Bert Bassett

[Steve Harrison]

(I've put this request on the other CB site also). Information about Bert Bassett is scant on the web, can anyone enlighten me?...Steve,

[thereallyniceman]

I can't help either, but that is a very good question!  He was a prolific composer. Maybe someone with old back issues of BMG may be able to help. I have looked through mine... but no luck.

It would be an interesting piece of history as I have quite a number of his compositions. I agree, we should know more about him!

Ian

[marc dalmasso]

i add a picture of him with the cello ( from a BMG )

[Richard William Ineson]

Bert Bassett (1894 - 1937) became the editor of B.M.G. in March 1933, taking over from Emile Grimshaw, I can't really remember much more about him apart from this and the fact that he also played the cello. His compositions are quite good but never seemed to take off in a big way, 'Pategonian Picnic' and ' A Coon Song' are worthwhile solos, as are 'On the Ganges' 'Jumbo Rag' and 'Lazy Rhythm'. He must have played with one of the dance bands such as Jack Hilton's as he was a noted plectrum player and made arrangements of popular songs for B.M.G. I have a feeling that he also played in Essex' Balalaika orchestra c 1914. He made quite a few records for the 'Jumbo' label including a version of Eno's 'Plantation Symphony' and he was a very good banjo player indeed.

I will keep an eye open for any mention of him, as I wade through the  dust and mouldering paper, when I have to refer to the old B.M.G. stack.

[Jody Stecher]

According to The Banjo On Record (Heir and Lotz) Bert Bassett also played plectrum banjo. Judging by the repertoire he recorded it seems his recordings are of finger style five string banjo though. I have a cassette copy of one disc: Halimar and Dream Dance. The former is a Frank Banta composition that is supposed to be an "Oriental Rondo" (could he have meant *Shalimar* and the typesetter left out the S?") but whose chord structure resembles the framework for We Wish You A Merry Christmas. It's a rather breathless performance where the piano and banjo are vying to see who can finish first but very enjoyable all the same. Bill Ball does a great job on his recording of Bassetts' Jumbo Rag.

[Steve Harrison]

I had a look at the Jack Hilton Website and listed amongst the musical personnel under banjo/guitar are Bert Bassett and Emile Grimshaw. 
Richard William Ineson said:

Bert Bassett (1894 - 1937) became the editor of B.M.G. in March 1933, taking over from Emile Grimshaw, I can't really remember much more about him apart from this and the fact that he also played the cello. His compositions are quite good but never seemed to take off in a big way, 'Pategonian Picnic' and ' A Coon Song' are worthwhile solos, as are 'On the Ganges' 'Jumbo Rag' and 'Lazy Rhythm'. He must have played with one of the dance bands such as Jack Hilton's as he was a noted plectrum player and made arrangements of popular songs for B.M.G. I have a feeling that he also played in Essex' Balalaika orchestra c 1914. He made quite a few records for the 'Jumbo' label including a version of Eno's 'Plantation Symphony' and he was a very good banjo player indeed.

I will keep an eye open for any mention of him, as I wade through the  dust and mouldering paper, when I have to refer to the old B.M.G. stack.

[Richard William Ineson]

Thanks for reminding me about 'Halimar' Jody. This is a really good solo but the sheet music seems to be quite rare; when Alan Middleton left the Clifford Essex Co. in the early 1950s A.P.Sharpe gave him a copy of every piece of banjo music which they had in stock at the time. I wanted a copy of 'Halimar' some years ago and even Alan could only produce a plectrum banjo arrangement from his collection.

It's a great tune, has anybody got the finger style arrangement?

Jody Stecher said:

According to The Banjo On Record (Heir and Lotz) Bert Bassett also played plectrum banjo. Judging by the repertoire he recorded it seems his recordings are of finger style five string banjo though. I have a cassette copy of one disc: Halimar and Dream Dance. The former is a Frank Banta composition that is supposed to be an "Oriental Rondo" (could he have meant *Shalimar* and the typesetter left out the S?") but whose chord structure resembles the framework for We Wish You A Merry Christmas. It's a rather breathless performance where the piano and banjo are vying to see who can finish first but very enjoyable all the same. Bill Ball does a great job on his recording of Bassetts' Jumbo Rag.

[Jody Stecher]

Yes, I have finger style dots for Halimar  arranged by Charlie Rogers. It appears to be from a 1908 BMG. I got it from the ABF library. I'll post it on this site about 5 minutes from now.

Richard William Ineson said:

.....'Halimar' ....It's a great tune, has anybody got the finger style arrangement?

[Richard William Ineson]

Thanks Jody, my life is nearly complete now, just got to get that legendary Morley piece 'Electra' and then I can die happy.

Jody Stecher said:

Yes, I have finger style dots for Halimar  arranged by Charlie Rogers. It appears to be from a 1908 BMG. I got it from the ABF library. I'll post it on this site about 5 minutes from now.

Richard William Ineson said:

.....'Halimar' ....It's a great tune, has anybody got the finger style arrangement?

[Jody Stecher]

Be happy but don't die, Richard; I may have good news. If "Electra" and "The Electra Polka" are one and the same then search no more. The Electra Polka by Joe Morley is in the American Banjo Fraternity Library. It is in manuscript form (though I don't know by whose hand) and is available as a photocopy for pennies to members. (Membership is  also available for  pennies, several hundred of them, but I do mean pennies, not dollars or pounds).  The ABF librarian Bill Morris is a member of this Ning classic banjo group.