Feb. 14: all-star Clinicians Band in town for Valentine`s Day!

Newsletter of the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society
STJS is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of traditional jazz music.
New addr: 1030 North D Street • Sacramento, CA 95811 • (916) 444-2004 • www.sacjazz.org
VOLUME 48 • NO. 1
FEBRUARY 2016
Feb. 14: all-star Clinicians Band
in town for Valentine’s Day!
T
hanks to the 11th annual Trad. Jazz
Youth Band Festival at Sac State,
with its talented group of educators and
mentors for the next generation of trad
jazz musicians, STJS will have access
to an all-star ensemble that’s been flown
in from cities across the country. They
put on a great show each year, with lots
of laughs and upbeat music for dancing.
We truly appreciate the STJS Foundation for making it possible. Learn more
about the band (alphabetical order):
BILL DENDLE, T-bone/Guitar/Banjo
Bill began playing banjo in 1963, and by
1967 he performed at Mickie Finn’s in
San Diego as leader of the South Market
Street Jazz Band. Bill was the lead banjoist at Capone’s Warehouse in Monterey for nine years. 1977 found Bill as
an entertainment consultant, banjoist,
trombonist, bandleader and entertainer
at Florida’s Disney World, where he
opened on the Empress Lilly Showboat.
In late 1977 he revived (cont. on pg. 11)
March 13 Jazz Sunday
Moonlight Swing Big Band
This popular band takes you back to the 1930s
and ‘40s, as each performance is a livinghistory experience with emphasis on the music
of bandleader Glenn Miller, including his famous
Army Air Forces stateside service band!
2016 Sac. Music Festival info ........................2
Ad rates.............................................................2
Election Results........................................... 3,5
Elks Lodge #6 – info/directions.....................2
In Loving Memory .........................................14
In the Months Ahead ......................................2
Jazz Sunday Notes The Cricket....................6–9
Membership application..............................14
Music Lesson Awards.......................................5
Musicians from Dec. Jazz Sunday..................5
Notes From the Office Tom Duff......................2
President’s Message Dave Becker....................3
Publisher of Am Rag retires Yvonne Au.......13
Raffle Cent$ Kathy Becker.................................3
“Rent Party” bands/musicians .............10-11
TNT / Music Lesson Award info ......................3
“Jazz Sunday” info ➤ pg. 2
Jazz Sunday photos on pg. 6–7, and pg. 11
Dec. 13
Peter
Petty
Sac. Music Fest.
Get your Early Bird
Discount tickets
while they last!
$110 (Will be $125)
STJS Office
Notes From the Office
1030 N. D Street (as of Dec. 2015)
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 444-2004
FAX: 444-2060
[email protected]
www.sacjazz.org
STJS Executive Director: Tom Duff
STJS OFFICERS
President:
Vice President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Dave Becker
Dennis Speciale
Beth Scott
Dennis Grimes
Ex Officio: Steve Hammond
Past Pres.: Ron Jones
BOARD MEMBERS
MUSICIAN: Vivian Lee
Todd Morgan
Dominic Ruggieri
Zack Sapunor
Vanna Turner
NON-MUSICIAN:
Todd Bibby
Joe Cruz
Jeff Hedrick
Lyle Van Horn
The Board of Directors meet at the STJS Office at 6:00
pm on the Monday one week after the monthly Jazz
Sunday; open to the public. (Day subject to change.)
STJS FOUNDATION President: Dr. William Au
STJSF: P. O. Box 661763 • Sacramento, CA 95866
AATJ STAFF
Writing/photos/illust./coord./production:
Nancy Giffin — [email protected]
Contributors:
Yvonne Au, Kathy Becker, Tom Duff, Dave Becker, Paula
Dula, Judy Hendricks, Patti Jones, Jane Reinmuth,
and our advertisers.
Advertising (full-color):
AD DEADLINE: 15th day of prior month
AD SIZE
Full-pg.
Half-pg. Third-pg. Qtr.-pg.
Bus. card RATE
$150.
➔
$ 75.
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$ 15.
➔
VERTICAL
7.5” x 10” 3.6” x 10” 2.5” x 10” 3.6” x 4.8” –
HORIZ.
–
7.5” x 4.8”
7.5” x 3.6”
7.5” x 2.5”
3.6” x 2.3”
Ads can be sent in .PDF or .JPG format.
PUBLISHING
And All That Jazz is published monthly, except January, by the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society:
1030 N. D Street; Sacramento, CA 95811.
SUMMARY
by Tom Duff
W
e are pressing along planning the
2016 Sacramento Music Festival. Much of our talent has been booked
with more to come. We currently have
contracts with:
Tom Rigney and Flambeau, Lisa
Haley and the Zydekats, Zydeco
Flames, High Street Jazz Band, Peter
Petty, Crescent Katz, Midnight Rose
Jazz Band, Stephanie Trick and Paolo
Double Trio with Danny Coots and
Marty Eggers, Mumbo Gumbo, On
Air, Todd Morgan and the Emblems,
Beth Duncan Quintet, Fulton Street
Jazz Band, Joy and Madness, Mick
Martin and the Blues Rockers, as well
as Dave Bennett and the Memphis
Speed Kings. As one of our headliners,
we will have jazz legend Pablo Cruise!
We are working on many more as well,
and you will see those on the website:
www.sacmusicfest.com
Now for the bad news: I was notified
yesterday that the site known as “River
Front Refuge” will not be available this
year. The City of Sacramento will be
starting renovation work on the bike
path and boardwalk in Old Sacramento
and will be using this area for equipment
staging. I am in the process of looking
for another location and have some
The Sac. Trad. Jazz Society is a non-profit organization established under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code for the purpose of educating
the public and members on matters concerning
the preservation and promotion of traditional jazz
music, and the study and play of musical instruments associated with traditional jazz music.
“JAZZ SUNDAY”
Monthly “Jazz Sunday” typically occurs on the 2nd
Sunday, at ELKS #6, 6446 Riverside Blvd., Sac.,
CA 95831. This official meeting is open to all STJS
members and to the general public.
ADMISSION
Admission to “Jazz Sunday” is by donation of $8 for
members, $10 for non-members. Persons under
12 are admitted free. Youth 12-20 (members) $5,
youth 12-20 (non-members) $7.
