I started collecting jazz records in childhood and can still recall the thrill of the pile of 78s at the antique store, the Salvation Army, and from the Seventies on, visits to jazz collectors’ meetings. Before there was YouTube or eBay, if you wanted to expand your collection, you went where the collectors assembled — perhaps monthly — and you went home with treasures. I can point to records that are dear to me: an autographed Eddie Condon Decca, a Teddy Wilson V-Disc with Joe Thomas, Ed Hall, and Sidney Catlett — that came from the once-yearly Record Collectors’ Bash. And it’s back!
Recollections by my friend Dave Weiner . . . .
GETTING BASHED FOR (ALMOST) A HALF-CENTURY
I first attended the NJ Jazz Record Bash in 1975 at a hotel on Route 1. I think that was the second year it ran. Jazz film expert Ken Crawford had started it as a way for vintage record collectors to buy, sell, trade and schmooze over a weekend in June. The highlight of each event would be an evening of jazz movies, chosen by Ken from his massive collection. To me, it was an amazing experience, the first time I saw vintage 78s and LPs for sale in quantity. Previously I had found such discs occasionally in thrift shops and flea markets. My first purchase there was a Bunny Berigan 78, which still looks better today than I do.
I made many friends of long standing as the years passed. Numerous celebrities, musical and otherwise, visited over time – actor Matt Dillon (a formidable Latin jazz collector), Michael Feinstein, bandleader Vince Giordano, writers Charles Delaunay, Stanley Dance, Frank Driggs, Dan Morgenstern and Russ Connor. As the decades passed, other collectors stepped up to run the yearly event – Russ Shor, Joe Lauro, Howard Berg and Art Zimmerman. The Bash continued regularly until Covid hit in 2020.
Three years passed with no Bash – until now. My partner Barry Miller and I have picked up the threads and have scheduled the latest Bash for June 22-24. Maintaining the tradition, schmoozing and film showings are still in the mix. Many older collectors will attend along with a happily growing contingent of younger folk, who dig the vintage jazz and pop music we all love.
For full information, check our website, jazzbash.net.
And here are the details . . .
Dear Friends,
Hey! Hey! Hey! Only FIVE WEEKS to go before the sensational NJ JAZZ RECORD COLLECTORS BASH returns for its 47th year!
The Bash runs from Thursday evening, June 22nd through Saturday evening, June 24th, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Edison, NJ.
If you’re a vendor, let us know soon if you’d like to reserve 1, 2 or more tables, because space is limited. Below you’ll find complete details.
If you’re a collector, you’ll find thousands of vintage 78s, LPs, 45s, cylinders, CDs, DVDs, books, sheet music, catalogs and more.
Three exciting two-hour vintage film and TV programs have been scheduled for Friday evening and Saturday afternoon & evening.
Check the jazzbash.net website for details and don’t hesitate to contact David Weiner at njjazzbash@gmail.com if you have any questions. You can also visit the “NJ Jazz Record Bash” Facebook page for regular updates.
Best regards, David Weiner – (see details below)
47th NJ JAZZ RECORD COLLECTOR’S BASH DETAILS
HOURS
· Thursday, June 22nd – 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. (Early Buyers Only)
· Friday & Saturday, June 23rd & 24th – 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. (General Public)
GENERAL ADMISSION
· $42 for Thursday Evening Early Buyers — 8:00-11:00 p.m., plus
Friday & Saturday all day/evening
· $22 — all day & evening Friday & Saturday
· $12 — Friday evening after 5 p.m. + Saturday all day & evening
VENDOR DETAILS
Vendors can reserve tables*, which are available on a first-come basis, and cost:
· For Thursday evening, Friday & Saturday all day/evening — $110 per table
· For Friday all day & evening only — $74 per table
· For Saturday all day & evening only — $46 per table.
*Tables range from 6 feet by 3 feet to 8 feet by 3 feet depending on hotel availability.
A 50% deposit is required to reserve your table(s).
PAYMENT METHODS
Advance payments can be made via check, money order or PayPal.
Please make checks or money orders out to “Fun Trends USA, LLC” and mail to:
David Weiner
Fun Trends USA, LLC
7004 Boulevard East, Suite 25E
Guttenberg, NJ 07093
Or pay via PayPal:
Please email your PayPal payment to the following account — barry@miller-weiner.com — “as a friend,” so no commission is deducted.
For final payment, cash and checks will be accepted at the Bash.
HILTON GARDEN INN RESERVATIONS
The Hilton Garden Inn offers Bash attendees the special reduced room price of $139 per night. Make your reservations here.
Postscript from Michael: if you see this at the Bash, at a reasonable price, please pick one up. I can always use an extra copy.
May your happiness increase!
JAZZ LIVES 