Bad News Bugs Musicians, Not Their Bash

For local music-makers, there is bad news as well as goodon the eve of Sunday’s Orange County Musicians’ Bash in Costa Mesa, the annual blowout that this year will feature 50 local jazz and classical groups on five stages.

The biggest piece of bad news, according to event chairman Frank Amoss, is what he called the “tragic” and continuing dearth of live entertainment on the local nightclub scene--compounded by the recent closing of Santa Ana’s Camelot Restaurant, which for years offered live big-band music.

Camelot, Amoss said, “was one of the holdouts, where people could dance to something other than rock.”

When Amoss had guests from out of town ask for a place to go dancing, he “would always send them to the Camelot,” he said.

The bad news includes last summer’s decision by Los Angeles Rams management to switch from union to less expensive, non-union musicians for games in Anaheim Stadium. Orange County Musicians’ Assn. Local 7, of which Amoss is president, filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging unfair labor practices.

No settlement has been reached, but Amoss hinted that one may be in the works: “They’re expressing interest in returning to (union) musicians.” But any agreement is not likely to come in time to affect their remaining games this season.

The good news for working musicians, Amoss said, is that the employment picture remains healthy on other fronts, with several local orchestras, year-round employment offered by Disneyland and plenty of free-lance gigs generated by a busy convention trade.

“It does create a base,” Amoss said. The union, which sponsors the Musicians’ Bash, has kept membership fairly steady at about 1,200 in recent years.

Still, Amoss lamented, “it’s lean pickings for live music” on the nightclub scene. The annual event, which drew a record paying crowd of 2,000 last year (in addition to all the performers), is designed to help satisfy the local hunger for live bands.

“There are people who wait for this all year,” Amoss said. Without extensive publicity, organizers of the Bash have already sold all 500 available pre-sale tickets (admission will be available at the door).

This year, the bash will return to the Red Lion Inn in Costa Mesa. The event runs from noon to 10 p.m., with a new band taking each of five stages every hour through 10 p.m. The Grand Ballroom will play host to big bands; one of the four other rooms will feature small classical ensembles, one will have jazz combos, another will feature Dixieland and the last will have singers and lounge entertainers.

Radio personality Chuck Cecil, who has been host for various big-band and swing programs, will be the event’s grand marshal. Proceeds will benefit the union’s emergency relief and scholarship funds.

Most of the bands are based in Orange County or at least have county members, although a few are coming down from Los Angeles County (one of the more unusual is the Terrible Tempered Trombones, a 15-piece ensemble).

The day’s big band lineup includes Bernie Farr, the Al Latour Big Band Command, Keith Williams, John Henderson, Norm Major, Harry Babbitt with the Vocalworks Quartette (and former members of the Kay Kyser Orchestra), Tracy Wells, Amoss, Bob Cassens & the Orange County Rhythm Machine and the Carl Scroggins Western Swing Band.

In addition to his own big band, Amoss (a drummer) will perform with his Dixieland outfit the Mississippi Mudders and as drummer for Babbitt.

Amoss, formerly vice president, took over the reins of the union after February’s death of longtime president Doug Sawtelle. There was one hitch: The office of Local president is full time, which would have forced Amoss to give up his own music-making.

The union worked out a solution: Secretary-treasurer Bob Stava went to full time, allowing Amoss to perform his union duties on a part-time basis--and to continue his musical pursuits.

“I’m not ready to give up my playing career,” Amoss said with a smile.

The Orange County Musicians’ Festival, Bash ‘89, will offer continuous music from noon to 10 p.m. Sunday at the Red Lion Inn, 3050 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. Tickets: $12.50 at the door (children under 12 free). Information: (714) 546-8166.