GOLD CARD AUDITIONS
Auditions held twice a year: Mar. & Oct., morning of “Jazz Sunday.” Applications are available
from the Gold Card Coordinator, to be completed
one month before the audition. For info: 444-2004.
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STJS EXEC. DIRECTOR
<[email protected]>
other locations in mind. Rest assured,
we will have an additional location for
our music.
We are going to participate in the
St. Patricks Day Parade in Old Sacramento again this year. The parade is
March 12th at 1pm. This event is always
fun, so come out and support STJS — or
march with us if you feel like it.
This year, we will be participating
in a Barnes and Noble book fair. If
you purchase a book during the dates
of March 9th though March 12th, part
of the proceeds will go to STJS. On
March 9th, our own TNT band will
be performing from 7 to 8:30 pm at the
Barnes and Noble in Roseville.
Coming again this year is our participation in the “Big Day of Giving”
(a.k.a. Big DoG). Now in our third year,
we will have some lofty goals, so please
participate if at all possible. Last year,
the board was not involved until the very
last minute, but they will be involved
much earlier this year. I have plans to
devote a large part of the next board
meeting to “Big Day of Giving.” If you
have strong feelings about their involvement, please email [email protected]
and ask them to become involved in this
very important fundraiser. (next page)
In the Months Ahead
2nd Sunday
MUSIC from
12 noon to 5:00 pm
DIRECTIONS:
Elks Lodge #6
6446 Riverside Blvd.
Sac., CA 95831
West of I-5 at Florin Rd.
& Riverside Blvd.
Feb. 14 – TJYBF Clinicians Band, all-star musicians
including Bob Draga, the Midiri Bros., and more
Mar. 13 – Moonlight Swing Big Band, from Sacramento
43rd annual
May 27–30, 2016
Memorial Day Weekend
Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016
Notes ... (Cont.)
President’s Message
by Dave Becker
The new Big DoG website is coming very soon, and I will send
out the link to our page in a future communication.
If you did not attend the STJS Crab & Pasta Feed on Jan.
23rd, you missed an awesome event. Kathy Becker did a phenomenal job in the planning (as she does every year). This
year was tough for all crab feeds with the recent scare, but
everyone that attended came away with no side effects, and
had plenty to eat and drink.
So in closing, I would like to thank the great volunteers.
Without you, we could not do any of our events. Thank You
very much! 2
TNT Performances
Round Table Pizza
(9138 Kiefer Blvd., Sac. 95826)
Monday 6:30–8:30 pm
Feb. 29 Apr. 25 May 16
Barnes & Noble
(Roseville) 7–8:30 March 9
STJS Jazz Sunday March 13
Straw Hat March 16
Sac. Music Fest. May 27–30
Raffle Cent$
by Kathy Becker
STJS RAFFLE COORDINATOR
W
hat a great time we had at the Rent Party in January.
Attendance was a little better, but we would like to see
more members there. We rely on your attendance to keep the
Club alive. It is a fundraiser, not just our monthly meetings.
We brought in $353.00 on the Raffle.
We always appreciate our generous donators: Judy Hendricks, Warren Mufich, Julia and Dave McAfee, Beth
Scott, Igrid Wolbart, and Dominic Ruggieri.
Our big winners were: Anne Cummings, Linda Martinez, Mark Henderson, Janet Young, H. Hilbish, Mary Jane
Ruggieri, and Tom and Elza Hatais. Congrats to all.
Just a little note, the Crab and Pasta Feed was a success.
Thank you all for supporting this event. Everyone had a great
time, and we had two fabulous bands for their entertainment. 2
Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016
STJS PRESIDENT
<[email protected]>
I
h o p e everyone had an enjoyable Christmas and New
Year. What a year! I just cannot believe it went so fast. We
had a great 2015 Sacramento Music Festival with awesome
musicians and performers. Then we got notified that we had
to move the warehouse to a new location because the leasing company sold the building. We didn’t have to move very
far: 1030 N. D Street, Sacramento, CA 95811. Please make
a note of this new address. Same phone: (916) 444-2004.
I want to thank all the volunteers, especially Christy Pierson
(she was there every day working and moving items), John
Tillet (also there every day working and moving items), Mary
Edna Menezes and her family; Joe Cruz, Jeff Hedrick, Mike
Shipman, Todd Bibby, Tom Duff, Dennis Grimes, Vanna
Turner, Bob Allshouse, Lyle VanHorn and others that took
time out to help us move — thank you so much.
I would like to introduce the 2016 Officers and Board Members of the Society: Vice President Dennis Speciale; Secretary
Beth Scott; Treasurer Dennis Grimes; Board Members Todd
Bibby, Joe Cruz, Jeff Hedrick, Vivian Lee, Todd Morgan,
Dominic Ruggieri, Zack Sapunor, Vanna Turner, and Lyle
Van Horn; Past President Ron Jones, and Ex Officio Steve
Hammond of the Sac. Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The Crab & Pasta Feed on Jan. 23 was a success; it made
money, and all the comments I received said it was the best
Crab & Pasta Feed they have ever been to. Two great bands
played: Peter Petty Band and Black Tuesday Jazz Band. I
want to thank everyone that attended the fundraiser, and especially want to thank Kathy Becker for all her hard work to
make this a very successful Crab and Pasta Feed — and thanks
to all of her other volunteers.
The 11th annual Traditional Jazz Youth Band Festival
(TJYBF) takes places at Sac State on Saturday, February 13,
2016. This is an all-day event, but if you cannot make it all
day, just stop by and stay awhile because you wouldn’t believe
these young musicians — they will blow you away — some of
the groups sound better than a few professional groups that I
have heard. Then on Jazz Sunday, February 14, we will have
the 2016 TJYBF Clinicians Band with all-stars Bob Draga,
the Midiri Brothers, Greg Varlotta, Eddie Erickson, Bill
Dendle, Jason Wanner, Shelley Denny, and Ron Jones,
along with some youth bands from the TJYBF: High Altitude
Dixieland Jazz Band (Western State CO Univ.) and the Awktives (Celia Cottle, Dir.). This should be AWESOME.
Thank you for all your help and support. — Dave 2
3
STJS JAZZ CAMPS
S AC R AMEN TO T R A D I T I O N A L J A Z Z S O C I E T Y
sacjazz.org
30th Anniversary!
