Alice Babebuilt received a formal looking announcement by special delivery mail. It was printed in what appeared to be 14K. Gold Ink on watermarked antique parchment paper with the Roosevelt Hotel insignia in hunter green and royal burgundy. It was not engraved but had to be what used to be called "thermo-engraved" - impressive anyway. She liked the crinkly kind of noise it made in her hand. Reading it sent a nostalgic thrill through her entire being. Her pulse quickened as she scanned the announcement:
CELEBRATE BIG BAND JAZZ AT THE ROOSEVELT HOTEL
NEW YORK June 3, 2004 - Come spend the weekend at The Roosevelt Hotel (1) original home to legendary bandleader Guy Lombardo's famous New Year's Eve broadcasts. In honor of Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians, the Roosevelt is offering the "Big Band Package" including a two-night stay for two in a Superior Room, double occupancy, and tickets to Birdland Jazz Club (2) for a three-course dinner and live jazz or big band music. The package rate starts at $545, beginning June 28 and running through August 22, 2004.
Bandleader Guy Lombardo formed the Royal Canadians jazz band (3) in 1924 and performed annually from The Roosevelt Hotel's Roosevelt Grill his famous New Year's Eve broadcasts of Auld Lang Syne from 1929 through 1959. To book the Guy Lombardo package call today.
**************
Planning to spend the holidays in New York City, Alice hoped to recruit a few female associates to join her at the Waldorf Astoria. She'd booked a large suite for New Year's Eve 2004. The announcement she received made her think perhaps she should cancel at the Waldorf and stay at the Roosevelt instead.
Then she noticed the dates on the invitation. June 28 through August 22nd.
Alice muttered to herself:
"Who dreamt this one up! They're having a "Guy Lombardo Event" and NOT having it on New Year's Eve?"
Despite her disappointment she longed to book the "Roosevelt Package" and take the trip to NYC even if it was smack in the middle of a very long very hot summer.
All the stories her Great-Grandpa Willie used tell her about his friend Guy Lombardo started running through her head. How she wished he was alive and that she could have brought him with her to this celebration where he would have loved sharing his stories.
*******************
Alice's connection to her roots was her Great-Grandpa - the family story teller and her personal link to a romantic past as seen through his eyes.
All that was left now were the wonderful stories he once told Alice around the Garland stove (5) out back in the summer kitchen where they kept warm on cool nights and cooked baking soda biscuits to layer fresh picked wild raspberries and cream they whipped from Nellie their favorite cow.
Great -Grandpa Willie served it up to her with the wave of his hand saying it was his royal strawberry short-cake made especially for his fairy tale princess.
The first story Alice remembered Great - Grandpa Willie telling was about an unforgettable day when he and Guy were "being boys" over at Guys house near London, Ontario, Canada. He was ten and Guy was thirteen.
.
Guy's father Gaetano (6) was an Italian immigrate a tailor and an amateur singer-who taught all of his children how to play musical instruments.
Brother Carmen played the flute and saxophone, while his brother Lebert played drums and trumpet. His younger brother, Victor, played clarinet and sax.
Guy the oldest, was taught the violin by his father as a small child.
One day when Grandpa Willie was over at the Lombardo home playing with Guy and his brothers, Guy attempted to show Willie a song he "jived" up from a traditional one.
Sitting on the front porch Mr. Lombardo overheard the song. He came off the porch, grabbed the violin and literally broke it over Guy's head saying:
"My son, don't ever do that again. Play the music as it is written!"
The rest is history to the outside world, but in the fantasy world of Alice Babebuilt, Guy Lombardo's "Sweetest Music This Side of Heaven" came alive each summer she left the city and came north to be with her with her beloved Great-Grandpa Willie out to his humble cabin by the lake.
Some of the best times happened when Grandpa got "lit". (7)
He'd make phone calls everywhere to find where his childhood friend was making music. Once the local telephone operators found out where he was playing,
it was a sure thing that before the night was over that Grandpa would end up talking to Guy and the operators would all forgive him once more for saying things he shouldn't have.
Sometimes Great-Grandpa and Guy would talk for over an hour laughing and carrying on like there was no tomorrow reliving the happy early days of their childhood around Ingersoll, Woodstock, Stratford and London - all towns around a hundred miles from Toronto, Canada.
Guy and Great-Grandpa Willie would catch up on the hometown news about this one and that on gathered from Willie's latest visit. It always made Grandpa swell with up with pride when Guy would remember to ask about his Uncle George and Cousin Harry who were both well known physicians in British Colombia and the United States.
