Arni May, Jazz Musician / Restraunter

Arni May, Jazz Musician / Restraunter

Chronology of The Elvis Presley Shows, April 3, 1957, Ottawa Ontario.

By James Martinez

The Arni May Orchestra was hired in April, 1957 as a back-up orchestra for the touring Elvis Presley Shows, at the Ottawa Auditorium, by the Cantor family, owners of the Auditorium.
The Arni May Orchestra was integrated by 6 lead musicians who were traveling with the show. The Musical Director of the shows was Al Dvorin, who was also part of the touring group.
The Musicians Association had a rule at the time, that any out of town Bands playing in Ottawa, must have a local back-up group available to either play be present. I assume the rule was to protect the local musicians from a vast influx of out of town groups. The Auditorium was the largest venue at the time seating about 4500.

Arni played Drums with the big band as there were three acts prior to Elvis’ appearance, a tap dancer, an Irish Tenor, The Jordonaires. Elvis, being the star attraction, was introduced and it was bedlam as we played behind his own personal band, DJ Fontana, Drums, Bill Black, Bass and Scotty Moore, Guitar. After about 5 tunes, the big band left the stage and Elvis performed the rest of the show with his personal group.
Arni had the fortune of spending a good part of the day with Elvis and DJ Fontana in the dressing room. “ It was a joy spending time with both Elvis and DJ discovering that they were just ordinary guy’s at the time”, says Arni.

Arni got to meet DJ after all of these years at a revival in Vancouver and it was a great time going over their younger days with photos of them from the 50’s. Arni mentioned that DJ got a real kick out of seeing himself in 1957 as well as the rest of the band and such.
Arni tells me that it was an experience he will never forget as Elvis seemed so appreciative of the Big Band and as well, the way he was treated in Ottawa.
He said he really enjoyed Arni’s playing mainly because he enjoyed drums and loved the sound of the big band. He was most cordial throughout the two shows. Elvis was not to be seen directly after the second show as he came off of the stage and into his car and whisked away to the Beacon Arms Hotel.

Arni continued his career as a musician/bandleader being featured on CBC radio for several years as The Arni May Trio. Arni May & His Octet were then featured on CBC’s, “Jazz Canadiana” network show for several years playing Latin Jazz, which is Arni’s first love. Arni plays Drums, Conga’s & Timbales along with several percussion instruments.
The above is a chronology of basically Arni’s experience with the Elvis Presley Shows and some background leading to his career in music. His enjoyment is fundraising for several charities, namely Sunnyhill Hospital for Children, Foundation of Hope, The Linton Garner Scholarship Awards and last but not least, the “FRIENDS OF MORTY” golf classic. This is in memory of Arni’s late brother Morty, who was with Arni during the total Elvis experience in 1957.