TEAGARDEN JAZZ CAMP
17th annual
TRAD. JAZZ CAMP
for YOUTH (ages 12-18)
for ADULTS (ages 18+)
August 1 – 7, 2016
July 24 – 29, 2016
The camps are held at Sly Park Environmental Education Center, the Sac.
County Schools Outdoor Education
facility (5600 Sly Park Road; Pollock
Pines, CA), about an hour east of
Sacramento in the beautiful foothills
of the Sierra Nevada.
Tuition for Youth Camp 2015 = $650.
Tuition for Adult Camp 2015 = $900.
.APPLY ONLINE:
http://sacjazzcamp.org/
4
Payment plans and scholarships are
available, and many jazz societies
sponsor students. Contact STJS
(916) 444-2004 to help locate a jazz
society in your area. For more information contact Bill Dendle, Camp
Director, at: [email protected]
or (916) 927-5222.
Our camp faculty (subject to change)
consists of some of the finest trad
jazz players in the country, including:
Rusty Stierstrumpet/cornet
Bria Skonbergtrumpet/cornet
Anita Thomas clarinet and sax
Terry Myers clarinet and sax
Greg Varlottatrombone
Curtis Brenglepiano
Jason Wannerpiano
Ed Metz, Jr.drums
Nahum Zdybel guitar and banjo
Howard Alden guitar and banjo
Matt Perrine bass and tuba
Shelley Burnsvocals
Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016
Election Results
Dec. 13, 2015
T
hank you to all the STJS members who voted, and thank you to all
the STJS members who ran for office this year.
Beth Scott was elected as Secretary. Musician Members Zack
Sapunor, Dominic Ruggieri and Todd Morgan were elected.
Non-Musician Members Lyle Van Horn and Jeff Hedrick were
elected.
A special thanks to the Poll Workers: Felix Smith, Beth
Smith, Geri Ross, Mary Stewart, Dick Pryor and Larry Frantzen, for their hard work.
Music Lesson Awards
by Patti Jones
STJS EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIR
17 students receive free private music lessons
O
n Jan. 10, STJS awarded certificates worth $300 each in
..private music lessons to 17 local students. The Music
Lessons Award (MLA) program of STJS is administered by
the STJS Education Committee and funded through the STJS
Foundation. MLA Committee Chair Elinor Hackett presented the awards on stage at the January STJS Jazz Sunday
(which was the 18th annual “Rent Party”).
The 2015-16 MLA recipients were selected from 24 applicants, each of whom submitted an application, brief bio, and
note of recommendation from their teacher. Award recipients
have until the end of 2016 to redeem their certificates. See
page 11 for photo of nine recipients. Awards were presented to:
Casey Bruce, age 10, trombone
Devon Hernandez, age 11, trumpet/bass
Freda Garrett, age 12, clarinet
Sara Haley, age 12, Bari/trombone
Breanna Haley, age 12, flute
Annette Griffin, age 13, saxophone
Jaelin Johnson, age 13, trumpet
Michelle Kamyshin, age 13, clarinet
Da’Von Stallings, age 13, clarinet
Aloni Whiteman, age 13, trumpet
Jason Wilson, age 13, clarinet/bass clarinet
Zoe Devine, age 14, trumpet
Brian Ross, Jr., age 14, trumpet
Kelsey Smith, age 14, vocals, teumpet
Breanna Bell, age 15, saxophone
Ray Freeman, age 15, saxophone
Evan Hughes, age 15, saxophone
Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016
Stained Glass Artistry
Supports “Up Close”
A
melding of jazz and stained glass artistry supports the
“Up Close and Personal” fundraiser for the Trad Jazz
Youth Band Festival (TJYBF). For the second year in a row,
Granite Bay jazz supporter Ron Muth was the highest bidder
for Vern Delk’s stained glass panel at the December fundraiser
concert. Delk became inspired by a poster for the Sun Valley
festival. This gave him the idea of depicting a jazz musician,
shown in an abstract manner. The first one artwork was of a
saxophone player (2010), and the most recent project (2014),
which Vern generously donated in support of the 2016 TJYBF,
features another saxophone player wearing a red-banded
fedora. It is one of 50 panels in Vern’s jazz series. For his
donations, we express our gratitude, and personally wish Vern
the very best, as he is undergoing extensive medical treatment.
Jazz Sunday Performers
Dec. 13, 2015
GOLD CARD ROOM
Trumpet: Jared Blum, Grady Flamm, and Bill Sharp; Trombone: Bob Gonzalez, Mike Hudson, Jack Mootz, Jay Paulus;
Reeds: Dick Lockwood, Arthur Eriksson, Gene Mondro,
Dominic Ruggieri; Piano: Ken Meyers, Frank Lindskoog,
Carl Kaiser, Todd Morgan; Strings: Mark Kramer, David
Metz, Jan Buhlert; Bass/Tuba: Dave Rees, Alan Ginter, Bill
Hoffman, Ray Farley; Drums: Jack Scott, Jim Laveroni, Jim
Roberson, Carl Warmdahl; Vocalists: Paula Dula, Bev Ludlow
Anderson, Vanna Turner, Gwenetta Brooks, Larry Sikorski,
Claude Purcell, Geri Eckert, Harry DuVall, Alan Ginter, Jackie
Clauson, Jeanette Hall, Julie Gallaher, Edd Burhans, Clint
Ritchie, Todd Morgan, Tressa Dahlberg, Dan Lee, Kate Rees.
Paula Dula, Gold Card Room Director
TAILGATE ROOM
Welcome to newcomer Jenna Eckard. She was joined by:
Trumpet: Grady Flamm, Jared Blum, Jenna Eckard; Trombone:
Bob Gonzalez, Jack Mootz, Larry Tyrell; Reeds: Dick Lockwood, Arthur Eriksson, Nancy Kreis, Gene Mondro; Piano:
BillChiechi, Carl Kaiser, Frank Lindskoog, Augie Eriksson, Pat
Blucher; Guitar/Banjo: Jimmy Spero, Dave Metz, Ned Poffinbarger, Jan Buhlert; Bass/Tuba: Bill Hoffman, Dave Sieber,
Mike Melnikov; Drums: Greg Ayala, Bill Cheichi, Bill Chamberlain, David Rees, Garrett Frazier; Rich Kreis; Vocalists:
Claude Purcell, Bev Ludlow-Anderson, Bill Relffy, Dan Lee.