Before they hung up the two of them would never forget to relive the incident of Mr. Lombardo breaking the violin over Guy's head when he told him to play the music AS written.
Great Grandpa was convinced it was the one incident that made all the difference in Guy's life and what propelled him into fame and fortune and ultimately brought forth "The Sweetest Music This Side of Heaven". (8)
Every time when their telephone call ended Guy would insist that the telephone charges "be reversed" which meant the telephone company would add the charge to Guy's account and not his. (9)
Long distance calls were expensive back in those days and were hard for Willie to face cold sober. To Willie, Guy offering to pay meant much more than the money, it was tangible proof his friend Guy Lombardo liked him.
Guy loved having Grandpa touch base with him a few times a year and must have felt it was a fair trade: His childhood friend Willie hunting him down in exchange for his footing the bill.
Nonetheless Alice knew that it was a very gracious thing that Guy did and she grew up with a tremendous respect and gratitude for him being such a good friend to her beloved Great-Grandfather.
Guy was not only a big man to the world but big in the heart of a little girl who would never get to meet him in person but now had a chance to be part of an event honoring his life in the very place his broadcasts had originated.
She picked up the phone and made reservations at the Roosevelt Hotel for the the last three day event in August 22nd.
**********
August 22, 2004
Alice Babebuilt arrived in New York on the 22nd. of August and managed to get an early check in rather than having to wait until 3 PM. She was tired and needed to relax and take a shower. It didn't
take long for her to realized that the Roosevelt had certainly earned its reputation for good service and warm hospitality.
No news had come in from any of her associates that confirmed joining her at the Roosevelt Hotel. Before leaving she sent out a blanket e-mail, not only to every female in her office but to the branch offices also letting them know that confirmation was no longer required and to just come - that her suite was big enough to easily sleep five. All she asked was that they leave a message saying hold a space and their approximate time of arrival. Confirmations would be accepted by message up to 3PM but so far no one had responded.
As she got on the elevator with the bell man a message came in from Pat. At first she didn't recognize the name but then recalled it was a one among associates affiliated with the Quincy, MA Branch.
Alice had included the entire Boston area in her blanket invitation as it was only a short train ride away. She thought it possible someone from any of the offices might respond on a whim and join her. The next message said:
"Pat from our office is a big jazz fan and looks forward to joining you. Will arrive by 5PM".
Encourage and excited about the prospect of meeting someone new that was also a jazz fan, Alice took a warm bath and relaxed with her favorite book, Eckhart Tolle's 1999 best seller "The Power Of Now" until finally she fell asleep while reading. At 4PM she woke and hear another message on her cell:
"Pat is on the way to your suite from Grand Central."
Quickly freshing up Alice changed into the hotels white terry cloth robe and checked the suite's bar to see what was available so she'd knew what to offer her new arrival.
Hearing a knock on the door she looked through the view and was surprised to see a man.
Through the intercom, she asked who it was
and how she could help him. He replied that Ms. Alice Babebuilt was expecting him and that he was Pat Fitzgerald out of the Quincy Branch.
With that through the viewer in the door he held up his business card along with his driver's license to prove who he was.
Once she got over the amazement of learning Pat was a male and not a female the two of them laughed and decided to make the best of it.
Since Alice had not heard from any other of her associates and it was long past the deadline, they decided he could have one of the bedrooms in the suite all to himself.
Since the bedrooms each had their own separate locks and she was satisfied with who he was, Alice contacted the concierge service to have Patrick's luggage brought up while they continued to work on their drinks and delight each other with pleasant conversation.
That night they enjoyed an early dinner in the main dinning room and then made it to the opening ceremony at 8PM. Dancing began immediately and to their mutual delight, Alice and Patrick found they both enjoyed ball room dancing.
About an hour into the night Alice felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to find Lucy Z. Smith an associate from her own office. They hugged and Lucy said she was so sorry but that she had forgotten all about confirming by phone and had instead sent a fax to Alice's office last night.
Apologizing profusely she wanted to know if there was still room and said she would only be staying for one night of the three day event and that the hotel had allowed her to do this.
Alice introduced Lucy to Patrick and the three of them participated in all the Guy Lombardo Festivities for the
rest of the night. Patrick seemed to be in his glory as he took turns dancing with Alice and Lucy.
