Battle of the Bands! -- November 30, 2024

San Francisco Examiner, 05-November-1924

I would like to have seen this show. It featured a battle of the bands between two long-time San Francisco leaders. Vernon Alley was a string bass player who spent many years working in and around San Francisco. He was also an alumnus of Count Basie and Lionel Hampton's bands. The city named an alley (of course) after him in 2010. With trumpeter Lu Watters and the Yerba Buena Jazz Band, Turk Murphy helped to drive the traditional jazz revival that started in the Bay Area before World War II.  Murphy served in the Navy during the war, then rejoined the Watters band until 1947, when he left to form his own band.  

Alley #4 -- February 9, 2010

Vernon Alley, near the China Warehouse, is too modern-looking for my taste, but it was named in honor of Vernon Alley, the string bass player, who spent many years working in and around San Francisco. He was also an alumnus of Count Basie and Lionel Hampton's bands. Vernon Alley died in 2004.

It was very cold today.