Spotlight on Sausalito Artists

Varda Mask

The Sausalito Center for the Arts at 750 Bridgeway is presenting a celebration of Sausalito’s artistic legacy, its present-day art scene and creative vision for the future. A graphical timeline traces artists and organizations that have contributed to the history of local art. Here are thumbnail sketches of some of the historic artists whose work is on display:

Enid Foster was a colorful personality from the 1950s, with a fringe of white hair peeping out from a head scarf and faded blue jeans. She became well known in Sausalito for her drawings and her anecdotes of the past. Her works include a self-portrait entitled “Tourists Go Home.”

After WWII Walter Kuhlman moved to Sausalito and began exploring Abstract Expressionism while also experimenting with printmaking. Kuhlman was one of six Bay Area artists, along with Richard Diebenkorn, who published a portfolio of lithographs that became a landmark in Abstract Expressionist printmaking. They became known as “The Sausalito Six” since most lived here.

In 1947, Greek émigré Jean Varda and artist Gordon Onslow Ford purchased the 1879 Ferryboat Vallejo, and salvaged materials from the abandoned WWII Sausalito shipyard to remodel it into two artist studios. Ever since, the ferry has served as a vibrant bohemian salon for a host of well-known artists and counterculture poets and writers.

From 1975-2007 Phil Frank was the pen behind the Farley cartoon strip in the San Francisco Chronicle and one of the Bay Area’s most beloved cartoonists. As a founder of the Sausalito Historical Society, he created the first history exhibit in the Ice House. His work as a writer/humorist inspired a renewed interest in Sausalito history.

There is also an exhibit of puppets from Antenna Theater, and memorabilia from the legendary Record Plant recording studio. Beyonce, Prince, Sly Stone, Rick James, Santana, Grateful Dead, the Tubes, Peter Frampton, Bob Marley and the Wailers and many others recorded in the redwood-sided building near the Bay Model. In 1978 Fleet Fleetwood Mac produced “Rumours,” the 26th-best selling album of all time there, even though the band’s two couples were breaking up as they created rock history. Attendees can hear some of the memorable music created at the Plant.

In addition, a Sausalito Showcase features a juried show of works by current Sausalito and Marin City artists leading today’s creative expression; these works are available for purchase.

An Art Tech Exhibit demonstrates what the future of art holds for Sausalito and beyond in multimedia and cutting-edge technology such as artificial intelligence.

Admission is free and reservations are not required. The Center will be open Wednesday – Sunday

11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Volunteers are still needed for the exhibition, which will run until March 19. You can learn more and choose your time slots on the SCA website.

https://sausalitocenterforthearts.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=70740

Rick Seymour’s Final Chapter

By Larry Clinton, Sausalito Historical Society

PHOTO FROM SHARON SEYMOUR

Rick Seymour enjoying life in Sausalito

Native son Rick Seymour passed away at home in Sausalito on January 30. He had been battling health issues until he was brought home the day before. He will be remembered as a Renaissance man, with many passions and talents.

As Steefenie Wicks wrote in this paper in 2017, “Rick Seymour has lived in Sausalito most of his life.  No matter where he traveled, he always returned to the place he calls his inspiration, Sausalito.” In her column, which can be found at https://www.sausalitohistoricalsociety.com, Steefenie relates how, as a boy walking on foggy Bridgeway, Ric was hailed by a voice offshore. Rick yelled back “Hello.”  Then came the voice again yelling, “What ship is that?” and Rick yelled back “It’s no ship! I’m delivering the morning papers.”  Then he heard with some concern,” Oh no! Reverse engines! Reverse engines!”  As Steefenie put it, “Only this attentive paperboy stopped the shipwreck from happening.”

Rick became an expert at treating drug addiction while working at the Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinics for 34 years. With founder Dr. David Smith and other staff medical experts, he co-authored 11 books on substance abuse treatment and community medicine. He is recognized in Who’s Who as a recipient of the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award.