Jane Reinmuth, Edd Burhans, Bev Ludlow – Co-Directors
Grady Flamm, Garrett Frazier – Assistants
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Jazz Sunday Notes
By “The Cricket”
[who is NOT the AATJ editor]
LOWER ADMISSION at Jazz Sundays! $8 / $10
I am sorry to start with wrenching news, but some of you may
not have heard that we lost both Jim Fusaro and Bev Gunter in
the last two months—dreadful losses for our Jazz family. Bev had
been failing for several years, while Jim sang at the November
Jazz Sunday. Both made huge contributions to STJS over the
years. Bev was proud of being “The Parking B*tch.” Jim was
pretty much the face of the Jubilee, having been the drum major for
the Parade for several years. We are very, very sad at the passing
of each of them. Condolences to their families and loved ones.
T
December 13, 2016
Peter Petty & His Titans of Terpsichore
he December “dance” had the best turnout in many months,
thanks in large part to Peter Petty, a non-stop energy machine.
He went above and beyond his contract, and brought His [14-piece]
Titans of Terpsichore, which includes STJS Members Dave Johnson, Justin Au, Brandon Au, Otis Morning, Bonnie Otto, Alan
Parks and (newly-elected STJS Board Member) Zack Sapunor.
And Byron Colborn is a beneficiary of our youth jazz education programs (years ago). The ones we didn’t know before were
Adrian Coulson, Arlyn Anderson, Peter Philis, Sasha Tkacheff
and Dana Moret. (Mick Martin fans know Dana as a previous
vocalist for the Blues Rockers.) Petty frequently channels Cab Calloway, but he can also throw in “I’m An Old Cowhand” or “Viper’s
Drag” or “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” He was a blast!
Dancers Stacey and Mike said they love Peter Petty, and the
band matches his skill level. They thought our expanded dance
floor was smooth and clean, and a nice size. Check it out!
The New Traditionalists (TNT) started the Main Stage – Olivia
Flournoy, Jerod Eastlick, Christine Chapa, Breanna Rodgers,
Gabriel Carpenter, Parker Weis and Gabriel Anuszczyk, led
by TNT alumni Nolan Cyr. Nolan and Parker had fun exchanging
verbal barbs. [We’ve taught them more than just music.]
MC Barbara Paulus read a lovely tribute to Boy Singer Jim
Fusaro before turning the stage over to Charlie Gehlbach. Since
it wasn’t completely Jay Paulus Society Band OR Dr. Bach and
the Jazz Practitioners, Gehlbach came up with a sort of goofy
name for his Set 3 jam – The Swinger Dingers. Besides Charlie
and Jay, it had Parker Weis, Jim Elsaas, Jerry Lopes, Bill Chiechi and Angela Elsaas. “Am I Blue?” is one of moi’s favorite
songs, thinking back to Rita Coolidge’s version in the ‘70’s.
Dec. 13, 2015
PETER
PETTY
and His Titans
of Terpsichore
Peter Petty’s
parents, Jack & Carolyn
6
Dana
Moret
Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016
We apologize for the scheduling goof that gave us a shorter than
usual day. Rats, just when we were having so much fun. We were
able to stretch just a little by announcing the Election Results, followed by the Raffle, with Kathy Becker’s fun gift-wrapped prizes.
Apparently it takes an election to get Geri Ross out to Jazz. She
was one of our poll workers, and has done many other jobs over the
years. Come to think of it, the same can be said of Mary and Dick,
and Larry, and the Smiths. Volunteers now and forever!
TG 3 was Blum, Jack Mootz, Gene Mondro, Frank
Lindskoog, Dave Metz, David Rees and Bill Chamberlain. TG
Assistants Grady Flamm and Garrett Frazier were on TG 4,
with Gonzalez, Arthur and Augie Eriksson, Jan Buhlert and
Mike Melnikov. Dan Lee was the vocalist.
Sandi Redenbach and her husband Ken Gelatt are good
friends of Pat and Bob Gonzalez. Sandi was their daughter’s high
school teacher. And at Jazz they ran into a dear friend from 30
years ago, Carol Fusaro!
By all reports, TG 5 was one of the best sets of the day, with
first-timer Jenna Eckhard on trumpet, Larry Tyrell on trombone, Mondro and Nancy Kreis as dual reeds, Pat Blucher
(I’m reminded he was seriously ill around this time last year), and
Sieber. And – wait for it – Rich Kreis on drums. Rich is the patriarch of the Kreis Family Circus – but I somehow missed the fact
that he’s an actual musician. What a pleasant surprise! Anderson
and Lee were the vocalists.
Linda Martinez was prancing around in a tricked-out reindeer
antler headdress she found at Rite Aid. Did you see what I did
there? Reindeer. Prancing. Prancer. Right? Get it? Should I fire
my gag writer?
Speaking of the Kreises, Jeff startled his friends with a “legitimate 1940’s military cut.” He offered to let me touch it. (And
Nolan Cyr followed suit with the same style in January. Is this the
new thing?)
Let’s repair to the Tailgate. Set 1 was a combo, with Bill Chiechi on piano, Jimmy Spero on guitar, Bill Hoffman on bass and
Greg Ayala on drums. Claude Purcell and Bill Relffy were the
vocalists. And then Chiechi moved to drums for Set 2, with Jared
Blum, Bob Gonzalez, Dick Lockwood, Ned Poffinbarger, Dave
Sieber and Carl Kaiser. Bev and Poffinbarger were the vocalists.
Arthur Eriksson joined Rich Lockwood as the reed section
for Set 1 in the Gold Card Room. They joined Blum, Mootz,
Kaiser, Metz, Rees and Jack Scott. And Grady Flamm was
the trumpet player for GCR Set 2, and Mootz/Paulus, Eriksson/
Mondro, Lindskoot, Hoffman and Jim Laveroni. Dave Reitz
was missing from the Vocal Set back-up (continued on page 8)
TNT - The New Traditionalists
Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016
7
(cont. from page 7) band, but Ken Meyers, Alan Ginter and Jim
Roberson did their usual excellent job.
