ARNIE AND HIS RHYTHM
ARNIE AND HIS RHYTHM
“Arnt’s repertoire is optimistic and romantic but there’s also melancholy: Hear his moving, even fierce “Brother Can You Spare a Dime?” in honor of Bing Crosby and economic miseries, and his earnestly wounded “Careless Love.” I love his singing, so easy and sincere, and when I once told him how much I admired his honest approach, he grinned and said, ‘That’s great because it’s the only approach I have!’”
—Michael Steinman, Jazz Lives; notes from the album Keep Your Sunny Side Up
Our February bandleader, Arnt Arntzen, has been involved with music from a young age, mostly learning from his immediate and extended family, which includes three generations of Arntzens: his grandfather, Lloyd; his parents, Tom and Georgina; and his brother, Evan. Remarkably, Lloyd, at 98 years of age, is still an active musician in the Vancouver, B. C., area. “Family members joke,” Arnt says, “that the surest way to find him is at a gig. The thing is, there’s a lot of truth to that statement.”
Arnt’s first instrument was guitar, but now he is also known as a banjoist and singer, specializing in traditional jazz. Beginning his professional career in Vancouver in 2012, he moved in 2017 to New York City, where brother Evan was already playing clarinet with Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, the legendary 11-piece band that features some of the heaviest hitters in the city’s traditional-jazz scene. When the guitar/banjo chair opened in 2018, Vince offered the job to Arnt. “I was flabbergasted,” he recalls, “I hadn’t expected to get my dream of playing in a big band every week realized so quickly. I had only lived in New York for about a year and a half!”
As word got around that Evan Arntzen’s little brother could really play the plectrum instruments and sing as well, he became first call as guitarist or banjo for a lot of gigs, and was eventually invited by bandleader David Ostwald to become a regular member of the Louis Armstrong Eternity Band, which is generally understood to be on a par with the Nighthawks as a top-tier trad band in the city.
Three generations of Arntzens.
Except for an extended break during the pandemic, Arnt continued to make New York City his home until the latter part of 2025. By then he had married, and he and his wife decided to move back to the Pacific Northwest to be close to his family in British Columbia and her family in Tacoma, WA. Although he has only been back in the region a short time, we’ve already had a taste of his artistry twice this season as sideman and guest vocalist with the Ballard Clam Diggers and Ray Skjelbred’s Yeti Chasers.
As for this month’s music, Arnt says, “I’ve named the band ‘Arnie and His Rhythm’ in tribute to the ‘Fats Waller and His Rhythm’ band of the early 1930s. Waller’s recordings are a prime example of the freewheeling small combo styles which existed between the end of the 1920s and the start of the swing era. It was before big bands took over, and there was still a lot of experimentation going on with chords, instruments, and rhythm. I’m especially drawn to the amazing connection that existed between Waller and his rhythm guitarist, Al Casey. The overall spirit of joy and happiness just shines through.
“There was only one Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller. We won’t pretend to play exactly like his band, but we’ll look to his music for inspiration. Some of the tunes will have been either written or performed by him. Others have been introduced to me by my brother or Vince Giordano, or by my grandfather. Some will be off the beaten track. Be assured that we will put our own spin on whatever we play.”
In addition to himself on guitar, banjo, and vocals, Arnt has assembled a band comprised mostly of musicians with whom we are well acquainted: Jacob Zimmerman, alto sax and clarinet; Christian Pincock, trombone; Eric Eagle, drums; and Matt Weiner, string bass. Rounding out the combo is pianist/vocalist Casey MacGill, who also specializes in Waller’s music. It’s been a few years since Casey has performed for us, and we are delighted to welcome him back. Learn about his abundant life in music online at caseymacgill.com and by watching a few of the many remarkable video and audio productions accessible under his name on YouTube.
Join us at the Ballard Elks, 1 to 4 p.m., February 15. And please invite a friend or two (or three!). Remember, youngsters under 21 are admitted free if accompanied by an adult who pays admission. Everyone is welcome!
A NOTE ABOUT THOMAS “FATS” WALLER’S MUSIC
If Arnt selects only a tiny fraction of Waller’s compositions, he still has his work cut out for him. In his 39-year lifespan, Waller wrote over 400 tunes for publication. To give an idea of his lasting influence, the following is a short list of some of his most recognizable pop tunes, all of which remain jazz standards today
Squeeze Me (1925)
Willow Tree (1928)
Ain't Misbehavin' (1929)
(What Did I Do to Be So) Black and Blue (1929)
Blue Turning Grey Over You (1929)
Honeysuckle Rose (1929)
I've Got a Feeling I'm Falling (1929)
My Fate Is In Your Hands (1929)
I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby (1931)
Keepin' Out of Mischief Now (1932)
Viper's Drag (1934)
I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter (1935)
Stealin’ Apples (1936)
The Joint Is Jumpin' (1937)
Your Feets Too Big (1939)
All That Meat And No Potatoes (1941)
Jitterbug Waltz (1942)
In itself, this abbreviated list represents a sizable chunk of the era’s popular jazz lexicon. In addition, Waller’s recorded output totaled more than 750 sides, of which nearly 500 were for RCA Victor
