Q: I recently watched the Disneyland After Dark DVD and loved the segment with Louie Armstrong, Kid Ory, and Johnny St. Cyr. I know that Johnny was a regular musician at the park, but was Kid Ory? I’ve seen some handbills for shows he played in there, but was he a regular Disneyland cast member or just a guest musician from time to time?
Ethan, New York City, New York
A: Famed jazz trombonist Edward “Kid” Ory (1886-1973) started performing at Disneyland with Johnny St. Cyr and his Young Men from New Orleans in the September 30, 1961 Dixieland at Disneyland show. That was the show filmed for Disneyland After Dark, airing on television in 1962. Ory, while not a cast member, was fond of appearing at Disneyland and would return for a number of performances in ensuing years.
Dave Smith