Raymond Scott, The Hoosier Hot Shots, The Cheap Suit Serenaders, Sol Hoopii, Fred Van Eps, Spike Jones, Dave Taras, Cliff Jackson's Krazy kats, Bo Grupus, The Korn Kobblers, Tiny Parham, Slim Gaillard, Roy Smeck, The Beau Hunks, Louis Jordan,Billy Murray, Fletcher Henderson, Bennie Moten, McKinney's Cotton Pickers, Crazy Otto, Jimmie, Noone, King Oliver, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington's Jungle Band, Arthur Fields, Bert Williams, The California Ramblers, Johnny Dodds, Ruth Etting, The Tennessee Tooters, The All Star Trio, Annette Hanshaw, Ben Selvin's Knickerbockers, Irving Mills & His Hotsy Totsy Gang, Vaughn DeLeath, Leroy Shield, Jean Goldkette, Paul Whiteman, Rudy Wiedoeft more to follow...
Listening to...
Sounds Like
An out of control calliope cranked by a one-legged, eye patch wearing dwarf in lederhosen. Played while running down a cobblestone street chased by a pack of rabid dogs, after having just been told by his girlfriend, Cheri the Contortionist, that she is leaving him for the Ingmar the Invincible (the Strong Man). All this is channeled through a straight alto saxophone. That is what Cranky sounds like.
Cranky caught live on Congress Street, Portland Maine Oct. 3, 2008:
The Clown School Dropouts were a legend in the Portland Maine area back in the halcyon days before the Bushies ruined everything.
As one half of the Clown School Dropouts and the main melodist, keeper of the repertoire, I bring these refreshingly original songs to the streets of Portland. Literally, busking on Congress Street and in Tommy's Park on a regular basis.
Cranky the Clown School Dropout as Street Musician.
This past year I've learned about a dozen Klezmer tunes that I've worked into the classic CSD song bag,. As many of our originals are influenced, or informed by, Klezmer this was no stretch and perhaps a logical conclusion. Many of the cover tunes are from the 20's and 30's hot jazz, novelty jazz period. Currently I'm working on some dixieland and ragtime covers.
I brief biography of the Clown School Dropouts can be found at our defunct web site: http://www.geocities.com/clownschooldropouts
And if you want to find out about the 'other sides' of Cranky visit here:www.ubustudio.com
Cranky the Clown School Dropout's Friend Space (Top 17)
