Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Carl Frederick Tandberg (1910-1988) on April 25, 1969



Bass Player Marking 11th Year at Rickey's

Bass player Carl F. Tandberg is an 11-year man at Dick White's Rickey's Restaurant in Alhambra and a 42-year man in the music business. Carl began his career in 1926 in Boston, Massachusetts. He played in many local ballrooms, restaurants and in radio stations WNAC and WEEI. In 1929, he moved to New York City. During a 16-year stay in the large metropolis, Tandberg played with the Jimmy Durante band, played vaudeville and toured the southern circuit with Al Wohlman & Company. He then played most of the 52nd street "jazz joints" including a run at the "Hickory House" with Riley and Farley the writers of "The Music Goes Round And Round". Next came a series of college dates with Bunny Berigan. In 1939 he did a vaudeville tour and cut a few records with the Andrew Sisters before recording "Miserlou" with Jan August in 1945 [sic]. In 1947 he met Frankie Ortega and aided in forming the famous "Frankie Ortega Trio." He stayed with the trio for 11 years playing at the Balboa Club in Palm Springs and Las Vegas, Reno and Lake Tahoe. Carl was thinking about retiring when he met Dick White, owner of Rickey's in Alhambra and decided to accept his offer of playing on weekends. Meanwhile Carl also joined the staff of the American Music Publishers. During this time he again became active in the recording business working with such starts as Lou Rawls, Frank Gorshin, and television's newest star, Glen Campbell. Carl is presently playing in Rickey's Sky Room with Noel Hylton and Sue Stevens. The restaurant is located at 323 West Valley Boulevard in Alhambra.

Note: Miserlou with Jan August in 1947, not in 1945

Source: Pasadena Star-News; April 25, 1969