Leaving their Rose house School St. location in 1959 only after it was needed for the growing Rose family, the Band went next to the Ward 5 on Winter St. James Walczak tells us that he played trombone with the band during those years in the Ward 5 basement. He said it was grand to play somewhere every weekend, especially at the Portuguese Festas. Later practice took place at the Eagles Club on Lawrence St. in Taunton, the Gun and Rifle Club on E. Brittania, back to the Ward 5 and then to the Veteran's of Foreign Wars on Engle St. Someone will have to take on the more recent history of the Band which still plays today.
We know that young musicians were nurtured By John Gonsalves and the band. Often they went on to make their names in bigger venues. Here are more of them and their stories.
Darrly Bayer played with the Boston Pops under Harry Ellis Dixon, also with Destiny's Child, The OJ's, The Temptations and the Four Tops as well as Michael Bolton. His grandfather, Mr. Schine, ran the little variety store that my Uncle John Bernadino once ran on School Street.
John Gonsalves himself had a son, Jack, whom he taught to play the trumpet. After years following his father's footsteps in the band he form ed the Jack D'John trio with two other musicians, brothers Dan and John Majkut.
The Trio went off to Las Vegas to make their name, playing in all the big hotels: The Sands, The Flamingo, Cesar's Palace. Often they opened for big name acts such as Bill Cosby. Once Bill Cosby was very late, so the Trio played nearly the whole evening wowing the crowd. Headlines the next day read "Unknowns Outshine Cosby". The Trio is still familiar to all of us.
Jack also had a son who followed in his father's and grandfather's footsteps. Jay Gonsalves is known for the BaHa Boys who began 20 years ago. The Brothers have played in Las Vegas, Treasure Island, Puerto Rico, Bermuda and for 14 years in their beloved Key West. Last year they were invited to play with their idol Jimmy Buffet in Newport, RI.
Here is where the big circle closes and I come in. Carol Souza, my sister-in-law, wife of my brother Frank, is former wife to Jack and mother to Jay. Certainly when I listened and danced to the BaHa Brothers....I had no idea of the legacy that I was tapping into.
Village ties run deep and far and wide. The Taunton City Band was born in the Village and will always belong to it in a special way. May the Band play on...and on....and on....
Your work on the Taunton City Band was awesome. I enjoyed every bit of it.I was so glad that I was able to help you. Your entry on Joe Crovelho was written so beautifully! I really enjoyed the audio and video. Arlene
ReplyDeleteSandy,I really enjoyed the section on the band members who made it big.Your information on the Jack D John was so interesting!
ReplyDeleteI just loved seeing the picture of my brotherNorman and cousin David.My cousin posted the picture because of his birthday on January 23rd.Both he and Norman were born in January of 1945.My brother was born on the 29th. Although David grew up in Bridgewater, he and Norman were good friends.His father was my Uncle Tony's son.The last time I saw David was at Norman's funeral in 2005. As David gets older,he looks so much like Norman.
ReplyDeleteSandy,I'm sorry I didn't ever mention that Norman had died.I thought you knew. He died of pancratic cancer.The doctor gave him six months and that's how long he lasted. Although he died young,he packed a lot of living in his short 60 years.He really enjoyed life!