SYLMAR : Jazz Band to Mark a Noteworthy End

They got paid peanuts and performed at a pizza parlor.

But for the Jazzin’ Babies Jazz Band, the Wednesday night gig at the Red Vest Pizza Parlor in Sylmar has been quite a tradition.

But the tradition is about to end.

After almost 18 years, the band will play together tonight for the last time.

“It’s a sad occasion,” said group founder Dave Dolson, 54, “but time moves on.”

Dolson and the six other members made the decision a few weeks ago to pursue separate projects.

The band has faced the music, and they’re not crazy about how it sounds.

“It’s no longer up to speed,” said Dick Miller, who plays cornet, “and everybody realizes it.”

Another problem has been the challenge of replacing members.

“It’s very difficult to get someone to make a long-term commitment,” said Larry Fisher, 50, who plays drums.

Still, they’ll miss the music they made, one another, and, of course, their audience.

“Some of the fans have been there for 18 years,” Fisher said. “It was like having our relatives come over every Wednesday night.”

The band, which specialized in traditional jazz tunes from the 1920s and 1930s from such performers as King Oliver, Scott Joplin and Louis Armstrong, certainly didn’t get together for the money.

For years, each member got $10 each on Wednesday nights until two years ago when the parlor couldn’t even afford that.

The band puts a tip jar in front, and the restaurant makes up the difference to equal $70 for the seven musicians.

But the group is very grateful for the long gig.

“They’ve gone out of their way to make it a pleasant experience,” Dolson said. “They’ve kept the piano there for us.”

Will there be a special farewell tonight?

“We’ll just play our music and say goodnight,” Dolson said.

Just like any other Wednesday.