` Bill Sharp lead both Set 4 and Set 5, with Carl Kaiser on piano
on both. Set 4 had Gonzalez and Lockwood, with Mark Kramer,
Ray Farley, Carl Warmdahl and Geri Eckert. Set 5 had Mike
Hudson, Dominic Ruggieri, Buhlert, Ginter and Laveroni.
Elks Chaplain Deborah Fairly said her husband, Thomas, just
ended a lengthy hospital stay due to esophageal avulsion – very,
very serious. We’re glad he’s back at Jazz (enjoying Peter Petty).
Organist Dave Moreno was on hand with flyers for Harmony
Winelands’ silent movie night, featuring Moreno on organs, with
Matias Bombal. And after that comes January Jazz Sunday.
18th annual RENT PARTY
January 10, 2016
It was the annual Rent Party, so the bands are listed elsewhere
(along with lots of lovely pictures). I assure you, each and every
band was marvelous. We especially appreciated Thomas Banuelos bringing Dixie Dominus all the way from Fremont Christian
H.S. for the first Tailgate Set.
And then another of those pesky scheduling goofs almost threw
us off our pins. Celia Cottle was accidentally given the wrong
performance time, so we had no band for the second set. But wait!
Veteran organizers to the rescue – Jill Harper and Dick Lockwood grabbed Nancy Kreis and Larry Tyrell, Chris Williams,
Grady Flamm and Thomas Monce, and voilà – a legitimate Jam
Band. And then, the kindest thing – Syncopating Sea-Monkeys
and River City Swingers I scrunched up and gave up half of their
set so the Awktives could have a chance to play when they arrived.
River City Swingers II and TNT finished up the Tailgate schedule. As with every Rent Party, the audience in the Tailgate was
bigger and more enthusiastic than the other two rooms together.
Or at least it seemed that way.
MC Ken McMurray introduced the Crescent Katz for Set 1
on the Main Stage. Sister Swing followed, and then Black Tuesday, Dr. Bach and the Jazz Practitioners, and Midnight Rose
Jazz Band. Dannie Balser is so talented on trumpet and vocals,
it is only us really old-timers who remember that she started out as
a (really good) ragtime pianist.
Dominic Ruggieri, leader of Black Tuesday, was ALSO the
leader of Bechet’s Fantasy Band, therefore requiring a little
squirming around with that Main Stage/Gold Card schedule. The
cross pollination between Dr. Bach and Jay Paulus Society Band
also had to be accommodated. Seldom Herd, Hot City and Todd
8
Morgan and His Jazz Band had stand-alone personnel, thank
you very much! In fact, Todd Morgan’s combo of Nolan Cyr,
Parker Weis and Jim Laveroni, was fabulous! (Carol Laveroni
was expressing some admiration that Jim managed to keep up with
the young guys!)
The Bechet Fantasy Band, though, was top of the hill, in my
opinion. Just wonderful. Lyrical. Exciting. “Bagatelle.” “Sidney’s Wedding Day.” Just WoW. I heard on NPR the other morning that the reason time seems to fly by faster as you get older is
not because each year is a smaller fraction of your life (as I had
always heard) but because there are fewer new experiences in your
life, leading to boredom. Well, if you’re an STJS member/jazz fan,
there is ALWAYS something new in your life!
There was a little mix up in the Gold Card Room, too. When
it came time to start the music, we discovered that the piano keyboard was still locked, and both copies of the key were elsewhere.
Sound Tech Norm Echols has one of the copies, but he is still
banned from work for a few weeks longer, so he didn’t have it
on him, although we were otherwise thrilled that he was there.
Lock-picking skills were solicited but the key showed up before
any damage was done. Apologies to Parmys Weinberg. She got
to play a tambourine for a couple of numbers.
Speaking of Sound Techs, Brady Harris was on Winter Break
from Chico State, and showed up at 8:00 a.m. to help set up equipment. Ya’ gotta love him.
Elk Dana Schilling was looking for a band for a February
dance at the Elks. Towards the end of the afternoon, she said
it definitely would be one of the GCR bands. Lots of talent to
pick from. Speaking of talent, Elinor Hackett presented Music
Lesson Awards mid-afternoon. Tawonna and Robert Johnson
were there to see son Jaelin receive his award. He plays trumpet,
drums and flute. Former TNT member and music award winner,
and Jazz Camper Anthony Coleman II was there in support.
Anthony brought his Afrobeat band, Sankofa, to the 2011 Jubilee.
I knew Graham and Charlyn Connor were longtime members of STJS; I DIDN’T know how rich their history is. They
started back when Tom Wallace first gathered up “The Clarksburg
Crew.” They worked at Bacchus Theatre, Tootsie’s, Hotel Enterprise, Old Sac Club, Annabelle’s, Alvernaz Attic, L Street Rendezvous, the Bistro, Firehouse Lot. Somewhere in there they became
Site Managers, and finally they worked behind the scenes at the
office. Many hats over the years.
Speaking of hats: The STJS Street Band used to have some
really spiffy uniforms for events, including the parade. DO YOU
HAVE THOSE UNIFORMS? ESPECIALLY THE HATS? Or do
you have a clue who DOES have them? We’ve lost track over the
years but NEED them (for a secret project). Call Judy Hendricks
at 916.641.5781. Any assistance appreciated.
(Cont. on pg. 9)
Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016
(Continued from pg. 8) Barbara Rasmusson reported she
spent Christmas in Oregon with her son and grandson.
Congratulations are in order for Rio Americano High School’s
Mingus Combo, one of only three high school bands nationwide
chosen to participate in this year’s Charles Mingus Festival. Rio
scored big at the Folsom Jazz Festival recently, too. Also, congrats
to Duncan McElman, who was awarded a $1,000 scholarship to
the Stanford Summer Jazz program. Further congrats to Parker
Weis, Valentina Makovey, Timothy Voet for their awards. (I’m
probably missing others. Apologies.) Well done, all!
We had dogs, big and small. Phoebe Rector fit nicely into the
bend of Becky Rector’s elbow, while Barkley Maihack is larger
than some of the Youth musicians. Carol Fusaro was dog-sitting
Barkley while Jim and Wendy Maihack were cruising the Caribbean with Bob Schulz’ Frisco Jazz Band. Wendy said they ate a
LOT, but didn’t gain any weight. (I’ll have what she’s having!)
