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The Heliotrope Ragtime Orchestra
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San Diego’s Heliotrope Ragtime Orchestra was founded in early 2005 by cornetist and author Bruce Vermazen and pianist Bob Pinsker, originally to provide accompaniment for ragtime-era events by the San Diego Vintage Dancers. The ensemble, co-led by Pinsker and Vermazen, first played for the Vintage Dancers in April 2005 and has been a success from the start. Many of the members of the eleven-piece ensemble were drawn from the Hillcrest Wind Ensemble, a well-regarded concert band. The Heliotrope’s tuba player, John Winkelman, is the director of the Hillcrest group, and Jason Ford (trumpet), Eddie Blough (clarinet), and Fernando Herrera (flute and piccolo), have actively directed the Wind Ensemble’s fortunes. Vermazen and budding writer Patrick McMahon (tenor sax) are also Hillcrest colleagues. Rounding out the roster are drummer-veterinarian Robert Wishner, professional violinists Cheryl and Daniel Swem, and the celebrated Dixieland trombonist Alan Adams.
The orchestra takes its name from the wonderful 1907 Louis Chauvin-Scott Joplin rag "Heliotrope Bouquet." The delicate and fragrant heliotrope's behavior, a constant turning toward the sun as the day passes, makes a good metaphor for San Diego's affinity for sunshine.
Sunday, September 2 - Queen Mary Art Deco Festival - Long Beach, CA - Tea Dance: 3pm - 6pm
Newsflash! The Heliotrope Ragtime Orchestra is pleased to announce the release of its first CD - IT'S A BEAR! on Stomp Off Records (StompOff CD1411). It is available for purchase from Stomp Off Records and at selected music stores. Here's the cover:
The reviews (at least one) are in! Jack Rummel has reviewed "It's A Bear!" on the Ragtimers.org website. For a copy of Rummel's positive review, click here!