For a brief moment in the late 1940s, trombonist Tommy Dorsey led a hip bop-hued big band. The orchestra's personnel included Charlie Shavers, Chuck Peterson, Vernon Arslan and Jack Dougherty (tp); Nick DiMaio and Dick Noel (tb); Billy Ainsworth (cl,as); Sid Cooper (as); Boomie Richman and Babe Fresk (ts); Marty Berman (bar); Paul Smith (p); Sam Herman (g); Norman Seelig (b); and Louie Bellson (d), along with Tommy Dorsey (tb,ldr). [Photo of Billy Ainsworth, above, courtesy of Laura Ainsworth]
Here's how tight they were on Pussy Willow, arranged by Bill Finegan:
I recently heard from Laura Ainsworth, Billy Ainsworth's daughter, who sent along a batch of great family photos. Billy began his recording career in Ray McKinley's band in 1946 and then joined Dorsey's band in 1948. In 1950, he recorded with Tex Beneke (when the band featured Eydie Gorme). Then Billy recorded again with Dorsey in 1951. That's his last jazz recording entry in the Jazz Discography.
Writes Laura: "After the big-band hit-record era waned, my dad continued playing with a lot of bands live and recording on commercial and production music sessions. He was a part of Freddy Martin’s house band at the Coconut Grove, which was there well into the ‘60s."
The following are photos of the late Billy Ainsworth in the late 1940s and early '50s, courtesy of Laura Ainsworth from her family collection, providing us with insight into the post-World War II big band era...
Reeds and trumpets in the Tex Beneke band in 1950. Front row, from left, Johnny White (as) and Billy Ainsworth (cl); top row, from left, Ed Gerlach (ts), Teddy Lee (as), Bobby Nichols (tp) and Gene Cipriano (ts).
The reed section of the Ray McKinley band. From left, Deane Kincaide, Billy Ainsworth, Ray Beller and Peanuts Hucko, c. 1946.
Another shot of the same section, with Billy Ainsworth, Ray Beller and Peanuts Hucko. Nick Travis is likely in the trumpet section, Lou Stein was on piano and Mundell Lowe was on guitar.
Arranger Billy May leading an early 1950s Tex Beneke recording session, with Billy Ainsworth, second from left in the front row. Mel Lewis was likely the drummer on the session.
The Tex Beneke sax section at New York's Paramount Theatre in Times Square. Billy Ainsworth is fourth from the left.
The Tommy Dorsey reed section, c. early 1950s, with Billy Ainsworth in the middle.
The Tex Beneke band, with Eydie Gorme seated, front, and Billy Ainsworth on clarinet, second from the left and standing in the reed section.
The Ray McKinley sax section, c. 1947, with Billy Ainsworth, second from the left, and Sam Butera, far left. Butera would go on to play sax with Louis Prima in the 1950s.
Billy Ainsworth, just behind Doc Severinsen, c. 1970s.
Here's more from Laura about her father:
"Dad was always on the road. He was something of a gourmet and chef, and other musicians have told me he always knew where to find the best food—especially the best bread pudding—in every town. He played in showroom bands behind big name stars, including Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Tom Jones, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. and many others at Las Vegas's Desert Inn and in Dallas, usually at the Fairmont Hotel's Venetian Room. He had his pilot’s license and would rent small planes to fly to gigs. He also flew our family on vacations to Los Angeles and Palm Springs. Once, after an especially harrowing landing as a kid, I swore never to get on a small plane again.
"He also played live with the Ernie Felice Quartet. They were playing at the Tail O' the Cock restaurant in L.A. when a woman named Louanne Hall came in. It was her birthday and she was feeling depressed because she didn't have a date. She didn't want to go out, but her girlfriends dragged her to the restaurant. My dad spotted her from the stage, leaned over to one of his bandmates and said, 'Now, there's a face I could look at for the rest of my life.' During a break, he ginned up his courage (which must've taken a lot, because he was quite shy) and introduced himself to her. That woman became his wife and my mother." [Photo above of Louanne Ainsworth]
You'll find more about Laura Ainsworth, as well as her latest album, New Vintage, here.
