Episode 19-November 29, 1948

Our last episode for November of 1948 is also the last of four broadcasts with the estimable Tommy Todd (joined by Jud De Naut on bass and Ralph Collier on drums). Whether Tommy and Bob knew this was Tommy’s last date is a detail lost to history, but the session heard here clearly shows why Bob held him in such high regard. His adventurous nature is evident right off the bat in the “Sweet Georgia Brown” intro. This night we’ve got a substitute announcer “Hal” (fret not, Eddie will be back next week) who ushers in “The Continental” (we heard Ray Sherman play this in Episode 11). Song star Margo Powers holds the torch in “Maybe You’ll Be There” and acquits herself very nicely compared to the previous “NG” broadcast (our bonus of August 21, 1948). Next, a remarkable version of “I’ll Remember April”-Bob and Tommy’s interplay and Ralph Collier roaming from drums to percussion make this a standout. Margo comes back for “Lullaby Of Broadway”, which yet again shows off the band’s dexterous capabilities. The finale is “Cumana” (we’ve heard it in Episodes 1, 3, and 10), and what a finale it is-Tommy’s hypnotic, hyperkinetic solo, Ralph jumping from drums to percussion and back, and Bob’s sure-handed, propulsive lead guitar driving this whirling dervish to its conclusion. Our “Lady Be Good” outro is feels like the cool down after a race… 

The last word on Tommy Todd, from Bob: “Tommy Todd was close to being as good a piano player I have ever worked with. We worked around Hollywood in various nightclubs in late 46 47 and were on the way to greater things when Tommy decided to take another path with Jack Daniels.”