dangregory.com Blog

My father, Kenneth Claude Frew (1902-1986), was first trumpet with Dan Gregory from 1927 through the 1930s. The orchestra was based out of Harrisburg, but my father joined him while he was playing in Leechburg, Pa. one year. Dan is deceased.

(Dan) Gregory worked the Crystal Palace at 66th and Broadway and recorded under several pseudonyms such as Johnson’s Dance Orchestra and Dale’s Dance Orchestra for Cameo Records in 1923. In 1923 my Dad (Kenny Frew)was still back in Leechburg/Vandergrift alternately working at the steel mill or small bands such as Ivan Fiscus. Gregory released two 78s for Victor in 1924 and then “got rid of his high-priced men” as he called them, and went back to Harrisburg to reorganize the band my Dad joined. Gregory by the way, went on to manage Tony Pastor’s Orchestra and helped discover Rosemary Clooney. My Dad died in 1986. I wrote up his story in To A Harmony With Our Souls: a History of Jazz in Central Pennsylvania a few years ago.
Unfortunately my Dad’s not on any of Gregory’s recordings.
-Ken Frew
Research Librarian HSDC

My father, Kenneth Claude Frew (1902-1986), was first trumpet with Dan Gregory from 1927 through the 1930s. The orchestra was based out of Harrisburg, but my father joined him while he was playing in Leechburg, Pa. one year. Dan is deceased.

(Dan) Gregory worked the Crystal Palace at 66th and Broadway and recorded under several pseudonyms such as Johnson’s Dance Orchestra and Dale’s Dance Orchestra for Cameo Records in 1923. In 1923 my Dad (Kenny Frew)was still back in Leechburg/Vandergrift alternately working at the steel mill or small bands such as Ivan Fiscus. Gregory released two 78s for Victor in 1924 and then “got rid of his high-priced men” as he called them, and went back to Harrisburg to reorganize the band my Dad joined. Gregory by the way, went on to manage Tony Pastor’s Orchestra and helped discover Rosemary Clooney.My Dad died in 1986. I wrote up his story in To A Harmony With Our Souls: a History of Jazz in Central Pennsylvania a few years ago.
Unfortunately my Dad’s not on any of Gregory’s recordings.
-Ken Frew
Research Librarian HSDC

This is really super what you are doing! Much as I love rock and roll (grew up in the 50s), nothing beats the Big Bands and the music of the 1930s and 40s. I saw Elvis perform in concert and have autographs of Buddy Morrow, Ray Anthony and another whose name escapes me from the days when the Big Bands traveled to smaller ballrooms throughout the country. This occurred after the popularity of radio and people felt they could listen to the music of the big bands for free and would no longer pay the price of admission to larger venues. The bands, sometimes reduced in size, cut their fees and traveled to many “podunk” places in the later 1940s and the 1950s. I guess this is why the Junior Prom at Penn State University was able to afford the Glenn Miller Band. Prowell (Seitzinger) would love this. He was a character!
-Judith Witmer

Note-Prowell Seitzinger became the band director for Lower Dauphin County High School in Pennsylvania. -Larry

“My first job on the road in 1938 was with a band out of Harrisburg, The Dan Gregory Band. In order to keep the musicians together and arrive on time to our gigs, Dan bought an old dilapiadated hearse. While on our way to a gig, we went through this town and had to pull up along side a bus at a red light. The people on the bus were laughing and pointing their fingers and obviuosly having a hilarious time. I rolled down my window and shouted at one of the passengers, ‘Don’t laugh lady, someday YOU are going to be this old’. Then they actually applauded us.”
-Ray Ripani, Tenor Sax

Dan Gregory Orchestra around 1940
Billy (Skinny) Ennis
Buddy Watterson
Prowell Seitzinger
Herb Taylor
Dorothy Virginia Dare
Ray Ripani
Bob Schaffner
Henry John Corti
J. Herbert Button? (Burton or Bolton)

Dan Gregory and his Orchestra- around 1938
Dick Smith-Piano
John Maccioli-Trombone
Ray Rossi-Tenor
John Price-Alto
Mickey Melman-Alto
Ray Ripani-Tenor
Speedy Menge-Trumpet
Kenny Frew-1st Trumpet
Brute (?)- Trumpet
Bill Wheeler-Trombone
Red For Tenbaugh-Bass
?-Drums
Fats Gority-Vocalist

I’m trying to have a resource for the Dan Gregory Orchestra and any and all his bandmates. A very cool big band/dance orchestra around in the 1920’s 1930’s and early 40’s. My Uncle Ray Ripani played sax in that band. Anyone familiar with this group please post comments, links or anything related. There is very little info on this group.
I would especially like group members and/or their family members to contact me a elrip1@yahoo.com
I will post more info and pictures soon. Thanks for posting.
Larry