They were back in time to attend Jim Fusaro’s celebration of
life. Pat Yankee sang with Bob Schulz, Scott Anthony and Bob
Ringwald to honor Jim. Miss Delta was dancing. Stan Mark
came down from Oregon to pay tribute. Jim’s grandson, Anthony
James Fusaro, is also from Oregon, plays bass, and put together
a lovely slide presentation. Max Weis videotaped everyone’s
remembrances. Paige Morrow helped Carol put together a really
heartwarming afternoon.
Kathy Becker helmed the 10th annual Crab & Pasta Feed,
with Peter Petty, and Black Tuesday for dancing. Petty performed an amusing ditty named “Bald Spot,” which he wrote. He
brought a smaller group, but really throws himself into the performance. Many thanks to Nanette Hall and 10 young people from
the California Conservation Corps. They worked hard, from
set-up right through clean-up. Some bought raffle tickets and one,
Braiden Massao from Center Unified in Antelope, rediscovered
his ballroom dancing skills!
Tom Duff undoubtedly mentions these two items in his column,
so this is just back-up or reinforcement. From March 9 through
March 12, mention Bookfair ID# 11807286 when you make any
purchase at a Barnes & Noble store (or online at www.bn.com)
and a percentage will go to STJS. TNT will be playing at the
Creekside Town Ctr. Barnes & Noble in Roseville on March 9.
Krista Penney is in charge of Instrument Security/Storage at
the Trad Jazz Youth Band Festival on Feb. 13th. On Jan. 14, 2016,
Krista and husband Ryan Brown brought Wesley Elliot Brown
into the world. If Krista can make it to TJYBF, by golly, you should
be able to! Plus, you get to hear Wycliffe Gordon! See you soon.
Dr. Steve Roach, our TJYBF Director, will be performing
on Mon., Feb. 29, at Hilton-Arden, with Mike “Frank Sinatra”
Martis, Alan Ginter, and Dave Chan Louie. 6:30-9:00 (Harvard Grille, 2200 Harvard St.) 2
Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016
Clinicians Band (cont.)
the South Market Street Jazz Band. From 1982 to 1995, Bill
appeared as one-half of the duo called Goodtime Banjos. Bill
is currently director of two trad jazz camp programs and is the
lead clinician in the STJS Traditional Jazz Project. He plays
trombone, guitar and banjo in Shelley Burns & Avalon Swing,
and with Fast Eddie Erickson. Bill has performed with Bob
Haggart, Bob Crosby, Johnny Varro, Dick Cary, Abe Most,
Nick Fatool, Bob Draga and others. He retired two years ago
as Vice-Principal at Lindbergh Ed. Center in Manteca, Ca, and
will become the curriculum director and banjo/guitar instructor at Camp Hoagy in Elkhart, Indiana this June 15-22.
SHELLEY DENNY — Bass
Shelley Denny is a free-lance trombonist and bass player with
broad experience as both a performer and a teacher. His playing credits include Stan Kenton, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Wilson, and The Supremes, plus thirty years with
the Sacramento Music Circus. He has taught music theory, ear
training, and jazz improvisation at Sacramento State University, coached lower brass at University of the Pacific, Stockton,
and offered private instruction for over thirty-five years.
BOB DRAGA — Clarinet
TJYBF Guest Clinician in 2006
Bob’s professional career encompasses over thirty-five years
of live performances (national and int’l) at jazz festivals, jazz
cruises, and personal engagements. Bob performs exclusively
on the “high seas” for Jazzdagen Cruises, sailing throughout
the world. Previously part of the Titan Hot 7. Since leaving
the Garden Avenue Seven, a band he founded and led for twenty-two years, Bob has led several all-star bands, was co-leader
of the Draga-Vax Connection for three years, and has worked
frequently with Johnny Varro, Tom Saunders, Rick Fay, Bob
Haggart, and other world-class jazz performers, and has many
recordings to his credit. In addition to playing superb clarinet,
Bob presents an almost wicked brand of humor, making him
one of the busiest musicians on the trad jazz circuit today.
EDDIE ERICKSON — Banjo/Guitar/Vocals
TJYBF Guest Clinician in 2008
Eddie Erickson began his banjo/guitar career in the mid-‘60s
working at Capone’s Warehouse on Cannery Row. From there,
Ed went to Disney World and Disneyland, where he was featured in the “Class of ‘27” show at the Diamond and Golden
Horseshoes, and starred in the Banjo Kings. He has been a
featured performer, and appeared with Jackie Coon, Rick Fay,
Dave Frishberg, Johnny Varro, and others. From 1978 to 1983,
Eddie led the “Riverboat Rascals” show band onboard Disney’s Empress Lilly Showboat. Eddie (continued on page 12)
9
Dr. Bach and the
Jazz Practitioners
18th annual
STJS
Jan. 13, 2016
MAIN
S TAGE
________________________
Crescent Katz
Brandon Au, leader,
trombone, euphonium
Jeff Kreis, trumpet
Greg Sabin, bnj/gtr, vocals
Priscilla Ornelas, tuba
Patrick Skiffington, washboard,
kazoos, vocals
Sister Swing
Valerie Marston, vocals
Paula Chafey-Merrill, vocals
Leigh Hannah, vocals
Dave Johnson, trumpet
Bob Williams, trombone
Otis Mourning, reeds
Steve Wall, guitar
Alan Parks, bass
Ron Jones, drums
Black Tuesday Jazz Band
Dominic Ruggieri, leader, reeds
Dave Johnson, trumpet,
flugel horn, vocal
Mike Hudson, trombone
Jan Buhlert, plectrum gtr/bnj
Alan Shaw, piano
Alan Ginter, bass
Jim Laveroni, drums, bongos
Suzanne Wiggins, vocals
10
Charlie Gehlbach, leader,
trumpet
Jay Paulus, trombone
Norm Gary, reeds
Carl Kaiser, piano
Jim Elsaas, banjo/guitar, vocals
