Happy Birthday Sid!

You may be in the Abha Kingdom, but some of us are still partying here on Earth.


You are very much missed, Uncle Sid.

SIDNEY LOUISE PORTILLO

She's here!!!! We are so excited to announce the arrival of our new daughter, *Sidney Louise Portillo, *born on Monday, July 30, 2012 at 7:56am at Hospital de La Mujer in San Salvador, El Salvador, weighing 7lbs. 12 oz, 52 cm long.  I had a great and fast labor (5 hours), and we brought her home today to meet Leroy and be together with all her grandparents, Margie, Gary, Lisa, and Jess!!!

*-----More about her name-----*



She is named after my paternal grandfather, *Sidney Bulkin*, and Michael’s maternal great grandmother, *Louise Groger.*  Both were beloved relatives, who had lasting and significant impacts on our lives, and were one of the first people to become a Bahá’í in our families, Sid in 1957, and Louise in 1936. Sid was best known for his dynamic personality, incredible sense of humor and whole-hearted dedication to the Bahá’í Faith.  Along with my grandma Joan, he nurtured the family genes and love for music and the arts.  During his career as a jazz drummer, not only did he play with such stars as Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald, but he also labored insistently to promote the ideals of love and unity to all mankind.  During the 50’s he contributed to breaking the color line by traveling and performing across the South in Billy Eckstine’s all black band.  I (and so many of us) remember and miss his great wit, stories, jokes, and lively conversation. Sidney means “wide meadow.”

Louise was an independent and stalwart woman, who after the passing of her husband, Theodore Groger, decided to pioneer for the Bahá’í Faith to the island of Chiloe, off the coast of Chile.  She was a “Knight of Baha’u’llah,” a title given to the first Baha’i pioneers of virgin territories, who promoted the teachings of Baha’u’llah, the prophet founder.  While there, she made money for herself by gardening and selling her flowers.  She later returned to northern California to live in Columbia (neighboring town to Twain Harte where the Bulkins live, and Sonora, where the Grogers continue to own property).  Michael (and many others) remember her peaceful presence, modesty and resoluteness.  Louise means “famous warrior.”

Sidney’s namesake makes us think of her great grandpa’s animated spirit, and her great-great grandmother’s independent strength, and happily reminds us of both their deep love towards our families, their service to humanity, and good will towards others.  We feel so lucky she has joined our family and we are so excited to welcome her to the world!

Sid's Brother, Harry, Passed Away

HI:

Harry Bulkin passed away this morning at 3:30 am in Mission Hills at Providence Holy Cross Hospital.

It was peaceful and quiet.  Please say a prayer for him and his journey in the next world.

He was 97 years old...

Love,
Gary

Happy Naw Ruz

Sid And The Fast

The fast.

The nineteenth month, following immediately on the hospitality of the intercalary days, is the month of the fast. During nineteen days the fast is observed by abstaining from both food and drink from sunrise to sunset. As the month of the fast ends at the March equinox, the fast always falls in the same season, namely, spring in the Northern, and autumn in the Southern, Hemisphere; never in the extreme heart of summer nor in the extreme cold of winter, when hardship would be likely to result. At that season, moreover, the interval between sunrise and sunset is approximately the same all over the habitable portion of the globe, namely, from about 6 A.M. to 6 P.M. The fast is not binding on children and invalids, on travelers, or on those who are too old or too weak (including women who are with child or have babes at the breast). 

Sid enjoyed the fast.  As we pray during this season, let us all remember what a wonderful soul we lost just a few short years ago.

One Year Older .........

We still celebrate your birth, Sidney!

Interview With Peggy King On WYYR.com

Listen to internet radio with YesterYear Radio on Blog Talk Radio

Two hour interview with call ins and music.  I was the first call, after they played a tune Peggy sang while with the Ralph Flanagan Orchestra.  You can listen to the entire two hours, or just the first five minutes to hear her talk about Sid!

H/T to Herb Stark for alerting me to the show.

Ralph Flanagan And His Orchestra

Peggy King and Harry Prime, circa 1950.  Picture, courtesy of Herb Stark.

Ralph Flanagan Orchestra - Nevertheless (singer, Harry Prime)

Sid played on this track.

From Herb Stark:

Here's an internet radio show where listeners call in.  Harry Prime, Peggy King , George Roumanis (who used to play bass in the Flanagan band) and I were on a few weeks ago.  It was fun!  Put this in your computer:

http://www.wyyr.com/sunday-night-special.html

You will see that Peggy King will be 'starring' on this show Sunday, May 22nd.  If you call, I'm sure she'll be delighted since she remembers singing with the Flanagan band when Sid was playing.  It's a lot of fun and host Chris Valenti (broadcasting from Vero Beach, Florida) does a great job of making call-ins feel at ease.  You can check the Harry Prime show when you bring up this 'Big Band Sunday Night Special' announcement.  I plan to call along with Harry and George and maybe Hannah Flanagan (she's coming up to 92 on May 29) but she's a very private person.  But I'll ask her.    It's a 2 hour show starting at 7 PM eastern time.

