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2006 Mail

Charles "Bub" Vennie

From James C. Hoffman, March 1, 2006

In response to "WPA Orchestra," February 15, 2006

If I am in the same family Jean Vennie had a brother or some relative by the name of Charles (Bub) Vennie who was a great jazz trumpet player and was my trumpet teacher when I started playing trumpet.

James C. Hoffman
IMO-Directorate of Logistics

Editor's notes: I found a 1964 reference to Charles Vennie in a New Jersey newspaper of 1964. At a charity concert event in Middletown, New Jersey in 1964, Charles Vennie is listed as an orchestra member. The news article reads in part:

We are very fortunate to have the orchestra for the show. . . The leader of the orchestra, Nate Jones is an alto saxophonist who does most of its wriring and arranging. He has written for such jazz notables as Maynard Ferguson, Chico Hamilton and Art Blakey, and has recorded for Columbia Pacific Jazz, New Jazz, Prestige and Cameo labels.
Other members of the orchestra include Earl Grubbs, tenor sax; Leonard Bailey, baritone sax; Al Pearson, trumpet; Charles Vennie, trumpet; Al Thomas, piano; Joe Kearny, bass and Bubbles Ross, drums.
Source: Asbury Park Evening Press, 15 September 1964, p. 20.

In addition the following advertisement appears in Lancaster newspapers for a venue in York. It advertises the "Charlie Vennie Morgan Trio." The same ad from a York newspaper advertises the "Charlie Vennie Organ Trio." Not sure which is correct, but the name Charlie Vennie is consistent. Note also the Jim Crow era notation that the Rainbow Room is a "colored" venue. That note is absent from the York newspaper ad and I have been unable to find other ads or information to verify that. More information is welcome.

Advertisement for a jazz concert at the Rainbow Room in York, Pennsylvania.

Source: Lancaster New Era, 17 September 1959.

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