Jim Roberson, drums
Angela Elsaas, vocals
Midnight Rose Jazz Band
Dannie Balser, trumpet,
vocals, leader
Nancy Kreis, clarinet
Carl Warmdahl, drums
Jan Buhlert, banjo
Tim Kreis, saxophone
Jeff Kreis, trombone, vocals
Bonnie Otto, piano
Reuben Smith, tuba
GOL
D C A RD ROOM
________________________
Jay Paulus’ Society Band
Jay Paulus, trombone, leader
Barbara Paulus, co-leader,
vocals
Charlie Gehlbach, trumpet
Charlie Hull, reeds
Parmys Weinberg, piano
David Rees, bass
Ray Rector, drums
Kate Rees, vocals
Bechet’s Fantasy Band
Dominic Ruggieri, co-leader,
reeds
Bill Sharp, co-leader, trumpet,
valve trombone, vocals
Jan Buhlert, plectrum guitar,
banjo
Alan Shaw, piano
Alan Ginter, bass
Jim Laveroni, drums, bongos
Seldom Herd Band
Awktives
Charlie Gelbach, trumpet
Chris Williams, trumpet
Bob Gonazalez, trombone
Dick Lockwood, reeds
Jimmy Spero, guitar, vocals
Carl Kaiser, piano, vocals
Ray Farley, bass
Carl Warmdahl, drums
Geri Eckert, vocals
Jessica Block, trumpet
Jacob Comingore, trumpet
Evan Belks, trumpet
Jesse Brandt, trombone
Jack Premzic, trombone
MacRae Dudman, clarinet
Isabel Montesanto, tenor sax
Tioga Benner, piano
Jake Gooding, bass
Andrew Leavitt, drums
Hot City
River City Swingers I
Zack Sapunor, leader,
string bass, vocals
Jeff Kreis, trumpet
Mark Curry, clarinet, sax
Bill Dendle, guitar, banjo
Grady Flamm, trumpet
Thomas Monce, trombone
Sophie Modar, clarinet
Arthur Eriksson, alto sax
Montana Monce, piano
Maya Monce, sousaphone
Joseph Bly, drums
Kelsey Smith, vocals
Todd Morgan Jazz Band
Nolan Cyr, trumpet
Parker Weis, clarinet
Jim Laveroni, drums
River City Swingers II
TAILGAT
E ROOM
________________________
Dixie Dominus
Lydia Porter, trumpet
Karen Cruz, trombone
Michelle Boutell, trombone
Stephanie Wu, clarinet
Wallace Lee, clarinet, alto
Calvin Manesh, tenor sax
Carlo Cardenas, baritone sax
Vince Argonza, banjo
Annie Hsu, piano
Rebekah Handran, drums
Danny Rohwedder, tuba
Nick Leong, bass
Kaitlyn Weins, vocals
Bryce Hansen, trumpet
Grayson Cliff, trombone
Caelin Such, clarinet
Steven Bondaruck, tenor Sax
Mary Bongo, banjo
Jake Nalangan,piano
Ryan Loanidis, bass
Garrett Frazier, drums
Lisa Doubek-Kraft, vocals
TNT
Eric Treadwell, trumpet
Olivia Flournoy, trombone
Parker Weis, clarinet
Jerod Eastlick, sax
Breanna Rodgers, banjo
Christine Chapa, piano
Gabriel Anuszczyk, bass
Gabriel Carpenter, drums
Syncopating Sea Monkeys
Spencer Nyberg, tpt/tbn
Ray Freeman, reeds
Paige Burks, Michael Colbert
Ashley Davis, Zoe Devine
Casey Hamby, Abigail Luft
EJ Monjaras, Kaleb Meisinger
Jojo Reyes Soria, Brian Ross
Will Chan, guitar
Ishmael Morales, drums
Alicia Lopez, vocals
Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016
Music Lesson Award winners
Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016
11
Clinicians Band (cont.)
has been featured with Big Mama Sue at festivals, fairs, and the
Sancy Snow Jazz Festival in France. Also a vocalist, Eddie has
joined forces with Rebecca Kilgore and Dan Barrett to form
Rebecca Kilgore Quartet, popular at jazz festivals throughout
the country. Eddie is a respected and beloved member of the
jazz fraternity, and one of the funniest performers on the scene.
RON JONES — Drums
After Ron retired from playing drums with the US Air Force
show bands for many years, he backed up such prime time
entertainers as Frankie Laine, Kay Starr, the Ink Spots, and
Diahann Carroll. Since he moved to Sacramento in the early
1980s, he’s played with many top West Coast jazz bands. A
member of the Youth Band Festival committee and immediate
Past President of the STJS board of directors, Ron is a very
popular drummer on the national jazz festival circuit and performs with Sister Swing and the Draga Quartet. Ron and the
TJYBF Clinicians Band were selected from a highly competitive, field of applicants to present a performance at the first
West Coast convention of the national JEN (Jazz Education
Network) last year in San Diego. He performs regularly with
the Bob Draga Quartet at trad festivals.
MIDIRI BROTHERS
JOE MIDIRI: Reeds — TJYBF Guest Clinician in 2014
PAUL MIDIRI : Vibes/Trombone
The Midiri Brothers have made music, both jazz and classical,
the focus of their lives since graduating Glassboro State College. On recordings, they can be heard leading groups ranging
from trios, quintets, sextets and big bands – all featuring Joe’s
outstanding clarinet and saxophones, and Paul on the vibraphone, xylophone, marimba, drums and trombone! After nearly
a decade working in Philadelphia, New York and Atlantic City,
they began to branch out and perform at jazz festivals across
the country, and for many jazz clubs from Chicago to Florida.
In their home state of N.J., they play concerts and dances. Two
of the most popular concert venues, both run by their good
friend and supporter Bruce Gast, are the Bickford Theater in
Morristown, N.J. and Ocean County College. The Golden Inn
in Avalon, N.J. has featured the Midiri Brothers Big Band as
part of their Big Band Get Away weekend package for nearly
a decade. The big band features many of the arrangements of
Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and the Dorsey Brothers as well
as many of their own arrangements. The diversity of the Midiri
Brothers can be heard on their many recordings, notably: Trees,
A Shaw Thing, In The Garden, and Finger Bustin’. Recently,
they have recorded two CDs with the Brooks Tegler Orchestra
and one with Harry Salotti.