Thanks For The Shout Out, Herb!

Nice little piece over at Big Band Academy Of America blog.

Happy New Year

A shout out to Aria Bruss who is performing at the Scripps Ranch Theatre.  If you are in the area, grab a ticket and see her wonderful performance.

RIP Joe Morello

IRVINGTON, N.J. – One of the most famous drummers in jazz music history has died.


Family members say Joe Morello died Saturday at his home in northern New Jersey. A cause of death was not immediately available.


Morello, who was 82, was best known for his work with the Dave Brubeck Quartet. He was a member of the group for more than 12 years and was featured on such jazz classics as "Take Five" and "Blue Rondo a la Turk."

Morello also played with many leading jazz musicians over the years, including pianist Marian McPartland's Hickory House Trio in the early `50s.


After Brubeck disbanded the quartet in 1968, Morello turned to teaching and writing instructional books.

RIP.  Say hi to Sid for me.

We Miss You, Sid -- This Is Your Family Singing To You!

Three years since you left this earthly kingdom.  We all sing (and dance) to you.  Enjoy.



That would be Joan, Sid's ex-wife and the mother of his children, the first brunette dancer in the black dress.

My father, Charles Maxon, with the Paul Whiteman Band:
Say It With Music


I can't get a complete mp3 anywhere at this time that confirms Sid is on the drums, but I did confirm with Herb Stark that Sid played on the album with Ralph Flanagan "Always" (liner notes include Sid). Click on this link, and the click on the sample song "Rub-a-Dub-Dub" for a little drumming by Sid.

Here's Joan, Kelly, Leslie, me, Bob, Rick and Walter, back in the 1960's, with The Promised One. Saeed is the one chanting.


Leslie and Kelly singing one of Sid's favorite songs.
We Are One


Ruby and Summer



Gia Sachs
Move On


Aria Bruss and her brother, Gia
Kindly Heart


Kelsey Bulkin - Made In Heights
All The Places



RIP to our recently departed Eileen Norman, Jim Nelson, and Jane Russell (whom Sid enjoyed a special relationship with for a long time).

P.S. Sid, look out for my grandson, Zaire, as he transitions to a new and unknown home environment. He needs everyone's support and love.

Video two years ago of him singing to the YouTube video of Sugarland's "All I Want To Do."  Well, not really singing, but trying to!

O God! Refresh and gladden my spirit.  Purify my heart.  Illumine my powers.  I lay all my affairs in Thy hand.  Thou art my Guide and my Refuge.  I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved.  I will be a happy and joyful being.  O God!  I will no longer be full of anxiety, nor will I let trouble harass me.  I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life.

O God! Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself.  I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord.
--'Abdu'l-Baha

"Music To My Ears!"

For Sid's enjoyment!  Latest RubySummer.


Ruby Summer EPK from Ruby Summer on Vimeo.

Giants Win The Pennant!

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images



So, Sid is obviously happy that his beloved Giants finally won the pennant, as a San Franciscan team, and the first since 1954.

Hope you and your buddies are whopping it up!

A Little Bit Of Baseball In Heaven

Well, Sid must be enjoying the World Series, what with the Giants up on the Rangers 2 zip!  They lost the last time they were in the series against the Angels back in 2002.  The team hasn't won a World Series since 1954, and never one since they've been in San Francisco.  When I had season tickets to the Dodgers, Sid used to call me at the beginning of every season and say "Mel, so ... you got any Giants' tickets for me this year?"  One of my co-workers is from the Bronx and sometimes I'd give the two of them my tickets and they'd go to the game together.  I'd sure hate to be the people sitting next to them during the games at Dodger Stadium!

One of the older baseball teams, the Giants have won the most games of any team in the history of American baseball, and any North American professional sports team. They have won 21 National League pennants and appeared in 18 World Series championships, both tied with rivals Los Angeles Dodgers for most in the league.

Another Happy Birthday To Our Dear, Departed Sid Bulkin

Vic Damone - As Time Goes By

Happy Father's Day, From Your Kids

Pictures courtesy of my mom from one of her Christmas gatherings.

Play Song And Help Gia Win!

The Headstone

Kelly and Leslie at the gravesite, where the family laid the headstone (on my birthday!)


It's a beautiful headstone, and I especially love the musical notes on the side. Great work.

Happy New Year (from Sid!)

Happy Naw Ruz, for all of you coming off the fast.