RHYTHM 'N BLUES 78 : TOMMY DEAN & HIS LOUISIANS ON TOWN & COUNTRY 800 - HIS 1st

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TOMMY DEAN & HIS LOUISIANS ON TOWN & COUNTRY 800

• Titles are 'Just Before Day’ b/w 'Rock Easy'.................................................................Tommy Dean did not become a factor on the Chicago scene until 1945. Under the banner "Tommy Dean and His St. Louisans," he began playing such clubs as the Hurricane Show Lounge (349 East Garfield) and Blue Heaven Theatre Lounge (742 East 63rd). His first appearance in Chicago was at the Hurricane. The ad in the Chicago Defender for January 20, 1945 reads, "Opens Thurs., Jan. 25th, First Chicago Appearance, Direct from an Extensive Tour of Mexico and Southwest, Tommy Dean and His Hot Swing Band." (His 2 week contract with options was accepted and filed by Musicians Union Local 208 on February 1. He filed another contract for 4 weeks on June 21, 1945.) Dean did not appear in the South Side clubs during 1946, but his combo was back the next year. On April 17, 1947, he posted a 4-week contract with the Music Box Lounge. This was followed (on May 1) with a contract for 2 weeks plus options at the Hurricane. On May 3, 1947, the Defender carried a photo of Dean's quartet: "Tommy Dean, and his famed combo headline the attraction at the Hurricane Lounge." The ad in the same issue read, "Tommy Dean & His St. Louisans, direct from the Music Box Lounge," and promised an opening on May 6. The combo moved on to the Blue Heaven Lounge ("indefinite" contract accepted and filed on June 5). Tommy Dean cut his first record, for the St. Louis-based label Town & Country. His band at the time included upcoming saxophonists Gene Easton and Chris Woods. Christopher Columbus Woods was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on December 25, 1925. He began playing professionally there, but moved to St. Louis around the end of World War II. He worked with two mainstays of the St. Louis scene, the Jeter-Pillars Orchestra and the Swing band led by trumpeter George Hudson, before joining Tommy Dean's combo. His main ax was the alto saxophone but Dean chose to feature him on clarinet on the Town & Country session; his alto sax would be heard later, on the Miracle and States sides.
• Here are the details:

1. The record is in E- condition with very light tracking in places.

2. The labels are fine

3. Shipping prices are $7.39. As many of you know, I have recently made the move to Canada. Despite higher postage charges I have committed to keep these costs roughly in line with those in the US even if it means that I make a small loss. All packages will be sent by airmail with tracking and my experience so far is that there has been no delay apart from on a few occasions and some parcels are getting through quicker than US media mail. Rates other than to the US will be advised separately.

4. Full refund is given for any reason if goods are returned within 10 days of receipt

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