From the Plymouth Historical Museum website:
The life of the renowned Dr. Weldon Petz will be celebrated at the Plymouth Historical Museum with a live performance of the Michael Shirtz Quartet. Petz died April 28 at the age of 88. He began his career as a trombonist in an orchestra with Jimmy Dorsey and Johnny Long, and worked with many others such as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Durante, and Abbott & Costello. Petz even started his own orchestra, the Tommy Weldon Orchestra, which operated from 1947 to 1953. He eventually sought a career in education, but continued to focus on music, and furthered his career as a historian focusing on the presidential history of Lincoln, music, and education.The Michael Shirtz Quartet, led by Petz’s grandson, is a unique jazz ensemble that plays traditional jazz with a blend of contemporary, folk and Gospel-like textures. The quartet is based in Ohio. Shirtz has selected some of his grandfather’s favorite tunes and will provide commentary during the performance.In the late 1990s, the Museum purchased most of Petz’s vast Lincoln collection, which is permanently on display and offers insight into the life of the 16th President. Admission to the Museum and the performance are free and open to the public that evening. Light refreshments will be served.
