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"A Class Reunion" started out as a musical get-together between two old friends, Al Zion and Dick Burns to kind of reminisce and talk about the old times when they worked together in The Thunderbirds, a rock and swing stage band from the northwest in the early sixties. Dick was the drummer with the band and Al joined them as the sax player. Dick doubled on bari sax so they got along great! They toured all over Oregon, Washington, California and Nevada over the next few years, but as these things usually turn out they both left the band separately and went opposite directions. They worked together in casual bands on occasion over the next 30 years. They both did a stint together with the great "Jim Mesi Band" in the Nineties and found that it was still a "gas" to work together. (Jim Mesi is featured on 4 tracks in this CD) Al Zion (known as "Gator" in the local rock and roll scene) has been around northwest music since the fifties starting his professional career at the tender age of 13 in 1952 with the "Commanders", a Portland, Oregon band made up of high school age players and working the hotel circuit of Portland. He toured with various rock and roll recording artists of the fifties such as Buddy Knox and Gene Vincent, playing with the "Rythmnairs" backup band. To make a long story short, he played the next several years with bands in the blues, be-bop, swing, jazz and rock venues. He fronted his own groups for years under the names of "Gator and the Crocodiles", the "Candidos" and the "Signatures". He is currently playing sax with the 22 year old northwest band, "Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts" and is featured on their last four CD releases. Al and his wife Patti have been married for over 30 years and have 2 grown children, Chris and Meredith. In the "normal" world Al is an engineer in the steel industry, and also involved in various music related fields and businesses. The Players: Al Zion: Tenor Sax, Alto Sax, Flute, Electric Bass, all songs Dick Burns: Drums and Vocals, all songs Jim Mesi: Electric Guitar, Peacock Alley, Honky Tonk, Slow Walk, Jumpin at the Lodge Hall Jon Lemon: Piano, Hammond B3 Organ, all songs Matt Kenney: Electric Bass, Peacock Alley, Honky Tonk,Slow Walk, Jumpin at the Lodge Hall, Only You. Dave Hickman: Percussion and vocal background. Honky Tonk, Slow Walk Personal note from Al and Dick We want to thank Jon Lemon, Jim Mesi and Matt Kenney to all their help in putting together this CD. It has been our dream to do something that would really typify the stuff that we enjoyed doing for so many years together. Without Jon, Jim and Matt we couldn't have done it. Thanks, guys! From Al Zion, a personal thanks to Dave Hickman who took time off on a Saturday to add the hand clapping background and voice. The Songs: Peacock Alley, (Sil Austin), Hello Josephine (Fats Domino),Honky Tonk (Bill Doggett), Only You(Buck Ram and Andy Rand), Jumpin at the Lodge Hall (Al Zion), Slow Walk (Bill Doggett), Green Onions ( Booker T) American Bandstand (Paul Anka) Suicide is Painless (Johnny Mandel and Mike Altman) Produced by: Pazazz Entertainment at the Walter Midi Studios, Portland, Oregon May 2002 Track List: 1. Peacock Alley 2. Hello Josephine 3. Honky Tonk 4. Only You 5. Jumpin at the Lodge Hall 6. Slow Walk 7. Green Onions 8. American Bandstand Theme 9. Jump Jive and Wail 10. Suicide is Painless Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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