Introduction
Stanley "Hap" Mendelson (June 23, 1923—October 4, 2002) was an American Dixieland jazz pianist. He played with the Dukes of Dixieland in the 1950s and also worked with many celebrated musicians of the time, such as Raymond Burke, Harold Cooper, Papa Jack Laine, and Lizzie Miles.
Between 1948 and 1984, he was involved in 58 recording sessions.
Early life
Stanley Mendelson was born June 23, 1923, to Stanley Julius Mendelson (1898–1978) and Ellen Adele Allen Mendelson (1904–1970). He had three brothers—Allen James Mendelson (1925–2006), Harold F Mendelson (1926–1930), and Howard Paul Mendelson (1931–2019).
Mendelson grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he studied music at Loyola University. His style was heavily influenced by the ragtime New Orleans pianist Armand Hug.
Career
Stanley Mendelson began his professional music career in the late 1940s in the traditional jazz scene of New Orleans, playing with clarinetist Raymond Burke And His New Orleans Jazz Band with drummer Abbie Brunies, trumpeter Alvin Alcorn, trombonist Jack Delaney, and bassist Sherwood Mangiapane. He made his first recordings with Burke's band in 1948.
He then joined Johnny Wiggs And His New Orleans Kings and played with Emile Ursin (drums), Harry Shields (clarinet), Sherwood Mangiapane (bass), and Tom Brown (trombone). He was heard on the band's 1953 album Johnny Wiggs' New Orleans Jazz on Southland Records (S-LP 200).
In the mid-1950s, Mendelson joined The Dukes Of Dixieland and made several recordings in the following years. In 1956, he played piano on the album You Have To Hear It To Believe It!, accompanied by Harold Cooper (clarinet); John Edwards (drums); Jacob Assunto (trombone, banjo); Frank Assunto, Freddie Assunto (trumpet); and Bill Porter (tuba, bass). The following year, he played on Dukes' album On Campus Volume 8.
In 1960, Mendelson played on the album Louie And The Dukes Of Dixieland featuring Louis Armstrong.
After leaving the Dukes, he played with Chink Martin and recorded Shades Of New Orleans with Louis Cottrell Jr., Raymond Burke (clarinet); Arthur "Monk" Hazel (drums); Joe Capraro (guitar); Waldren "Frog" Joseph (trombone); and Thomas Jefferson (trumpet).
In 1974, Joe Capraro and Mendelson recorded Storyville Piano on Land O' Jazz Records (LOJ 2674).
In his career, Mendelson also recorded with Papa Jack Laine, Santo Pecora, Lizzie Miles, Sharkey Bonano, Johnny St. Cyr, Ken Colyer, Joe Mares, George Girard and Percy Humphrey.
Mendelson's last recording was the album A Museum Artifact: The Story of Jazz in 1983 with The N'Orleans Statesmen (banjoist Danny Barker, bassist Lloyd Lambert, clarinetist Joe Darensbourg, drummer Freddie Kohlman, trombonist Waldren "Frog" Joseph, and trumpeter Clive Wilson.)
Personal life
In 1953, Mendelson married Frances Lee Kaup (1926–2007).
Death
Mendelson died in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 4, 2002, at age 79.