesy National Archives.

Homebase: Sandpoint Naval Air Station, Seattle
Stats: 1943-1945
Misc Notes: "In January 1943, the U.S. Naval Military Band transferred from the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois to Sand Point Naval Air Station in Seattle. The band consisted of about 24 members. The Military Band was transferred to Sand Point Naval Air Station in January 1943. They performed weekly at bond rallies in 'Victory Square' which was located in downtown Seattle in front of the Olympic Hotel on University Street between 4th and 5th Avenues. They also participated in parades, and performed at various Navy functions. Several members of the band (about 18 of the below-named individuals) formed a jazz group, calling themselves the 'Jive Bombers.' They performed locally (out of uniform) at various private functions -- such as weddings and fraternity parties -- often with jazz groups organized by local musicians such as Al Hickey and Bob Marshall.

First Row
Robert Braxton, clarinet
Andrew E. Wade, III, clarinet
Al Hickey, clarinet
Wm. Funderburg, saxophone
Charles Ethridge, saxophone
John Irons, trumpet
"Doc" Wheeler, trumpet
J. Chavis, trumpet
Second Row
John Willis
"Baby" Greer
"Deany" Clark
Clifton Rice
Robert Young
unidentified
F. Leftrict
Dave Bradford
Alvin Cola

Standing
[unidentified]
Jarvis
J. Jacquet
Alvin Larkins
Robert Marshall
Edward Middleton
Edwin Middleton

After discharge from the service, some members of the Jive Bombers remained in the area and continued to play professionally for private and public social functions and dances. Additional local musicians who performed with these groups included: Kenny Boas (piano), "Baby" Greer, Ralph Davis (drums), Elmer Gill (piano), Duke Moore (drums), Johnny Moton (piano), Wyatt "Bull" Ruther (base), Leon Vaughn (trumpet), and Gerald Wiggins (piano). [Text adapted from Historylink.org]

TITLE

LABEL

SERIAL

DATE

"Rosetta"

Western Recording Studios

#

1945

MISC NOTES: This is a one-off acetate reference disc owned by Ray Garcia.