Dan Gregory Orchestra

The Dan Gregory Orchestra was based out of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Dan Gregory worked the Crystal Palace at 66th and Broadway in New York City and recorded under several pseudonyms such as Johnson’s Dance Orchestra and Dale’s Dance Orchestra for Cameo Records in 1923. 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. Gregory by the way, went on to manage Tony Pastor’s Orchestra and helped discover Rosemary Clooney.
The Dan Gregory Orchestra toured extensively with different members through out the years including Herb Taylor (who did work with Benny Goodman and later Elvis Presley), Andy Sannella ,Billy(Skinny) Ennis (a well known drummer) Prowell Seitzinger (who became Dauphin County High School's Band Director), Ray Ripani (who became a well known big band arranger in St Louis) and many other local, regional and nationally known musicians.

My father, Kenneth Claude Frew (1902-1986), was first trumpet with Dan Gregory from 1927 through the (late) 1930s. My father joined him while he was playing in Leechburg, Pa. one year. 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. 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.
Band Members included:
Billy (Skinny) Ennis,
Buddy Watterson,
Prowell Seitzinger,
Herb Taylor,
Dorothy Virginia Dare,
Ray Ripani,
Bob Schaffner,
Henry John Corti,
J. Herbert Button,
Dick Smith-Piano,
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 Tenbaugh-Bass,
Fats Gority-Vocalist,

-Ken Frew (Kenny Frew's Son)Research Librarian HSDC-Dauphin County Historical Society, Harrisburg Pennsylvania

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