Fall/November 2015 Rambler

JAZZ RAMBLER
Published by America’s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society • San Diego, CA • www.SDjazzfest.org
$5.00 Per Issue
Fall (November) 2015
Vol. XXXIII No. 4
Stars Galore Scheduled
For San Diego Fest #36!
The 36th Annual San Diego Jazz
Fest is proud to present one of the
most star-studded lineups in our
history!
• Internationally-acclaimed
bassist and vocalist Nicki Parrott
will lead an all-star trio with two
World Class musicians — Rossano
Sportiello on piano and Danny Coots
on drums.
• Top New York clarinetist Dan
Levinson will front a small band
which includes Molly Ryan —
Dan’s wife — one of the most
admired vocalists in the Traditional
Jazz/Swing scene.
• Clarinet virtuoso, Dave Bennett,
will lead a trio with the fantastic
pianist Paolo Alderighi and SDJF
Artistic Director Hal Smith on drums.
• Paolo Alderighi will also play in
a combo with his wife, the great
stride pianist Stephanie Trick. A
number of musical guests will
augment their four-handed
keyboard performances throughout
the Festival weekend.
• Clarinetist and saxophonist
Chloe Feoranzo will take a break
from her busy tour schedule with
Pokey LaFarge for an appearance
at SDJF, where she will play as a
guest in a variety of combinations.
• Tom Rigney and Flambeau will
fill the venues with their awardwinning, high-energy performances of Cajun-Zydeco music.
• Vocalist Dawn Lambeth, a
favorite of West Coast Jazz and
Swing fans, will sing in a trio
featuring her husband Marc
Caparone on cornet and Ray
Skjelbred on piano.
• Multi-instrumentalist Katie
Cavera, who is one of the most indemand performers on the Festival
circuit, will be heard with several
groups during the weekend. Katie
will also lead her own trio on
Thursday night to kick off the
evening’s festivities.
Besides these incredible
performers, the 2015 San Diego
Jazz Fest will feature outstanding
Traditional Jazz played by the Bob
Schulz’s Frisco Jazz Band, Yerba
continued on page 3
The Clock is Ticking!!
By Jim McNaughton
The clock is ticking! Only
approximately 25 more days until
the 36th Festival. Thanks to all of
the sponsors who have responded
and chosen their bands and
musicians as well as reserved their
hotel rooms, if needed. We have
a great line up with new and old
favorites, bands that will
accommodate both dancers and
our Swing Dance Extravaganza.
You won’t be disappointed!
For those of you who have not
yet responded, we need to have
your sponsorship by November
7, 2015 so that we can meet
printing and publication deadlines
so to ensure that you will be
recognized in our publications, on
the web page and on the
bandstand. Your support is vital
for the success of the Festival
which helps us keep the music
alive.
Becoming a sponsor is easy!
With your $300 sponsorship for
your favorite Band or Guest Artist
you receive the following benefits:
• One All-Events Badge and
Sponsor Ribbon
• Reserved Seating in all Venues
• Free Parking at the Town and
Country
ATTN: Festival
Band Sponsors
Band sponsors can pick up
their ribbons, badges, programs,
and reception invitations during
the Festival at the Badge Sales
Booth in the Atlas Lobby of the
Town & Country starting at 5pm
on Wednesday.
Bob Schulz’s Frisco Jazz Band
continued on page 9
JAZZ RAMBLER Jazz Alive
FALL (NOV.) 2015 VOL. XXXIII - NO. 4
The JAZZ RAMBLER is published quarterly for
$15 per year ($20 foreign) by America’s Finest
City Dixieland Jazz Society. Address all correspondence to P.O. Box 880387, San Diego,
CA 92168-0387.
America’s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society is
a Non-Profit 501 (c)3 organization. For information about the Society, call (619) 297-5277.
Website: www.SDjazzfest.org
Fax number (619) 297-5281. Single copy
price $5.00. Editorial contributions welcome.
Contents of Jazz Rambler are copyrighted
© (2015) by America’s Finest City Dixieland
Jazz Society and may not be reprinted
without permission. Jazz Publications and
Jazz Club Newsletters may reprint articles
provided the following credit is included:
“Reprinted from the Jazz Rambler, San
Diego, California.” The Jazz Rambler and
Society functions are funded in part by the
City of San Diego Commission for Arts and
Culture.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Bill Adams, President
Myrna Goodwin, Secretary
Gretchen Haugen, Treasurer
Ed Adams, Alice Contreras, Joe Jensen,
Curtis McKee, Ruthe Monteith, Jim
McNaughton, Bob Solsbak, Carey Thoza.
AFCDJS STAFF
Paul Daspit, Executive Director
Hal Smith, Artistic Director
Crystal Solsbak, Office Manager
RAMBLER STAFF
Editor: Jay F. Levine
Staff Writers: Paul Daspit • Myrna Goodwin
Hal Smith • Jim McNaughton
Staff Photographers: Jerry Jones, Dave
Long, Alex Matthews
Advertise in the Rambler
Advertising in the Jazz Rambler is one of
the best ways to reach a large exclusive audience
of Trad Jazz fans. With our circulation of
approximately 2,000 and an estimated readership of 3,500, you will be reaching thousands
of people who are interested in all aspects of
Traditional Jazz.
The Rambler is published quarterly. Deadlines are the 5th of the month, prior to the date
of issue. Feb. 1, May 1, Aug. 1 and Nov. 1.
Advertising Rates
Full page — $275.00
One Half page — 150.00
One Third page — 110.00
One Quarter page — 85.00
One Eighth page — 50.00
For a rate sheet, write AFCDJS, P.O.
