dangregory.com Blog

“My first job on the road in 1938 was with a band out of Harrisburg, The Dan Gregory Band. In order to keep the musicians together and arrive on time to our gigs, Dan bought an old dilapiadated hearse. While on our way to a gig, we went through this town and had to pull up along side a bus at a red light. The people on the bus were laughing and pointing their fingers and obviuosly having a hilarious time. I rolled down my window and shouted at one of the passengers, ‘Don’t laugh lady, someday YOU are going to be this old’. Then they actually applauded us.”
-Ray Ripani, Tenor Sax

Dan Gregory Orchestra around 1940
Billy (Skinny) Ennis
Buddy Watterson
Prowell Seitzinger
Herb Taylor
Dorothy Virginia Dare
Ray Ripani
Bob Schaffner
Henry John Corti
J. Herbert Button? (Burton or Bolton)

Dan Gregory and his Orchestra- around 1938
Dick Smith-Piano
John Maccioli-Trombone
Ray Rossi-Tenor
John Price-Alto
Mickey Melman-Alto
Ray Ripani-Tenor
Speedy Menge-Trumpet
Kenny Frew-1st Trumpet
Brute (?)- Trumpet
Bill Wheeler-Trombone
Red For Tenbaugh-Bass
?-Drums
Fats Gority-Vocalist

I’m trying to have a resource for the Dan Gregory Orchestra and any and all his bandmates. A very cool big band/dance orchestra around in the 1920’s 1930’s and early 40’s. My Uncle Ray Ripani played sax in that band. Anyone familiar with this group please post comments, links or anything related. There is very little info on this group.
I would especially like group members and/or their family members to contact me a elrip1@yahoo.com
I will post more info and pictures soon. Thanks for posting.
Larry