In Tribute and Memory of the co-founder of the
Sentimental Journey Orchestra
The Rearden Tribute to A True Showman!!
One of the last performances that Butch contracted dealt with the Rearden Theatre show as sponsored by the Rabun Arts Festival. Butch agreed to moving our performance to Flag Day with that "showman" sparkle in his eye as he decided on a theme the very moment the opportunity came available. "We're breaking out the white coats" he said "with the red carnations and blue pocket kerchiefs; and I'll get the SJO flag for them to attach to a fly to lower down for the second half of the show!"
It wasn't much longer after this agreement was struck that Butch passed away. However, following through on his directive was an undertaking that the SJO Board chose to follow through to completion. Along with the very kind and gracious comments by our host and emcee prior to the curtains opening, the resulting ovation was the response to this last detail by a guy with that showman's sparkle in his eye....six months in advance.
To friends of Butch.
I first met Butch on the trombone-L, a discussion group that talked about
all sorts of things, but most notably the trombone, as one might expect. It
didn't take very long for us to take our big band discussions off that list,
and a pen-pal relationship began that ran for well over 6 or 8 years. I
can't put an exact date on when our friendship started. But I am thankful
that it did.
Butch saw in me something of himself, I would like to think. We had similar
tastes in music, it was clear. I am director of a college jazz program in
southeast Texas, so we both have those southern roots, too. As our
friendship grew, so did my admiration for Butch grow. I was envious of his
stories about the Sentimental Journey Orchestra. I was also interested in
graphic arts, and might have chosen that as a
career had the call into music not been so strong. I could
appreciate very much his craft and his passion for all those wonderful
things we shared back and forth via e-mail. I got first hand accounts of his
trip to sing for the Pope, and how much he loved singing those lowest of low
notes in his church choir. He led me to another friend, Henry Mason, after a
few years... and I'm pleased to say that friendship has grown over the
years, as well.
It was at the encouragement of Butch and Henry that a new big band was born
in southeast Texas. The model for our band was the SJO, just as closely as
we could make it fit that mold. We don't have the talent Atlanta and the SJO
have, but Butch and Henry would always offer
encouragement and help us to avoid the pitfalls they had experiences.
Whenever there was a question about how to handle a new problem, they were
always right there with the answer -- and it was always the right one. Butch
even had a hand in the naming of our band, and of course ultimately make up
our band's logo and website. He was extremely giving with his talents.
I can easily see how the SJO managed to enjoy the successes it did over the
years with Butch and Henry leading the way. I wish I didn't live so far from
Atlanta, that the funeral weren't so close to Christmas and New Year's eve.
I would come to the services if I could.
Butch was loved by many, and will be missed by all who knew him.
There really are no words that can express our sorrow. Like so many others,
I just feel blessed to have known this fine man.
He will be missed!
Dr. Wayne Dyess
Director of Jazz Studies
Lamar University
Beaumont, Texas
Leader, The Night & Day Orchestra
http://www.ndotex.com
T.
D. and Me
by Hector Bourg Jr.
In the summer of 1956 I was newly graduated from high school and
nervously awaiting my freshman year at the University of Southern
Mississippi. During that time my uncle, Russ Dailey, was a major in the
US Air Force, and manager of the Officer's Club at Keesler AFB in
Biloxi, Mississippi. Uncle Russ was a huge fan of big bands and booked
them into the club as often as he could... a task which was approaching
impossible. Most of the big bands were already history by then, but
uncle Russ found a few that summer, including that of Tommy Dorsey!
Knowing of my awe and reverence for the great TD, my uncle invited me to
the club to witness the performance. Once there, he sheparded me down a
long back hallway to a small door, knocked and went in. Sitting there in
a spotless white tux, drinking a chocolate milkshake, was T. D. himself!
My uncle then excused himself and left me alone in the dressing room
with my trombone idol! I was, needless to say, in total awe... and
filled with apprehension. I had read all those reports about what a
"martinet" T. D. could be (and his legendary temper) and just his
celebrity status was a bit overwhelming to this pimply-faced, still
gawky teen-ager. What followed could not have been more wonderful!
We talked about big bands, trombone playing, his music, my high school
big band and more. I confess that my awe erased most of the specific
words of our converstaion from my memory... but he could not have been
nicer to me! Thirty minutes later a knock on the door announced, "5
minutes, Mr. Dorsey!" I began stammering my gratitude for his spending
so much time with me and told him that I was going to run on around to
the ballroom so I could find a good seat for the performance.
Tommy stood up and saying, "Nah...don't do that." He grabbed the little
chrome and plastic dressing room chair in one hand, turned to the the
door behind him which opened directly on to the bandstand, pulled it
open...and there sat the Dorsey trumpet section! Tommy then placed the
chair next to the nearest trumpet player (whom I now believe was
probably Doc Severinsen), turned to me and said, "Sit here, I think
you'll enjoy this a lot more!"
Within a few minutes the opening notes of "Sentimental Over You" ushered
me into the happiest time I've ever spent on a bandstand!
Rick Bell
SJO Music Director &
Long Time Friend of Butch
Hector "Butch" Bourg was born September 9, 1938 in Gulfport, Mississippi and died on December 23, 2008 in his home with his family. Butch was a Graphic Designer who proudly graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi and was an even prouder member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity.
He came to the Atlanta area initially working for an advertising agency and began employment for the government as a graphic artist for the Center for Disease Control. NMAC(National Medical Audio Visual Center) was the media section for CDC for many years and in this association Butch made many friends who remained a part of his life. He began freelance graphic design in the early 70's and was the designer/advertiser for the well known Abbey Restaurant for many years. In his early freelance career he had more advertising in the Atlanta Magazine than any other individual.
He was the "creative" force behind the beginning of Road Atlanta with logo design and continued advertising. One of his design accomplishments is in the form of a poster that hangs in the National Museum of Modern Art in New York. As a lover of good wine, he combined his artistic talent with his good taste by becoming the scribe for the Atlanta Chapter of the Knights of the Vine. Butch was very proud of his creative side and passionate about everything he enjoyed.
He was a lover of the swing era and as trombone player in his youth was drawn back into using his horn by a friend and the Sentimental Journey Orchestra began in Atlanta. This well known swing group in Atlanta has played for notables Jimmy Carter and Ted Turner. In his love of music he had the privilege of singing with a choir that sang for Pope John Paul II. Please Read the Eulogy by SJO Co-Founder & Friend, Henry Mason.
Hector Lemuel Bourg is survived by his wife, Denise O'Brien; children, Erin and Tad Bourg; and one grandchild, Christopher.