When the event ended the three of them took a taxi
to Times Square and enjoyed its vitality.
As midnight approached the three of them hailed a taxi and returned to the Roosevelt Hotel. Patrick went to his room and Alice and Lucy to theirs. The plan was to get a good nights sleep and meet for breakfast at 9 AM in the grill.
After breakfast between shopping and taking a Greyline Sight Seeing Tour the day went quickly; they then escorted Lucy to Grand Central Station to catch a train back to Boston.
Returning at five Alice and Patrick took time to dress formally for the major ballroom event and surprised each other in the lobby of the hotel at seven. Patrick rose to greet Alice as she approached him in her deep mauve strapless evening dress. He bowed and said:
"You are stunning Alice. I am at a loss for words except to say you look beautiful and how pleased I am to be your escort tonight."
Alice did a curtsy that Great - Grandpa Willie had taught her and said to Patrick:
"And YOU kind sir, are a gentleman. May I assure you that the feeling is mutual!"
With that they made a grand entrance into the ballroom and proceeded to enjoy a glorious night in each others arms for every beautiful dance to most of the standards made popular by Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians.
All night long Alice felt the excitement growing between them. When the band played Auld Lang Syne as their final song for the night, Patrick held Alice close to him and the two of them were oblivious to the crowd.
Walking off the dance floor Patrick had an idea:
"Alice Babe, let's take a taxi over to The Birdland Jazz Club (2) and see if we can get in without reservations."
Alice had wanted to go there and was excited at the prospect. She said to Patrick:
"Good idea! It is only short drive over to West 44th street. You know it is a part of this weekends hotel package. I had nearly forgotten about it!"
They were happy to learn at the door that the passes from the Roosevelt Hotel gained them immediate entrance.
The head waiter led them a table close to the front. It was very small and in a crowded area which forced them to sit tightly together with many others.
At first Alice was not sure whose leg was pushed against hers but she decided to enjoy the warmth and sensation and not worry about it.
Eventually she caught the look in Patrick's eye and realized that it was his leg against hers, and no strangers.
They continued laughing and talking - soon Patrick had his arm around Alice and was calling her Babe.
Before they left he had kissed her and she had kissed him back. It was all they could do to keep up some semblance of propriety as they paid the bill and attempted to walk out without staggering.
Back at the hotel they fumbled around for their keys but couldn't find them. Returning to the front desk they presented their identification and came back to collapse into the easy chairs facing the fireplace. As much as they tried to stay awake, they quickly fell asleep.
Patrick woke up first and then woke up Alice saying:
"Babe you need to get comfortable and in your bed or you will be exhausted come daylight."
With that they told each other goodnight and he went to his room and she to hers.
*****************
She wasn't sure how she got there but she was laying in her room totally nude under the covers when she woke up to find Patrick next to her.
Reaching over under the covers she felt his bare upper body and then his lower, discovering he still had on his tux pants.
Feeling the touch of her hand on his body Patrick grabbed it and said:
"Babe is that you. Don't worry nothing happened. I came into check on you and found you collapsed on the floor with no clothes on. I picked you up and put you in bed. Then decided I'd better keep an eye on you in case it looked like you needed a doctor. I think all that's the matter is that the drinks hit you too hard."
Babe heaved a sigh of relief and thanked him saying:
"My God I have one hell of a headache!"
Patrick shook his head and said:
"I was afraid of that! I have aspirin in my suitcase. Can you take aspirin?"
"Yes, no problem."
Within a few minutes Patrick returned with the aspirin, water, and a towel with ice cubes for her head.
The ice felt wonderful but gave her the chills. Patrick loaded her up with blankets but to no avail. Finally Alice said:
"Patrick hold me, I am so cold. Just hold me and make these shivers go away. I can't stop shaking."
*********************
Patrick removed his bottom half and slid under the blankets to warm her body with his. Neither one of them paid much attention to his hard dick, they just accepted it as a realty of life.
Alice stopped shivering and eventually fell asleep along with Patrick still in her arms.
As daylight began peeking beneath the drapes she woke up and recalled what had happened earlier. Trying to get up without waking Patrick, she carefully lifted his left arm but he moaned and said:
"You all right Babe? Where are you going?" With that he drew her close to him. She could feel his cock swelling as he wrapped his legs around her to keep her from getting up.
Kissing her on the back of the neck, she turned to face him. As they held each other tight her nipples grew hard against his. Although her body ached for his she had to tell him:
"Patrick, I want you and need you so badly but unfortunately I must get up and use the bathroom. I promise to return to you after I shower, make some coffee, and eat something. Wait for me darling."