I got to know Ric and his wife Sharon through our volunteer efforts at the Sausalito Historical Society. Rick was at every event, often serving in the indispensable position of bartender. Sharon was secretary of the Historical Society Board for many years and is still active as a researcher, with a keen knowledge of the Society’s archives. Rick was a genial host, happy to share stories from Sausalito’s past, including his personal relationship with luminaries such as actor/writer Sterling Hayden, poet/playwright Brendan Behan, recording artist Gale Garnett, novelist Evan S. Connell, restauranteur/mayor Sally Stanford, and many local habitues of the no name bar and other Sausalito hangouts. Rick also wrote historic columns for this newspaper ,including one on early days of the Haight-Ashbury Free Clinics, which can also be found on the SHS site.

My wife Jane and I were pleased to see Rick and Sharon at Historical Society functions, Jazz and Blues by the Bay and at events sponsored by Sausalito Village, where they were founding members. Rick served on the non-profit’s Board of Directors and coordinated its memoir writing group.

After retirement in 2007, he continued to pursue his love of writing and authored five mysteries, the latest being “Murder on the Dock of the Bay,” set in the floating homes community. I was happy to proofread the manuscript, especially when I discovered I was a character in it! The book is on sale at Sausalito Books by the Bay.

Rick is remembered fondly by his many friends and colleagues. In the words of Historical Society President Jerry Taylor: “As a long-time resident, he was a participant, observer, and chronicler of Sausalito's ever-changing scene.”

George Duke: Local Boy to Jazz Superstar

By Larry Clinton, Sausalito Historical Society

Cover of George Duke’s final album

When George Duke was four years old, living in Marin City, his mother took him to a Duke Ellington concert. “I remember seeing this guy in a white suit, playing this big thing, which I later found out was a piano," Duke told USA TODAY in 1997. "He had all these guys around him, and he was waving his hands conducting, and he spoke very intelligently and seemed to be having a good time. And his name was Duke, and my last name was Duke. I told my mom, 'I want to be him.' That moment in time set the stage for me." He began his formal piano studies at the age of seven at a local Baptist church.

Although Duke started playing classical music, he credited his cousin Charles Burrell for convincing him to switch to jazz. He explained that he "wanted to be free" and Burrell "more or less made the decision for me" by convincing him to "improvise and do what you want to do."

George was very active musically while attending Tam High. A local newspaper, the Tamalpais News, reported in 1967: “He played in the band for four years, was a member of the orchestra, and even sang in an opera presented at Tam, ‘Amelia Goes to the Ball.’ During his sophomore year he organized his first jazz group. Later in high school he brought together his first trio.

“Although George has still not completed his musical training at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where he is a senior, he and his trio have successfully completed many night club engagements in the Bay Area as well as giving concerts throughout Northern California.”

Over the course of his four-decade-plus career, the Grammy Award-winning keyboardist put out more than 40 albums and collaborated with artists such as Frank Zappa, Miles Davis, Jill Scott and Michael Jackson. His music was also sampled by Kanye West, Daft Punk and Common.

"It's a wonderful thing that has happened under the banner of jazz," Duke told USA TODAY of his career longevity. "In R&B and rock, when you are over a certain age, they say goodbye to you. But in jazz, you just kind of level off and continue to gain respect, so long as you keep your integrity."

He returned to his Mill Valley alma mater more than once to entertain the students, and the Tamalpais News covered a 1967 performance:

“The scene was Mead Theater around three o’clock on Breakthrough Day and many Tam students had come to the entertainment rally to see the George Duke Trio. They were not disappointed. In fact, the George Duke Trio was having a ‘jazzy’ time communicating musically with the student audience. Spirits were high among the students, who got so enthusiastic that they began clapping to the beat of the trio’s rendition of ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.’ The appearance of George Duke and his trio was one of the highlights of the Breakthrough program. Their performance evoked a cheering response, and the students were reluctant to let the trio leave the stage.”

