Q.
I have a bet with a friend of mine. Here’s my question: I told him that Erroll Garner wrote Misty on a match cover while having coffee in a cafe in New York. Also, he sat on a Manhattan phone book while he played the piano. Thank you. – Al Lerza, Margate
A.
You are certainly right about Garner sitting on the phone book because he was so short. This is a well-established fact about this brilliant pianist. The story about his writing Misty on a matchbook cover has been kicking around for many, many years. Whether this is myth or fact, I am unable to say. However, I think you deserve to win your bet.
Q.
While listening to the Irish Christmas Perry Como show on Public TV I heard the most beautiful song that he sang. However, he didn’t name it, just went from one song to another, unannounced. I hope that you know the name of the song, and where I can locate it – preferably sheet music. Thanks. – Floris Fried, Coconut Creek
A.
You can get the sheet music for the song, And I Love You So, at Harmony Hall, 6315 Third Ave. Kenosha, WI 53143-5199; phone 1-800-876-7464.
Q.
A few years ago at Christmas time, I was listening to WLRN’s Saturday night jazz and blues program. The station played an arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite by Duke Ellington. I have searched for a recording of that arrangement to no avail. Can you help? – Susan E. Prillaman, Delray Beach
A.
Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite can be obtained on an LP at Sir Arthur’s Oldies, 7401 NW 57th St., Tamarac 33319; 1-305-722-8303.
Q.
A friend of mine from my home in Scotland has written and asked me if I would find a tape or record of Wayne Newton singing Danny Boy. So far I’ve had no luck in South Florida’s record stores. I hope you can help. – Scott Young, Davie A.
Adapted frm the traditional Irish Londonderry Air (1855), it was written by Frederick Edward Weatherly in 1913 with the title Danny Boy. You can get this recording on an LP at Sir Arthur’s Oldies, 7401 NW 57th St., Tamarac 33319; 722-8303.
Notes to readers
Recommended to Frank Sinatra fans and collectors: Frank Sinatra, The Best of the Columbia Years, 1943-1952. A deluxe four-CD box set with 97 digitally remastered songs including standards, rare recordings and alternate takes. Plus a 72-page full-color booklet featuring comprehensive liner notes, dozens of photos, and a complete discography. This Columbia/Legacy collection can ordered from Mr. Nostalgia, P.O. Box 26494, Tamarac 33320; (305) 726-5420.
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For Nita Sharon, Fort Lauderdale – Thank you very much for your letter about famous singing star Mary Small. It’s so nice to know that you have been friends for 35 years. As a result of your contacting her, I received a lovely letter from Mary Small, and a photo, and she informs me that she still appears in supper clubs. However, most of her work is coaching popular singers in New York City. She also tells me that she is sending reader Lillian Willer a recent tape. Mary Small is really a class act!
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For Celia Rosiello, Margate – You can get your record player repaired at Everything Audio, 70 NE 167th St., North Miami Beach 33162; 1-305-653-0128.
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For the Kings Point Players – Thanks to a very kind reader, Alice Tanney, in Boca Raton, you can get the sheet music for When the Lights Go on Again. You can reach her at 1-407-487-2458.
Marvin Randolph’s column answers readers’ questions relating to popular music and jazz of the early 1900s through 1960. Please! No inquiries about music composed after 1960. No opera, no classical, no children’s. No Appraisals. Only popular music and jazz. Send your questions to Showtime, Sun-Sentinel, 3333 S. Congress Ave., Delray Beach, Fla. 33445; attention: Musical Memories.