Alice returned an hour later to find Patrick still damp from a shower and sound asleep.
She removed her robe and slipped in with him under the covers to embrace his gorgeous fit body.
Soon she began kissing him and licking him all the way down to his manhood where she began stroking his cock towards full erection.
He turned to her and said:
"Babe, oh Babe. I need you so. I am hungry for you - I want to fuck you all day long. Tell me you need me too, that you want me like I want you...."
His words drove her wild with excitement. Her cunt throbbed so hard she thought it would grab his cock and suck it into her and never let it go.
Breathlessly she told him:
"Patrick, oh Patrick, I have never needed anyone so much in my life. I want you inside me. I want you to fill me up and fuck me hard with everything you have. Fuck me Patrick, fuck me. Fuck me all day long. Make
this day worthwhile for both of us."
With that Patrick plunged his big rock hard cock into her cunt and fucked her so hard she screamed out in pure passion and overwhelming delight:
"Yes, oh yes never stop. You feel so wonderful. Fuck me forever!"
She began climaxing and kept it up for so long she
she lost count.
Her screams and his thrusts sent him right over the edge and he began hollering out:
"Babe, I can't last much longer.......OMG.......I'm cumming I can't help it Babe, I'm cumming......."
Hearing him call out like that took Alice over the big cliff and she yelled back at him:
"I'm cumming with you Patrick....OMG...It's the big one now....OMG....OMG!"
At last a quiet peace fell over Patrick and his Alice In Wonderland. Then together they blessed the Roosevelt Hotel and Guy's Royal Canadian Band for bringing them together for a glorious event that in more ways than one provided "The Sweetest Music This Side Of Heaven".
****************
Footnotes:
(1) The Roosevelt Hotel is a prominent landmark situated on Madison Avenue and 45th Street in New York City. It was named in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt. The hotel opened September 22, 1924 and is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2004 with special events and packages. Its historic heritage is reflected in the meticulously restored interiors, designed to capture the original architecture and offer modern-day amenities. Bandleader Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians jazz band performed annually from The Roosevelt Hotel's Roosevelt Grill, his famous New Year's Eve broadcasts of Auld Lang Syne from 1929 through 1959. [Source: Roosevelt Hotel Web-Site]
***************
(2) Birdland Jazz Club
The original Birdland was named by its owners, Morris Levy and Irving Levy for alto saxophonist Charlie Parker nicknamed "Bird," who served as the headliner for the club although he was later banned from the venue at one point.
The neon sign at the front of the club said "Birdland. The Jazz Corner of the World". The venue seated 400 people and had space for a full orchestra. The name was carried through into the feature of caged finches inside the club. (2)
The venue attracted other jazz musicians who also made recordings there; this includes Art Blakey's 1954 two-volume A Night at Birdland, most of John Coltrane's Live at Birdland and the Toshiko - Mariano Quartet's Live at Birdland. Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Louie Bellson, Bud Powell, Stan Getz, Lester Young, and many others made appearances. (2)
George Shearing's standard "Lullaby of Birdland" (1952) was named in the club's honor. The club's original master of ceremonies, the diminutive, four feet tall Pee Wee Marquette, was notorious for mispronouncing the names of musicians if they refused to tip him. (2)
The disc jockey Symphony Sid broadcast live on WJZ early in the club's existence. During the 1950s, Birdland also became a fashionable place for celebrities to be seen, with Gary Cooper, Marilyn Monroe, Joe Louis, and others as regulars. In addition Sammy Davis, Jr. performed there at times. (2)
Despite this illustrious history, the club began to decline during the 1960s and closed in 1965. The current version of Birdland began in Uptown, Manhattan in 1986 at 2745 Broadway at 106th Street[1], but has since moved to West 44th Street west of Eighth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan where they boast a full weekly schedule of performers. (2)
Notable performers include Michael Brecker, Pat Metheny, Lee Konitz, Diana Krall, Dave Holland, Regina Carter, and Tito Puente. It is also notable as the club where Toshiko Akiyoshi's jazz orchestra, on December 29, 2003, played its final concert. As mentioned above she had also played at the original Birdland. [Source: Wiki ] (2)
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(3) Royal Canadian Jazz Band
In March of 1924 the Lombardos' band recorded several songs for the Gennett label. These recordings reveal the group's early jazz roots. Their sound differed little from that of other white bands of the era, however, and the recordings sold poorly. They soon realized that changes were needed if the orchestra was going to survive. They began to develop their own brand of sweet music, focusing on melody over improvisation. Brother Carmen also helped create a distinct saxophone sound which gave them instant listener recognition and helped set them apart from all the other bands. Louis Armstrong, who called Lombardo his favorite bandleader. Lombardo also consistently ranked high on orchestra polls and even set the record for attendance at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. Vocals in the early years were for the most part provided by Guy's brother, Carmen, and brother-in-law, Kenny Gardner, who joined the family when he married sister Elaine.