In 1977 Contemporary Keyboard Magazine commissioned Duke to compose an orchestral suite, excerpts of which he performed at the 20th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival in September. Magazine editor Tom Darter said Duke’s Contemporary Keyboard Suite would utilize a variety of keyboard instruments including acoustic and electric piano, and various synthesizers. “We chose Duke for this commission because he is a master at the multiple keyboard approach to modern music as well as being one of today’s finest young composers and keyboard performers.” At Monterey Duke performed with the 21-piece California All-Star Jazz Band conducted by Benny Golson.

Duke played an amazing array of instruments, including acoustic piano, electric grand piano, Fender Rhodes, a four voice Oberheim Polyphonic Synthesizer, a mini Moog and an ARP Odessey. Darter described Duke as an artist “almost beyond classification. His artistry ranges from pure jazz, through rock interpretation and into modern contemporary improvisational music. He is a wonder."

This musical colossus bestrode many musical genres, teaming with contemporary jazz performers including Gerald Wilson, Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby Hutcherson, Lalo Schifrin, Gene Ammons, Dexter Gordon, Gary Burton, Art Blakey, Clark Terry and others. His collaboration with French contemporary violinist Jean-Luc Ponty led to major engagements and several record albums. From the Ponty experience Duke joined iconoclastic performer-composer Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention. Duke followed his stint with the Mothers by joining Cannonball Adderley with whom he served as keyboardist for two years. Then it was back to the Mothers and Zappa, a fruitful association that proved seminal for Duke.

His final album, DreamWeaver, was released July 2013, shortly before his death at age 67, and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's contemporary jazz chart.

The Kingston Trio and the Trident

By Larry Clinton, Sausalito Historical Society

In the late 1950s, three Bay Area college kids formed the Kingston Trio and fostered a national folk music revival. Their 1958 release of “Tom Dooley” changed popular music forever, inspiring their contemporaries to pick up guitars and banjoes and join in the fun.

Nick Reynolds met Bob Shane at Menlo College, and Shane introduced him to Dave Guard, a graduate student at nearby Stanford. The group was later discovered by San Francisco publicist Frank Werber and signed to Capitol Records.

“Tom Dooley,” an old standard inspired by a Confederate veteran’s conviction for murder, was featured on their debut album. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard pop charts, won a Grammy and helped launch other artists including Joan Baez; Peter, Paul and Mary; and, eventually, Bob Dylan.

Five Kingston Trio albums topped the Billboard charts, with favorite songs including “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?”, “500 Miles,” “It Was a Very Good Year,” (also recorded by Frank Sinatra) and “Sloop John B,” later a Beach Boys hit.

“Their music was a balm to the growing angst of a generation that was soon to turn our country and our world upside down,” Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary wrote of them in 2014. “They tossed off renditions of song gems that felt effortless yet genuine, cool yet caring, sympathetic yet ‘no big ting.’”

With their manager, Frank Werber, they purchased a jazz club called the Yacht Dock on Bridgeway in 1960. They kept that name until about 1966 before renaming it the Trident.  According to the Trident website, the restaurant “quickly became a gathering place for like-minded locals and celebrities from around the world, and was known for its its laid-back vibe, healthy, organic cuisine, creative cocktails (such as the tequila sunrise), comely waitresses, artistic decor, stellar views and its many famous patrons. Janis Joplin (a regular with her own table), Jerry Garcia, Joan Baez, Clint Eastwood, Bill Cosby and the Smothers Brothers were often on the scene, and Bill Graham was a frequent patron — most notably hosting parties at the restaurant for the Rolling Stones during their two Bay Area concerts in the1970s.”

In 1980, the Trident closed and became Horizons Restaurant. But in 2012, owner Bob Freeman reverted back to the Trident, restoring the original decor from the 1960s, including the famous wall and ceiling art and rich, warm woodwork featuring voluptuously flowing curves.

Two of the original trio members, Bob Shane and Nick Reynolds, lived here later in their careers. In 1964, the Sausalito News saluted Reynolds and his road manager Don McArthur “for the guts they displayed when a car went off the unprotected sea wall on Bridgeway” going into the Bay to pull out survivors.

