Johnny Ringer's Orchestra - The Varsity Drag
  • 11 years ago
This is yet another of those 1920s bandleaders who are totally forgotten today, and so is his 1927 version of a well-known tune. It was pretty difficult to find information about this musician and his Rosemont Ballroom based Orchestra. The Rosemont Ballroom was located in Brooklyn and was owned by the same family that owned Roseland in New York City. The building was destroyed by a fire on February 19th,1942. "The Billboard" of February 28, 1942 wrote: "Largest and most elaborate dansant in Brooklyn was completely lost, with damage estimated at more than $250,000 (...)". As for Johnny Ringer, he was a drummer. in addition to the few sides under his own name, Ringer made two recordings with Johnny Sylvester and His Orchestra. Several of the musicians in the band are well known jazzmen: Andy Sanella, Jimmy Lytell, and Joe Tarto. The vocalist on this great side is Arthur Fields.