Arnie Mossler and the Suncoast Dixielanders
Cornet- Arnie Mossler
Trombone-Vern Yonker
Clarinet-Wifty Walter
Piano-Lee Lockwood
Bass-Red Seal
Drums-Sammy Fletcher
The diminutive musician-artist-cartoonist leads one of the strongest aggregates of the nation's Dixie adherents through their paces as they alternately bounce, stomp, lilt and wail. For Mossler and his merry men, Dixieland isn't an exclusive product of New Orleans. It's a rich blend of the best styles and tunes of that fabled Delta city and the more blatant, commanding style made famous in Chicago. The blend of personnel, setting and style is unique. At a live session beside the Gulf of Mexico, the Chicago based strains of Mossler's cornet are abetted by the strong New Orleans honed trombone of Vern Drapey Yonkers, the cosmopolitan clarinet of Wifty Walters, the solidly swinging piano of Lee Lockwood and the pulsating bass of Red Seal. Rounding out the artists is the exhilirating drum sound of Sammy Fletcher.
-Eric McFail, St. Petersburg Times, 1968
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
We're opening for King Oliver next week. Thank you, St. Genesius.
Your musical influences
Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, Sidney Bechet, Bix Beiderbecke, Eddie Condon, Pete Fountain, Fats Waller,
What equipment do you use?
The real things.