Frank Werber and all the members of the Trio, which changed personnel over the years, are all gone now, but the Trident remains on Bridgeway.

Bob Freeman has hosted some memorable Historical Society fundraisers in the Bridgeway location. In 2009 we staged a Trident Flashback, encouraging everyone to come in 60s regalia, and featuring music by some of the groups that had performed live there back in the day. Then, in January 2013, we helped Bob celebrate the return of the Trident name with a party that featured the World Premiere of "The Lion Sons," a trio put together by Josh Reynolds. Josh is the son of Nick Reynolds and was raised in Sausalito.

Nick Reynolds (at right on the cover of the Kingston Trio’s debut album) was known as the Runt of the Litter by his bandmates.

Shh. . . Gina at Work

COURTESY PHOTO

Gina Berriault, Sausalito author

Sausalito Author Gina Berriault had a prolific writing career crafting stories, novels and screenplays. Focusing largely on life in and around San Francisco. Her book Women in Their Beds: New & Selected Stories (1996), won the PEN/Faulkner Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Bay Area Book Reviewers Award. The book was praised in the New York Times as "jewel-box perfect." In 1997 Berriault was chosen as winner of the Rea Award for the Short Story, for outstanding achievement in that genre, and won the fiction category at the National Book Critics Circle Awards

She taught writing at San Francisco State University and also received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, a Guggenheim Fellowship, an Ingram-Merrill Fellowship, a Commonwealth Gold Medal for Literature, the Pushcart Prize and several O'Henry prizes.

She adapted her short story "The Stone Boy" for a film of the same title, released in 1984 starring

Robert Duval and Glenn Close.

She was also a contributor to Contact, the West Coast literary quarterly, edited and published by Sausalitans Bill Ryan and Calvin Kentfield in the 1960s.

Berriault died in 1999, at age 73, at Marin General Hospital. In her obituary, the Washington Post reported: “Throughout her career, critical notices for Ms. Berriault were generally positive, though book sales were not. Andre Dubus called her ‘a splendid but unheralded writer.’ Another critic, Molly McQuade, writing in the Chicago Tribune, lamented that Ms. Berriault's work had not ‘met with a splashy success or even with the sustained respect that it deserves’."

Another review, on enotes.com, states: “Gina Berriault is known for the complexity and compassion with which she weaves her characters, and her stories are such models of economy that they seem almost telepathic.

“Berriault employs her vital sensibility―sometimes subtly ironic and sometimes achingly raw―to touch on the inevitability of suffering and the nature of individuality, daring to see into the essence of our predicaments. What moves us? What dictates our behavior? What alters us? Her writing is spare, evanescent, pulsing with life and shimmering with life's strange hope. Her stories illustrate the depth of her emotional understanding.

By all accounts a private person, Berriault kept a low profile in Sausalito. On her death, the Historical Society’s Phil Frank wrote, “a shy, reclusive woman, she quietly rose- to prominence as one of this country’s premier short story writers, while remaining relatively unknown in her own community. Only upon her death did many of her neighbors learn the respect she commanded among leading literary critics nationwide.”

 One exception to that rule came in 1997 when she appeared before the City Council to protest amplified music being played at the Ferry Plaza. The volume exceeded the City’s noise control ordinance and distracted her from her work. Her cause was taken up by friends and neighbors including fellow writer Bill Broder who wrote to this newspaper: “Sausalito is fortunate to have one of this country’s finest living writers living among us.” He added: “I feel that every household in Sausalito should own at least one work by Gina Berriault.”

Today, the Gina Berriault Award, created by Peter Orner and Fourteen Hills Review at San Francisco State University in 2009, honors her legacy. Her books are available through the Marin County library system and can be ordered through Sausalito Books by the Bay.

George Lister, the “Million Dollar Kid”

by Brian Crawford and Larry Clinton, Sausalito Historical Society

ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF ANNE T. KENT CALIFORNIA ROOM

Wanted poster for George Lister

The following account is excerpted from an essay by Brian Crawford for the Anne T. Kent California Room Newsletter:

In the 1920s, George Lister worked for the American Railway Express Company handling package deliveries by railroad. Lister’s office was in the Northwestern Pacific Ferry Building in Sausalito. Every day shipments arrived by train to be delivered to San Francisco on the railroad ferries, or the reverse, and George was the Messenger in charge.

