View Full Version : Dodgers' SYM-PHONY
BayRidgeBrooklyn
11-19-2006, 08:48 AM
I'd like to know more about the Brooklyn Dodgers' "Sym-phony," that fun-loving band of "musicians" who entertained throughout the games at Ebbets.
What's their story? When and how did they get started? How many members were there and what were their names? Did they have any real musical talent? Where did they usually sit? What were their routines? Are there any surviving members? Thanks.
musial6
11-20-2006, 01:38 PM
http://www.streetplay.com/back2bk/dodgersymph.htm
musial6
11-20-2006, 01:44 PM
http://truthcharms.blogspot.com/2005/11/brooklyn-dodgers-sym-phony-band_13.html
musial6
11-20-2006, 01:47 PM
http://baseballguru.com/omi/bums.htm
musial6
11-20-2006, 01:56 PM
http://www.nytimes.com/specials/baseball/robinson-0416-firstday.html
musial6
11-21-2006, 07:26 AM
Walter O'Malley added Shorty Laurice, he of the stovepipe hat, to the original group, all of whom were from Williamsburg. "That Laurice," Jerry Martin said, "wasn't even from our neighborhood. He just sucked his way in." The Sym-phoney played only at night games and on weekends since they all had full-time jobs. They did not get paid by the Dodgers but were given seats 1-8, row 1, section 8, behind the Dodger dugout.
tonypug
11-21-2006, 11:03 AM
Very informative Musial6, I learned a few things following your links. I never knew that O'Malley was responsible for adding Shorty Laurice to the group.
brooklyn11211
11-23-2006, 07:56 AM
http://www.thedodgerssymphony.com/
BayRidgeBrooklyn
11-27-2006, 08:14 AM
Thanks for the information and links. After half a century, does anyone know if any Sym-phony members are still alive?
BayRidgeBrooklyn
12-31-2006, 09:03 AM
Through the link above, www.thedodgerssymphony.com, I was able to contact Peggy Vail, a Brooklynite who produced a half-hour PBS documentary (around 1998) on the Sym-phony. I purchased the film (VHS and DVD available).
Very insightful and nostalgic. Contains Ebbets Field scenes, interviews with Dodger players and fans, rare Red Barber footage, and anecdotes from the surviving Sym-phony musicians. Highly recommended.
Walter O'Malley added Shorty Laurice, he of the stovepipe hat, to the original group, all of whom were from Williamsburg. "That Laurice," Jerry Martin said, "wasn't even from our neighborhood. He just sucked his way in." The Sym-phoney played only at night games and on weekends since they all had full-time jobs. They did not get paid by the Dodgers but were given seats 1-8, row 1, section 8, behind the Dodger dugout.
Shorty was an original member starting in 1939, the O'M didn't joined the Brooklyn organization until 1943.
Stonewalls Granddaughter
05-30-2008, 06:36 PM
I can't tell you how happy I am to found this website. I have been searching for information about the Brooklyn Dodgers Sym-Phony Band on and off for years.
My grandfather was Frank "Stonewall" Sorrentino and I know at one time he was a member of the band. I have seen him quickly on televised documentaries about the Dodgers or Jackie Robinson.
I am desparately seeking pictures of the band from the late 40's when I believe he was an active member.
Thanks to your threads and postings I have emailed info@thedogerssymphony.com for information on purchasing their documentary.
I would greatly appreciate any pictures that you could direct me to or post. Many thanks again for being here
mandrake
06-01-2008, 05:48 AM
I was able to meet the members outside the World trade Center one afternoon. I think it was around 1999 or 2000. There were 5 or 6 of them. I mentioned to them that their pictures were hanging up in a restaurant in my old neighborhood called Bamonti's . The restaurant even has great pictures of the Bums in the mens room. (I do not know about the ladies room !).
DODGER DEB
06-01-2008, 09:28 AM
I was able to meet the members outside the World trade Center one afternoon. I think it was around 1999 or 2000. There were 5 or 6 of them. I mentioned to them that their pictures were hanging up in a restaurant in my old neighborhood called Bamonti's . The restaurant even has great pictures of the Bums in the mens room. (I do not know about the ladies room !).
Nice to hear that you come from that area, too, mandrake.
BAMONTE'S is an absolutely great restaurant and has been for many, many years. I was born and raised not too far from that area, and we had many family celebrations there. They have always had many photos of OUR DODGERS, and those connected with them, hanging all over their restaurant. The members of OUR Sym-phony band all lived in and around that area of Greenpoint/Williamsburg.
You might want to look in the OUR BROOKLYN DODGER HISTORY thread for some photos of them.
c.
DODGER DEB
06-01-2008, 11:10 AM
For Stonewalls Granddaughter, here is a photo of OUR BROOKLYN DODGER SYM-PHONY that is hanging in BAMONTE's......
http://www.baseball-fever.com/showpost.php?p=1031987&postcount=2
The Boys in the Band proudly posed with some of OUR BOYS....PEE WEE, GIL, JACKIE, NEWK, DUKE and SKOONJ. Just a great photo!
Enjoy...and BTW, welcome to OUR OUR Forum, glad you found US!
c.
mandrake
06-03-2008, 11:10 AM
Nice to hear that you come from that area, too, mandrake.
BAMONTE'S is an absolutely great restaurant and has been for many, many years. I was born and raised not too far from that area, and we had many family celebrations there. They have always had many photos of OUR DODGERS, and those connected with them, hanging all over their restaurant. The members of OUR Sym-phony band all lived in and around that area of Greenpoint/Williamsburg.