***************
(4) The poem "Solitude" was written by Ella Wheeler Wilcox (b.1855-d. 1919) it begins "Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and and you weep alone, for the sad old earth must borrow its mirth but has trouble enough of its own. [Source: 101 Famous Poems, 1958]
****************
(5) The Garland Stove Company produced Garland Ranges. They were a popular wood stove in the 1800s that not only heated the kitchen but heated water in its reservoir, heated up plates on the back of the stove, cooked food on top of the stove and baked food in the oven below. There were miniature working versions that traveling salesmen carried with them on their carts. Some of these eventually become thought of as treasured children toys although that was not there original purpose. Alice Babebuilt inherited one of these along with cast iron pots and and pans and a copper teakettle. All of these items along with the stove were intended to serve as "salesman samples". The housewife or merchant would place an order and the full size model would be delivered by a later date. [Source: Alice Babebuilt Memories 2009]
**********************
(6) Guy's Family
Guy's father, Gaetano was a tailor and an amateur singer who taught all of his children how to play musical instruments. Guy's Brother Carmen played the flute and saxophone, while his brother Lebert (Leebert) played drums and trumpet. His younger brother, Victor, played clarinet and sax. Guy the oldest, was taught the violin as a small child. [Source: Wiki]
Guy's mother regularly had the boys perform at her "Mother's Club" tea party's which Alice Babebuilt great aunts and great-grandmothers were often in attendance. Finally in 1916, Guy with his brothers formed a dance band. The group proved popular in the area around their London home, and in November 1923 they traveled to Ohio to enter the U.S.A. Note: There had actually been a time prior to this where the father frowned upon the idea of his boys becoming professional musicians. [Source: Alice Babebuilt Memories]
*********************
(7) "Lit" was a term Great-Grandpa Willie used which meant "feeling
good" or intoxicated.
*********************
(8) The Sweetest Music This Side of Heaven".
Guy Lombardo was more than just an orchestra leader, he was an institution. Every New Year's Eve at the stroke of midnight millions of listeners from all across America would tune in, via radio and later television, to hear Lombardo and His Royal Canadians play their familiar theme song, ''Auld Lang Syne.'' Lombardo was the consummate bandleader. He presented the kind of music that the general public wanted to hear and to which they wanted to dance, what he called the ''Sweetest Music This Side of Heaven.'' [Source: Guy Lombardo Biography]
*********************
(9) Telephone charges that were "reversed" meant Great-Grandpa would not be getting the bill: this meant that the telephone company instead of charging the caller who placed the call, would instead charge the person who received the call. The common phrase used by the receiver of the call was: "Operator, reverse the charges please." [Source: Alice Babebuilt Memories, 2009]
***********************
(10) Potpourri: Guy was Born June 19, 1902 London, ON, Canada Died: November 5, 1977 Houston, TX
Louis Armstrong, who called Lombardo his favorite
bandleader. Lombardo also consistently ranked high on orchestra polls and even set the record for attendance at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem.
Vocals in the early years were for the most part provided by Guy's brother, Carmen, and brother-in-law, Kenny Gardner, who joined the family when he married sister Elaine. Anniversary Song Auld Lang Syne
Bell Bottom Trousers Deep Purple Easter Parade
Enjoy Yourself Goodnight, Sweetheart Managua, Nicaragua Once in a While Penny Serenade Red Roses for a Blue Lady Red Sails in the Sunset Third Man Theme When My Dreamboat Comes Home Guy Lombardo Medley: Once in a While, I Love You Truly, Coquette, Little Dutch Mill, Nola, Goodnight Sweetheart/Guy Lombardo & Bing Crosby
Young at Heart Guy Lombardo & Al Jolson
April Showers Rockabye your Baby Guy & Carmen Lombardo/Living on Love Little Sir Echo She''ll Come Along
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