Every Monday morning the Wells Fargo Bank and Union Trust Company of San Francisco shipped the company’s payroll as usual from the Bank of Italy (now Bank of America) office in San Francisco to the Bank of Sausalito at Bridgeway and Excelsior. The money was shipped in a small combination safe. Lister’s job was to open the safe, confirm the amount of currency, and walk it across the street to the bank for deposit.

The March 10 shipment consisted of $14,000 in twenties, tens, and five-dollar bills. When Lister opened the safe and counted the cash that morning, he changed the combination of the empty safe and locked it again. He put the cash in a large black bag, along with some of his clothing. Then he walked across the tracks to the ferry and caught the 8:30 boat to San Francisco.

About 9 o’clock the bank called E.W. Smith, the agent in charge of the express office, to ask why the money had not arrived. Smith checked the safe and found it locked. He presumed the cash was still inside it and had no idea what had happened to his employee.

He called in a safe expert and had the safe opened. It was empty. He notified the police, who obtained a search warrant for Lister’s house. They found nothing relevant to the crime or his whereabouts. They did learn that he had a fondness for liquor and had friends in the bootlegging business. Lister had been drinking and gambling and spending a great deal of his spare time in the local poolrooms for the past two weeks.

Sheriff Keating sent telegrams to all the police departments in the area to be on the lookout for Lister and issued a wanted poster offering a $500 reward (almost $8,000 today) for information leading to his arrest and conviction. On April 12 the New York Police Department told the sheriff they had spotted a man who looked like the face on the wanted posters. They detained and questioned him. He readily admitted that he was George Lister and said he was on his way to the police station to turn himself in. They asked him about the money, and he said that he had spent every dollar. In fact, he’d had to borrow a nickel for the streetcar fare to get to the police station. They were stunned that a man could have spent $14,000 (about $240,000 today) in less than a month.

Lister said that after the robbery he went straight to a hotel in San Francisco, where he remained for several hours. When the newspaper extras came out announcing the robbery, he bought one and went back to the hotel and read it. He took a southbound stage to Pasadena, then caught a Santa Fe train for the East.

In New York he started drinking and gambling and living the high life with show girls from the cabarets on Broadway. He handed out $100 bills to the girls, waiters in the restaurants, and doormen at the hotels, “just to make them happy.” He was spending a thousand dollars a day and suddenly found himself surrounded by newfound friends.

When the money finally ran out and he couldn’t get any more bootleg whiskey, he became despondent. Lister locked himself in the kitchen of a chorus girl friend, turned on the gas, and lapsed into unconsciousness. He was found and taken to a hospital, where artificial respiration saved his life. With nothing left to live for, he decided to turn himself in.

Sheriff Keating took the train to New York to bring him back. He kept a very close watch on him during the whole trip home to make sure he didn’t try to kill himself again. Lister proudly showed the Sheriff New York newspaper clippings that called him “Thousand-a-Day” George Lister, “the Million Dollar Kid.”

Lister was lodged in the county jail in the basement of the Marin County Courthouse on Fourth Street in San Rafael. Over the door of his cell, he posted a piece of cardboard bearing the words “The Million Dollar Kid.”

At his trial on May 5, he did not hire an attorney and pleaded guilty. On May 16th, he was sentenced to a term in San Quentin prison of from one to fourteen years.

The procedure when a prisoner received an indeterminate sentence, as Lister did, was that he would be evaluated after serving one year and then a fixed term would be set. On June 13, the State Board of Prison Directors set his sentence to five years. He was eventually discharged on March 1, 1927, having served two years, nine and a half months. What he did with the rest of his life is not recorded.

Brian Crawford’s full account can be found on https://medium.com/anne-t-kent-california-room-community-newsletter/george-lister.