Kid Bastien/Grossmans/Camelia Band - Eh La Bas!

Here's a little bit of Toronto jazz history for you. Regretfully the clip is all too short but it does show Grossman's Tavern on one of its original Saturday jazz matinees, as Cliff vocalises on "Eh La Bas".
Cliff "Kid" Bastien had brought his Camelia Band into Grossmans Tavern for the first time in May 1970. He had recently switched to cornet from banjo -- which he had been playing with the short-lived Magnolia Jazz Band. In this film clip he is supported by Pete Savory on trombone; George Berry -- tenor sax; Max Leggatt -- string bass; Mal Dyson -- tenor banjo and Robert Rayner was sitting in on drums.
This film clip is dated around December 1970. Pianist John Mathieson is not there yet - he joined the band a little later in January 1971. Regular drummer Geoff Baines is missing too but they both played with the Camelia on their first LP, issued in March 1971. Too bad the clip is so short and we do not hear a cornet solo!
There's an earlier LP by the Black Eagle Jazz Band recorded December 16 1964 where "Cliff Bastin" (sic) is listed as playing banjo. There were two further LP's by the Camelia. One recorded December 1972 and the other September 1975. By this time the band's name had changed to "Kid Bastien's Camelia Jazz Band", with some personnel changes.
Thanks for the help with the history, from those who were around in those days - Max Leggatt; Bill Winters and the rest!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• New
• Orleans
• Jazz;
• traditional;
• revival;
• trad';
• dixieland;
• Toronto;
• Grossmans
• Tavern

[cary56248]

its great to see the boys again,,,cliff and i both lived at 24 hazleton ave during the late 60s and i remember the the faces and parties..hey max,carla,dennis etc. would love to hear from you.caryvokes@gmail.com

[MrChudder]

"Kid" Bastien was one of the hilites of my graduate school days at Grossman's Tavern Saturday afternoons. Thanks for this trip down memory lane.

[fubar50cat]

just another comment, after seeing the conga line in another vie, I think that Kid really started that conga line, but anyway, we all loved it and we all danced in it. Kid,,,,,,,wherever you are, you are loved for the joy you brought to us, and I mean all the people in the band, they were all great

[bskiff458]

Awesome, I wasnt in this world when this footage was filmed, but I play at Grossmans on a regular basis these days. Sure makes you appreciate the place & its rich history.... Cheers

[KIKIGENIN]

Document très émouvantmais hélas un peu trop court!

KIki

[fubar50cat]

what can I say, I might have been there when this clip was filmed. So long since I have seen Kid,  but it seems like last week, even the t-shirts are perfect. Damn nice, but it kind of hurts, too, I really do miss those days

[rocktenniscat]

RIP Cliff "KId". We've gone to two Kid Bastien Kick-Ass Memorial shows at Grossman's. Also, when Butch Thompson came up (piano player/bandleader from Prairie Home Companion)

This great music just HAS to live on!  Come on down to Grossman's and have a great time with The Happy Pals....

[framer98]

WOW!! My old safe house,

Downchild,Mike McDonald,Danny Marks,

Now I get to see Morgan Davis in the Maritimes.

Marni & Mike, Mich ,,,,Oh what memories ,,,by the way Mitch ''it`s your round''!

[howardjc08]

Awsome!!

[wooltonboy]

Thanks so much for this! I spent many a saturday afternoon at grossmans watching Kid and the band......what memories.....I even have a signed album!

Cheers

Phil