Pranks

Abstract In the jazz world there is a tradition of pranks, practical jokes, and general devilment. Most bands have had at least one prankster. Sometimes pranks become epidemic, especially on long road trips. Jimmy Rushing never forgot one that Count Basie played on him while they were in Dallas with the Blue Devils. Basie said: Jimmy Rushing got in touch with a girlfriend of his who worked in a restaurant, and during a certain time of day he could go around there and get himself a free meal. I had been there and had seen him do it a few times. So one day while he was fooling around in the pool room or somewhere I got hungry and slipped around there and told his girl friend that Jimmy said he won’t be around today and said for me to eat his meal. I ate my head off and cut out, and later on he went around there and sat at the table. She kept walking by without bringing him anything. At first he thought she was just busy and then he started wondering. She finally came and stood looking at him.