Bill
Allred's Classic Jazz Band Bios
Warren Sauer
Warren
Sauer -
Drums
Originally
from San Diego, California, Warren spent only very few years
just being a kid. When he was nine,
his father noticed a newspaper article recruiting musicians
for a new band, no talent necessary. Bonham Brothers Mortuary
had been supporting marching bands for thirty years under
direction of Jules Jaques, former lead trumpet with John
Phillip Sousa; this was to be the newest version. "No
talent necessary," was indeed fortunate, since Warren
had no musical experience at all up to this point. The only
instruments left when he arrived were drums or tuba, and
we know which he chose. Another obstacle was that he is left
handed. Warren has been thankful ever since the first lesson,
that his teacher insisted he learned to play with a right
hand lead.
At
nineteen he became percussionist with the San Diego Symphony
under Andre Previn, the youngest person to
ever hold such
a position. He stayed with the symphony
for six years, working with numerous conductors, including Jose Iturbi, Ferde
Grofe, Arthur Fiedler, John Barnett, Robert Shaw and Daniel Lewis. Over forty-plus
years, his career has covered a vast spectrum of experiences and types of music,
from a marimba quintet on the Ed Sullivan show, several symphony orchestras,
three years with the "California Story" with Meredith Wilson, and orchestras
backing popular stars like Peggy Lee, Andy Williams, the Kingston Trio, Anita
Bryant and the Mills Brothers, as well as college bands.
In the Army he, of course, played in the Army band and
participated in the worldwide all-Army entertainment contest.
Following this came Reno hotel jobs with numerous acts,
NBC-TV shows in summer 1965, and several years in Las Vegas
with Tom Jones, Elvis Presley, Pat Boone, Brenda Lee, Frankie
Laine and Sandler and Young. Back in California, playing
ice shows and circuses led to work at Disneyland and finally
a move to Florida and Disney World, where he has been a
staff musician for over twenty years.
Disney World
(the day job) has been another meeting place in the long
list of stars Warren has worked with: Bob Hope,
Roger Williams, Tony Orlando and Dawn, Steve Allan, Gordon
McRae, Jack Jones, Kay Star....the list goes on. Big Bands
he's worked with during this time include Bob Crosby, Ray
Block, Ray McKinley, Buddy Morrow, Les Elgart and Jimmy
Dorsey. Warren also worked alongside Bill Allred, founder
of the world famous "Rosie O' Grady's Goodtime Jazz
Band" for sixteen years. This band enjoyed many years
of festivals and traveling both here and abroad.
Warren's recording credits number more than 25 albums,
with groups of all types and sizes, and Warren is a performing
artist for the Zildjian cymbal company. With Bill Allred's
Classic Jazz Band, his driving style and excellent time
add to the impeccable sharpness and energy of the band.
Members Bios:
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