GREG VARLOTTA — Trumpet/Trombone
Greg Varlotta began studying trumpet under his fathers direction in Lockport, Illinois at the age of 5 and received his music
degree in trumpet performance from Arizona State University
in 1985. He has performed with numerous symphony orchestras, brass quintets, jazz ensembles, and is the recipient of the
prestigious Arion Trumpet Award. In addition to his accomplishments on trumpet and trombone, this multi-talented performer also enjoys singing, tap dancing, and has a strong interest in music technology, working with computers, programming synthesizers, composing and arranging music.
JASON WANNER — Piano
TJYBF Guest Clinician in 2010
In younger days, Jason’s dad used to bring him to the Sac. Jazz
Jubilee, where his love for jazz grew. As a Music Award recipient, he played for TNT, the STJS-sponsored youth band. Jason
went from being a student at the STJS Jazz Camp to earning
his place as an instructor there. Jason performs regularly with
Blue Street, appears every so often with Sister Swing and is
a frequent guest artist at jazz festivals. He enjoys composing
and arranging for a variety of shows, films, and recordings,
and performing with at trad festivals across the country, as a
guest artist and as a member of various bands, including the
Bob Draga Quartet. Jason studied music for one year at USC
but returned north to graduate from the CSUS School of Music
with a Bachelor of Music in Classical Piano Performance. In,
2011, Jason was selected as the “Musician of the Year” by
Monterey’s Jazz Bash by the Bay festival. 2
Clinicians Band from 2015 TJYBF
12
Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016
Publisher of The American Rag retires
by Yvonne Au
D
on and Cathie Jones became
caregivers for Cathie’s mother,
who moved into Don’s home office last
fall. They also celebrated Don’s 84th
birthday in January, and their retirement from The American Rag after 26
years. They sold the paper to one of
their writers, Andy Senior of New York,
where it will take on a new life as the
Syncopated Times. The new cover page
already appears on its Facebook page
with Andy’s recent post that he promises
to, “keep Don and Cathie’s work going
long into the future.”
With a long history of jazz in his
family, it is no wonder that Don eventually became the owner of the venerable
American Rag newspaper 20 years ago.
His father, James, played clarinet and
alto sax in all the bands at the two World
Fairs in SF until 1940, when World War
II broke out. Don recalled that his father
had regular gigs with various bands four
nights a week at the Sweet Ballroom
in Oakland. Local area dancers came
nightly, for fifteen years, to dance to
the tunes played from the band’s same
tune book. Don is delighted that young
Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016
TJYBF COORDINATOR
swing dancers are finding how much fun
it is to dance to what they discovered as
Hot Jazz (OKOM).
Don, like his late father, James
Donald Jones, is a man of many passions, especially for jazz. Don relates
that he, “had eleven occupations since
graduating from high school in Feb.
1950 — ten of them lasting about 3
years after which they became boring.”
At age 63 he purchased the newspaper, West Coast Rag, from jazz friend
Woody, who wanted to retire. Don
shared that he and Woody were both
jazz fans and also recovering alcoholics (with help from the AA meetings
they attended). I think having these
in common created a significant bond
between them. (Don proudly reports
that he quit drinking 28 years ago.) Don
did an internship with Woody for about
nine months before eventually taking
over the newspaper in August 1995.
Don met Cathie the following month,
and by fall she was driving to Fresno
on weekends to work on the paper with
him. After they got married, he made
her his executive editor. Don changed
the name to The American Rag, which
soon attracted East Coast readers, and
being its publisher has been his longestheld job since.
During the past 11 years as coordinator of the Trad Jazz Youth Band Festival,
I have had the distinct pleasure of getting
better acquainted with Don, and more
recently, Cathie. Along with many of
their faithful readers, I have appreciated
all that they have done to actively support jazz education in their newspaper.
On behalf of our fellow jazz volunteers and fans here in Sacramento, I’d
like to thank Don and Cathie for all the
tireless work that they have done to
promote OKOM. Cathie, in a recent
FB post, wished Andy much luck and
enjoyment with the newspaper, noting
that she and Don “had a blast over
the past 20 years,” and met many new
friends through the paper. We fondly
wish Don and Cathie an equally fulfilling retirement, and look forward to still
seeing them at some West Coast jazz
festivals. All hail the 2013 Fresno Mardi
Gras Emperors! 2
13
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society
DATE________r NEW r RENEWAL
In Loving Memory
r E-MAIL CHANGE
Name_______________________________________________
Laurie Beth Stackhouse Address_____________________________________________
August 10, 2015
City_____________________________State_____Zip _________
Phone__________________________________________________
E-mail_______________________________________________
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP includes discounts for monthly STJS
Jazz Sunday concerts, plus newsletter, And All That Jazz.
*** Note: DUES INCREASED on JULY 1st, 2013! ***
r Single $30.00 r Couple $50.00 rStudent $10.00
(ages 12–20)
r PATRON Membership $400. Includes: 2 Festival All-Events Badges,
2 programs, and your name listed in the festival program.
r I am enclosing an additional $______ for (please check one): r Sacramento Music Festival r Other STJS programs Would you like to VOLUNTEER? (Please check one.)
r Sac. Music Festival r Other STJS programs
r Both (Festival & other pgms) r I am currently a volunteer
Make CHECKS or money orders PAYABLE to STJS
or CHARGE to: m Visa m MC m Discover m AmEx
Card # ______________________________________________
Expir. date ________________ Security # on back of card __________
Larry Gene “Woody” Wasson
October 27, 2015
Carole June Retter November 11, 2015
Louis D Francis
November 19, 2015
Joan Fritzell
November 22, 2015
Peter Desalernos
December 19, 2015
Bev DeMers Gunter
January 8, 2016
Dan Hicks
February 6, 2016
MAIL TO: Membership Chair
301 N. 10th Street • Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 444-2004
www.sacjazz.org
[email protected]
THANK YOU for your support! We appreciate your membership.
Please take a moment to complete this form. Your information and opinions
will help the STJS better serve you. (Answers may be approximate.)
• How long have you been a member of STJS?_____________________________
• How far do you travel to attend monthly sessions?_________________________
• Number of monthly sessions you attended in the last 12 months______________
• Who was your favorite guest band or musician? __________________________
__________________________________________________________________
• What band or musician would you like as a guest? _____________________
________________________________________________________________
• What would you like to change about the monthly sessions? _____________
________________________________________________________________
Thank you for your help!!
14
UPDATED NOVEMBER 2014
Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016