You might want to look in the OUR BROOKLYN DODGER HISTORY thread for some photos of them.
c.
Yes, the last time I was there was after my Grandmother's funeral Aug 2006. (she was 98, so it was an Irish wake). The place has always been home for us. I have personally seen many different people there; from Bishops to the heads of 'families'. After 50 years, it is still a shrine to the Bums and thier Sym-phony.
Stonewalls Granddaughter
06-03-2008, 06:28 PM
That picture is fantastic thank you so much for the link. I remember Bamonte's as well. I believe "Stonewall" was a fixture there. I remember him taking me for my 10th birthday it was a big deal after that we went to Radio City Music to see the Rockettes and a movie. I can barely remember the name of the movie something "Love" it was 1961 and he bought me my first corsage. I was pretty happy.
Thanks again
Stonewalls Granddaughter
06-03-2008, 06:35 PM
I got in touch with Pegi Vail actually she got in touch with me. I am getting the documentary. I can't wailt. Will let you know when I do. Thanks again all of your for being here.
BayRidgeBrooklyn
06-17-2008, 12:09 PM
You're very welcome, Granddaughter.
I hope more of us will purchase this great Sym-phony DVD / VIDEO documentary from Brooklynite Pegi Vail at
info@thedodgerssymphony.com
DickZ
06-17-2008, 01:40 PM
...I hope more of us will purchase this great Sym-phony DVD / VIDEO documentary from Brooklynite Pegi Vail at info@thedodgerssymphony.com
Well, I just asked Pegi for ordering info. I'm still very anxious to see Dodger Deb's book, but I don't think that one will hit the street before August.
KCGHOST
06-17-2008, 02:52 PM
Yes, this seems like something an Old Dodger fan must have. I think I will get it for a friend of mine who goes back to the Pete Reiser days.
That was quick. In the time since I posted I emailed Pegi for the info, got a replay, and PayPaled her the money.
KCGHOST
06-27-2008, 07:44 AM
I have received the video and it is well worth the money to an Old Brooklynite. I can't wait until my friend gets back from his vacation to show him this!!
macco1652
08-24-2008, 11:42 AM
Whats the scoop, My dad "Dixie" who was fortunate enouph to play in Brooklyn 1939-1947, used to always talk about Shorty and the Sym-Phony Band. When did shorty actually become a member? Dad led me to believe that he was there when he bacame a Dodger in 39.
dodger dynamo
08-24-2008, 12:45 PM
There are conflicting stories, but 1939 seems to be the year shorty actually joined the band. O'M joined the brooks in 43 and not in the major role he would later assume. So I'm thinking Branch rickey made most of those decisions up till 1950. battlin bake, the dodger dynamo
metrotheme
08-24-2008, 06:30 PM
What a baseball family you come from. Your dad, uncle and grandfather and great uncle all played Major League baseball. I can only imagine the stories you heard growing up.
Whats the scoop, My dad "Dixie" who was fortunate enouph to play in Brooklyn 1939-1947, used to always talk about Shorty and the Sym-Phony Band. When did shorty actually become a member? Dad led me to believe that he was there when he bacame a Dodger in 39.
Paulmcall
09-19-2008, 11:39 AM
The band brought a lot of color and fun to the fans.
BayRidgeBrooklyn
10-26-2008, 08:23 AM
Thanks for the photo Paul. My wife Yumi asks "Where is that small guy with hamaki (cigar)? See?! The Sym-phony has fans 50 years later...in Japan!:clapping
VIBaseball
01-19-2009, 08:56 AM
Mayor Bloomberg mentioned the Dodgers at one point in his recent State of the City address. Apparently there was also a small marching band bearing the Dodgers logo, evoking memories of the Sym-Phony.
VIBaseball
02-12-2009, 07:58 AM
Here's an article from the Times (August 14, 2007) about the Sym-Phony playing at a Cyclones game. Rachel Robinson's meories are included. :)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/14/nyregion/14ink.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/Subjects/M/Musical%20Instruments
Anthony
03-11-2009, 12:15 PM
Nice to hear that you come from that area, too, mandrake.
BAMONTE'S is an absolutely great restaurant and has been for many, many years. I was born and raised not too far from that area, and we had many family celebrations there. They have always had many photos of OUR DODGERS, and those connected with them, hanging all over their restaurant. The members of OUR Sym-phony band all lived in and around that area of Greenpoint/Williamsburg.
You might want to look in the OUR BROOKLYN DODGER HISTORY thread for some photos of them.
c.
My parents were from Williamsburg and they knew many of the members. At least until a few years ago, the short guy was still living there (he still is as far as I know, though my cousins that live there have not seen him for a while).
I lived around the block from Bamonte's when I first got married. It used to be one of Joe DiMaggio's favorite places. The waiters would keep people away from his table when he went there. Mike Piazza supposedly liked the place also, but I never saw him there.
penncentralpete
07-15-2009, 11:28 AM
Though the Dodger Sym-Phony was not paid by the Dodger front office, some controversy did arise when Shorty Lawrence, who is often erroneously identified as the group's founder, joined the band. He joined at the "suggestion" of Walter O'Malley and as a result he was never fully accepted by the membership. The only thing the Dodgers did was provide the band with a regular seating place, which was in Sec. 8, Row 1, just behind the Brooklyn dugout.