Like Jack’s band, the Pan-Pacific Orchestra traveled with a band boy, who walked behind Fumio Dakuzaku respectfully and helpfully. As a librarian, Fumio was a rather poor choice because he clearly had little musical background, and the band boy had to prompt him as to which sax was a tenor and which was an alto.

Kat took me aside and advised me that the band boy’s name was Key Kaisa, pronounced something like Kay Ky-ee-za but without much emphasis on the ee. Kat watched warily for my reaction.

I slowly ventured, “Is he aware—”

Kat cut me off. “Yes. He knows about Kay Kyser. He is very upset having the same name as a comedy bandleader.”

I was introduced to the boy, who could have been no more than sixteen and seemed very serious about his job. I said his name as accurately as I could, making no reference to Kay Kyser, and asked him about his aspirations.

“I live to be a jazz trumpet player. I am studying with Mr. Oshima, who plays our first trumpet,” he said proudly. “In return for that, I am fortunate enough to have obtained this position. The competition was very great.” I congratulated him and said I knew I would be hearing great music from his trumpet someday. The boy gave an embarrassed bow and quickly moved away.

Kat looked relieved. “That was very generous of you. It will be the greatest moment of his trip. Now we wonder if we might have the honor of performing one of your arrangements for you. That would be the greatest moment of our trip.”

In point of fact, I really didn’t relish the thought of listening to one of my yeoman-like arrangements when I was anxious to hear Gail’s bold work and my own voicing of it. But I could see it meant a lot to the ensemble, and when I nodded my okay, there was an instantaneous debate within the band as to which arrangement of mine should be played. At last, Kat opted for my chart of “Down South Camp Meeting.”

I was invited to sit with Fumio in one of several white folding chairs that had been set out. The band members all held their instruments at the ready, whether they played on the downbeat or not. This might be the way a marching band would begin, but certainly not how a swing ensemble would do it. I’d have to slip a word to Kat about this.