Makin’ Whoopee With A Bass Sax

A few weeks ago I wrote an article that featured 2 versions of Rudy Wiedoeft’s, Saxophobia. In my article, the video performance of Saxophobia was performed by The Lawrence Welk Show’s talented, multi-reed player, Bill Page.

According to the Official Blog of the Welk Musical Family, Page’s history with the Welk orchestra goes like this:

The native of Chicago joined the Musical Family in 1951, when they made their move out to Southern California and started out on local television. When the show made it’s national debut on ABC in 1955, he played a nice sax solo of “Unchained Melody” on the pilot episode. Until his departure in 1965, he was a fan favorite with his skills at the saxophone, clarinet and flute.

Since, he has worked with stars such as Judy Garland, Barry Manilow, Ted Mack and has appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He and his wife Musa today make their home in Studio City, CA.

Source: Welk Musical Family

Courtesy of YouTube, here is Page playing his bass saxophone in The Lawrence Welk Orchestra’s rendition of Makin’ Whoopee.

I just want to know how he played his bass with a thin neck strap like that. No wonder they made this arrangement only 1:44 long! 😉