Fairleigh Dickinson University Jazz Band at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, sometime in the last century, on a planet far far away. Photographer unknown. Right after this photo was taken, the whole thing collapsed, and everybody jumped into the ocean.
By Paul Goldfinger, editor and former frat boy and musician.
This is hard because many of you probably don’t know what I look like now much less back when. But the FDU Jazz Band had been invited to a “Fun in the Sun Festival” which included a beauty pageant and a bathing suit competition. Wowee!
They paid all our expenses, and we were housed in a hotel on the beach (behind us.) The pageant contestants in their summer clothes looked great, but we couldn’t get near them. Especially during the swimsuit part. They were hidden somewhere more secure than the Trojan Horse. And speaking of Trojans—uh, never mind.
So we had our own fun in the sun.
Musically we were a hit except for “Dixie,” a tune they wanted but we didn’t know. But it all worked out.
Anyhow, I am one of the cool dudes in the photo. It is ironic, because my ancestors built a pyramid a few thousand years ago, and here I am doing the same in the sands of South Carolina. Hint: I’m not the chubby tenor sax player holding up the structure.
Note: We had a winner in the 2016 contest to find me. Now it’s 2023, and I haven’t gotten any older (in the photo),
Addendum: That’s me, lopsided, about to cave in, with that cute guy touching my shoulder. We were both in the sax section, so it’s all in the family.
THE DIAMONDS
Pat. You are a great spotter of smiley frat boys. As for that sax player touching me, I would have preferred a cheer leader. You are a double winner. And you gave us your real name. Bravo. Please send me your address, and I will deliver a double prize. —Paul
You’re second row up, far right (smiling).
Row of three, far right, with standing gentleman touching your left shoulder