Whenever I fear that classic and modern jazz will fade from our lives, I think of how long the classic Masters have endured. In every age there are really talented musicians and composers. Some of these in every genre will continue to live now that we have YouTube and aren't counting on radio disc jockeys to decide what we all should want to hear.Last evening I was privileged to be a part of a suburban library sponsorship of a Jazz Club. This is now starting its fourth decade.CJALL (Classic Jazz at Lincoln Library) was started by a group who listened to early recordings of New Orleans and Dixieland Jazz.They called the music they listened to, and especially themselves, the 'Mouldy Figs'. But, as with all births, Dixieland and New Orleans Jazz grew up and recently, I was engaged in a lively debate on what constituted jazz. Jazz, like love, has no specific definition. Poets, philosophers and music historians will argue over it forever.
Almost 30 years ago, each meeting had a speaker who had researched a musician, group, or something pertaining to jazz. The presentation and the recordings used to illustrate the lecture were recorded on cassettes and sold for $3 to be donated to the Friends of the Library.Eventually, only the recordings went on the cassettes to allow the whole program of music to be fitted to one cassette. As cassettes began to cede to CDs, the price went up a bit to $5 (all monies collected go to the Friends of Lincoln Library to support , primarily their annual live concert in May, free o the public.
This year the Wolverine Jazz Band headed by John Clark performed at Bemis Hall in Lincoln to a standing room only crowd. Its members are John Clark, leader and all reed instruments; Jeff Hughes, cornet and flugelhorn; Tom Boates, trombone and vocals; Jimmy Mazzey, vocals and banjo; Rick McWilliams, tuba, Ross Petot, piano; Dave Didricksen, drums.
It should not come as a surprise that our seniors who started CJALL did not have another 30 years, so many have gone beyond to sing in the Heavenly Choir.This evening it was gratifying to watch some young and middle aged couples dancing to thus music in a small space behind the audience.
Recently we have seen a rise in many local venues, Check out the site kept current by Marce .The thrill of treating your ears to live music will never be matched by the best stereo or surround system every invented.
Almost 30 years ago, each meeting had a speaker who had researched a musician, group, or something pertaining to jazz. The presentation and the recordings used to illustrate the lecture were recorded on cassettes and sold for $3 to be donated to the Friends of the Library.Eventually, only the recordings went on the cassettes to allow the whole program of music to be fitted to one cassette. As cassettes began to cede to CDs, the price went up a bit to $5 (all monies collected go to the Friends of Lincoln Library to support , primarily their annual live concert in May, free o the public.
This year the Wolverine Jazz Band headed by John Clark performed at Bemis Hall in Lincoln to a standing room only crowd. Its members are John Clark, leader and all reed instruments; Jeff Hughes, cornet and flugelhorn; Tom Boates, trombone and vocals; Jimmy Mazzey, vocals and banjo; Rick McWilliams, tuba, Ross Petot, piano; Dave Didricksen, drums.
It should not come as a surprise that our seniors who started CJALL did not have another 30 years, so many have gone beyond to sing in the Heavenly Choir.This evening it was gratifying to watch some young and middle aged couples dancing to thus music in a small space behind the audience.
Recently we have seen a rise in many local venues, Check out the site kept current by Marce .The thrill of treating your ears to live music will never be matched by the best stereo or surround system every invented.
No comments:
Post a Comment