After World War II ended, the Dixieland Jazz style was revived on college campuses in the 40’s and 50’s. An advantage of the Dixieland format for college students is that a band could perform with as few as 5 players. The band could rehearse in improvised locations and tour in a single automobile. All of the instruments were portable with the exception of the piano. An upright piano could usually be obtained at the location of the gig.

The Intensely Vigorous Jazz Band (IVJB), styled as a Dixieland band, was formed by John Dengler '48 in the spring of 1949 with members of the Class of 1951. They were active though the spring of 1951. The Intensely Vigorous Jazz Band played a combination of standards and original compositions. The lyrics on I wish I could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate and Let Me Overhaul Your Car are a hoot.

In the spring of 1952, John Dengler '48 formed a new Dixieland Band named The Roundhouse Eight.

1948-1949: John Dengler '48 - Cornet and band leader, Ad Ward '51 - Clarinet, Hal Cabot '51 - Piano, Marty Ill '51 - Trombone, Stan Bergen '51 - Drums.

1950-1951: John Dengler '48 - Cornet and band leader, Frank Chase - Clarinet, Hal Cabot '51 - Piano. Marty Ill '51 - Trombone Stan Bergen '51 - Drums Marty Grosz - Guitar Edwin "Squirrel" Ashcroft ’29 - Piano

"Jazz Band's Recording Reveals 'Intense Vigor'," The Daily Princetonian, November 19, 1949.

IVJB recorded a 78 RPM folio that was privately released in November 1949. 300 units were pressed. Notice the view of Blair Arch from the lower quad on the record label.

The IVJB released a single 78 RPM record in 1948 containing That’s a Plenty and Charleston Rag. The IVJB issued a single 10-inch 33 & 1/3 LP in 1951 titled the Intensely Vigorous Jazz Band Volume II including 8 tracks.

John Dengler recorded a 78 RPM record containing two songs from the 1949 Princeton Triangle Show including A Pril and the River and Fair Weather. Personnel included Bob Allison - piano; Bill Kroll - clarinet; Ed Tilden - drums; John Miller - bass; Bob Stranahan - vocals; and John Dengler - vibes.

John Dengler played cornet on the 33 1/3 LP containing the complete score of the 1950 Princeton Triangle Show titled Too Hot for Toddy.

The recording featured here is the vocal from "I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate."