Gig stories: Mambo raids the smorgasbord
Austin music magnate Mike Mordecai shared a story with me recently about a famous and colorful Austin musician, the late John Mambo Traynor. Salsa/jazz group Beto y los Fairlanes was about to perform for a big wedding reception and Mambo, a competitive windsurfer, had been windsurfing all day. Mike says he came right off the beach and straight into his tux, no shower or anything, and sat down and played the first set. At the break, Mambo was so famished from the days activity that he descended on the smorgasbord with a vengeance, eating everything in sight with no thought for what was going on top of what. Mike says after 30-plus minutes of aggressive grazing, Mambo was as green as the fairways at Augusta. As they returned to the stage for the second set, Beto called up a requested song, New York New York (which is on most musicians sick-and-tired-of-playing list). Mambo, as if on cue, turned on his stool and threw up into his snare drum case. Without missing a beat, Beto retorted, “OK, then how about Satin Doll ?”
3. April 2010 at 1:32 am :
I was lucky enough to play and record with Mambo for several years back in the mid 1980’s in Austin with Tommy Pierce’s group. He was such a powerful player as was his personality. What struck me most about him as a drummer is how musically sensitive he was, which is rare for drummers. He listened to and heard everything everyone was playing on stage and inspired all of us to play at a higher level. It was an honor for me to know him and play with him. I still play guitar and perform but I always compare any drummer I play with to John… no one ever come close. He will always be a part of who I am musically. Looking back, I feel very fortunate to have shared the stage with such a great talent and I miss him very much. SR
3. April 2010 at 1:13 pm :
Thanks for the comment, Steve. Right on and heartfelt. Mambo was an inspiration in many ways. Totally miss him now in the Austin scene.