JAZZ AFICIONADO SHARES TUNES WITH OTHERS.

Byline: Bettie Rencoret Senior columnist

Back in the year 1697 William Congreve said ``Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast,'' and Loren Dexheimer, with his massive library of recorded sounds can prove that any day of the week.

Utilizing the more than 30,000 classics in his collection, Dexheimer has been ``soothing savage breasts'' at special events and on radio for several decades.

His recorded repertoire, however, is not his only weapon in his drive to promote good listening. Over the years he has made music himself, as leader and drummer, of Loren Dexter's Jazz Show.

When rock 'n' roll increased in popularity, he quit playing.

In 1969 he re-hired at Lockheed, after years of sporadic employment by the company, and this time remained until he retired in 1995.

In 1977 Dexheimer became general manager of Sunbeam Records and in 1979 he went on the air as a jazz and big band deejay at KOTE-FM (106.3), Lancaster.

Though radio station formats and policies have fluctuated, and programming changes have occurred throughout the years, Dexheimer's popularity with jazz fans has held the public's ear.

The dulcet tones, mellow moods and rhythmic beats which are Dexheimer's stock in trade, have attracted the attention not only of senior listeners, but also that of a growing group of younger people.

In January 2000, he will come out of retirement, pick up his drumsticks and lead a new Loren Dexter Band.

``It's a great line-up,'' said Dexheimer. ``It'll be Ray Sherman on piano; Dick Hafer and Bob Hardeway, tenor saxes; Buddy Childers, trumpet; John Leys, trombone; Dave Stone, bass; me on drums; Beverly Jensen, vocals; and Murray Ross as guest vocalist.''

This group will make its debut Jan. 24 at a jazz dinner in the Desert Inn, 44219 Sierra Highway.

``This is the first one we've planned,'' said Dexheimer. ``If it's as successful as we expect it to be, it will just be the first of many. We think it's a great way to begin a new century in anew millennium.''

Lately Dexheimer's been making converts to the world of '40s and '50s jazz on Wednesday nights in the lounge at the Desert Inn.

He thoroughly enjoys spinning the old favorites, and giving his running, expert, commentary on them, at radio station KHJ-AM, every Friday from 12:05 to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 12:05 to 3 p.m.

His philosophy is that if music is good it transcends the ages.

``Many tunes from the Roaring '20s are still around,'' he said. ``And look at how many people still love to hear Old Blue Eyes sing. On Frank Sinatra's birthday I played nothing but his songs for three hours and people loved it.''

Dexheimer was born in Springfield, Ill., and came with his parents and three sisters to Pasadena in 1942. He received almost all of his education - elementary through Pasadena City College - there in the city.

``I've always loved music but at one I really wanted to be a champion wrestler,'' he said. ``I billed myself as Delicate Dexter and I had great expectations. When I took my first body slam I decided to give that idea up.''

He started playing drums professionally at age 18, in what he termed ``a dump of a bar called the 49er Club'' in East Pasadena.

Then he got his first big opportunity when he was 19.

``I got to play a week with the Bobcats when their famous drummer, Ray Bauduc, quit after a dispute with the club owner, Mike Reilly,'' he said. ``Reilly wrote the song `The Music Goes Round and Round.'''

At 21 he played another weeklong gig with jazz vibe player Red Norvo when drummer Bill Douglas took some time off.

He was working days at Lockheed's Burbank plant, building wings for the Constellation, and playing drums at night.

Around that time he formed his own jazz quartet and their successful run at Babaro's, in Highland Park, was interrupted when he was drafted in 1957.

From 1957 to 1959 he served in the U.S. Army in Korea, Japan and Okinawa.

After he was mustered out he returned to his old routine, working day shift at Lockheed and jazz clubs at night, but that only lasted a few months before he took a layoff.

``For the next few years it was the jazz life only for me,'' he said. ``I led my own jazz group again almost all of the time. An exception was a 10 week stint I did alone with alto sax great, Earl Bostic, in the early '60s.''

The band played at the Blackhawk in San Francisco, the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach and, for three separate years, toured Southeast Asian military bases with the USO.

``On one trip we had Robert Mitchum, Raymond Burr and Dean Jones with us,'' he said.

Currently he is enjoying an uptrend in his career.

Dexheimer's Sunday afternoon show aired a talk with two of the New Modernaires. Daughters of two of the original vocal group who sang with the Paul Whiteman band, they talked about their late parents and a new album of the current quartet.

Martha Dickinson now lives in Mojave and her sister, Paula Kelly Jr., journeyed from Sherman Oaks for the broadcast. The other two members of the troupe are Bill Tracy and Alan Copeland.

From time to time Dexheimer expects to feature other entertainers live on his show.

Dexheimer has also taken on the role of production promoter for some special musical presentations to be staged at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center.

Among them is the upcoming appearance of Ray Anthony and His Big Swing Band, scheduled for 8 p.m., Jan. 8.

LANCASTER - Seniors who want to welcome the new year in early, will find a lot of kindred spirits tonight beginning at 6:30 at the 40 and Up Singles Dance and Social Club ``Almost Millennium'' dance at the Lancaster Elks Lodge.

The $8 non-member admission fee includes snacks all evening, special snacks and champagne at 11 p.m. Members will pay $5. The Lancaster Elks Lodge is at 240 E. Ave. K.

Call [phone] or 729-9430 for information.

Menus for the week at the senior life nutrition sites in Lancaster, Palmdale and Pearblossom have been announced. All meals include bread, margarine and coffee, tea or milk for the suggested donation of $2.

Monday: Chili, cornbread, peas and carrots, garden salad, orange juice, cookies.

Tuesday: Roast beef w/gravy, mashed potatoes, corn nibblets, carrot and raisin salad, banana.

Wednesday: Sweet and sour chicken, rice pilaf, green beans, coleslaw, pears.

Thursday: Swedish meatballs, parslied noodles, Normandy vegetables, marinated beets, Jello with fruit.

Friday: CLOSED. NEW YEAR'S EVE.

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Photo

PHOTO Jazz musician Loren Dexheimer shares his enthusiasm for music.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer