Re: Dave Apollon and his 1923 Loar # 73009
Russian Rag was a novelty piece written by George L. Cobb and ragged the theme from a Rachmaninov piano concerto. Novelty rags were very popular in and before Dave Appolon's. time. My mother whom studied piano at Julliard and played until the day before her passing in 2006 at 91, played many of those rags like Kitten on the Keys, Dizzy Fingers by Zef Confry and others, as well as the original Rachmaninov materials. I have a copy of the original score of Russian Rag if a few affecianados might like a copy, pm me. I performed it with the Kent State orchestra in 1980 with an arrangement by a composition major named George Ferenz who teaches theory in Wisconsin now. We played it as a duet with my ragtime guitar partner and still perform it with a trio.
As far as the remarks about Mr. Appolon's dress, geez it was vaudeville and costumes were part of the act. If you heard the original recordings of the Applon orchestra withe the Phiilipino musicians you can hear what a ham he was. I am lucky enough to have copy of Mandolins, Mandolins from his Las Vegas years, class act I must say.
Showmanship is part of being a pro.
John
2012 Collins MT-2 Birds Eye Maple
1924 Gibson F-4
2010 Custom National Resonator (one of a kind)
1930 National Resonator with new custom neck and "Doug Unger" inlay and back painted by Howard "Louie Bluie" Armstrong
2005 Godin A-8
2013 Kentucky KM-1050 "stage and club mandolin"
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