The club's powers-that-be decided to celebrate Mardi Gras a bit early (or late), so they brought over two New Orleans bands, plus Washboard Chaz and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux to provide the entertainment. They also hired a team of theater designers to transform their posh Mayfair club into a New Orleans environment complete with second line umbrellas, Mardi Gras beads, feathers, and costumed revelers. My band, featured at left, included myself on clarinet, Wendell Brunious on trumpet., Thaddeus Richard on piano, Don Vappie on bass and banjo, Maynard Chatters on trombone, and Gerald French on drums. We had a ball, even if we ate too much of the club's gourmet cuisine and pastries.