Box 880387, San Diego, CA 92168-0387
or call (619) 297-5277.
AFCDJS is a member of:
• International Association of
Classic Jazz Festivals
• San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
• San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau
PAGE 2
— Here, There, Everywhere
(To have events included in the Jazz
Rambler or on the AFCDJS website,
submit updates by the 28th of each
month to Myrna Goodwin at
[email protected].)
DIXIE EXPRESS
Fuddruckers, Wednesdays, 6-8pm,
5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa.
Welk Resorts, “Festival under the
Lights,” 8830 Lawrence Welk Rd.
Escondido, Tuesdays 5:30-8:00pm. Dance
floor, food & drinks available. No Cover.
http://www.dixieexpressjb sandiego.com
[email protected] or (619) 561-8236
LAKESIDE JAZZ CLUB
1st Sundays (951-245-9504), Lake
Elsinore Elks Club, 33700 Mission Trail,
Wildomar, CA, 1:30-4:30 pm (Featured
band at 3pm)
Nov. 1 - Jazz Party-Pot Luck
Dec. - Dark
RAMONA SENIOR CENTER
Fridays, George Newman, Dixieland
and “oldies” piano, 11:30am-1pm.
Musicians welcome, 434 Aqua Lane,
Ramona, (619) 876-4300 X146
RAMONA TERRACE ESTATES
SAN DIEGO BANJO BAND
Dixieland to Rock & Roll, Fridays,
3-5pm, musicians welcome, (760) 3152912, 1212 “H” St. #152, Ramona
McDonald’s at El Cajon Blvd. & 54th
St. every Tuesday from 5:30-7:30pm
CJ SAMS and KATIE CAVERA
UPTOWN RHYTHM MAKERS
Check website for upcoming gigs.
www.facebook.com/URMjazz
SOUTH BAY JAZZ RAMBLERS
First Monday of each month, 6-8pm,
Grossmont Fuddruckers, 5500
Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa
REY VINOLE’S
WORKSHOP
DIXIELAND
Tuesdays, 7-9 pm, The Orchard, 4040
Hancock, San Diego (858) 581-9293.
THE SAINTS
St. Paul’s Villa Senior Facility,
2340 4th Ave., San Diego. Friday, 2:304pm, (619) 384-7574. Musicians, dancers,
listeners invited.
HIGH SOCIETY JAZZ BAND
Check the website schedule for
upcoming gigs. More info Larry (858)
277-5294. www.highsocietyjazzband.com
SUE PALMER
Check the website schedule for
upcoming gigs at www.suepalmer.com
EUPHORIA BRASS BAND
Check the website schedule at
www.euphoriabrassband.com
JAZZ ASSOCIATION OF
GREATER SAN DIEGO
Concert Schedule: www.jazz4u.org
or 760-753-0456 or 858-459-2559.
FALL (NOVEMBER) 2015
Curley’s Café, 1999 E. Willow (at
Cherry), Signal Hill, CA. Free.
Wednesdays. Best to confirm dates and
times. Info: www.katiecavera.net.
ROYALE GARDEN DIXIE BAND
1st & 3rd Mon., 7pm, El Patio
Restaurant, 1750 W. La Palma Ave.,
Anaheim. More info – 951-898-2174
CROWN
BAND
CITY
DIXIELAND
Wednesdays from 6:30-9pm, Burger
Continental Restaurant, Pasadena (626)
792-6634
BALDY MOUNTAIN SWING
1st and 3rd Thursdays, 8-10:30pm, at
The Press, 129 Harvard Ave., Claremont
Info: (909) 625-4808
SEAL BEACH, CA
Tuesdays, 6-9pm, Leisure World
Dixieland Workshop, 13550 Seal Beach
Blvd., Club House 3, rm. 8, (562) 5945722
NEW ORLEANS JAZZ CLUB
OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
3rd Sunday, 1pm. Westminster
Lanes, 6471 Westminster Ave.,
Westminster
S. BAY N. ORLEANS JAZZ CLUB
2nd Sunday, 12:30-5pm, Knights of
Columbus Hall, 214 Avenue I, Redondo
Beach. (310) 374-3174
SO CAL HOT JAZZ SOCIETY
1st Sunday. American Legion Post
335, Southgate. (323) 566-9128. 1pm
JAZZ RAMBLER
Galore . . .
Continued from front page
Buena Stompers, High Sierra Jazz
Band, Grand Dominion Jazz Band,
the 101st Army Dixie Band,
Uptown Lowdown, the Hot Cookies,
Mission Bay High School
Preservationists, Uptown Rhythm
Makers, South Bay Jazz Ramblers
and the Titanic Jazz Band.
Fans of small-band Jazz will
enjoy hearing Ray Skjelbred and
his Cubs, the Red Skunk Quartet,
Carl Sonny Leyland Trio, and the
aforementioned groups led by Nicki
Parrott, Dan Levinson, Dave
Bennett, and Alderighi-Trick. In
addition, Cornet Chop Suey, the
Heliotrope Ragtime Orchestra and
the San Fernando Valley Banjo Band
will perform their own interpretations
of Traditional Jazz and Ragtime.
The celebration will begin on
Wednesday, Nov. 25, with
continuous music played by San
Diego’s High Society Jazz Band
and Sue Palmer and her Motel
Swing Orchestra. There will be
live solo piano and small band
performances at the Thanksgiving
Buffet on Thursday afternoon,
followed with evening performances by seven groups. The
Festival will kick into high gear on
Friday, with the entire lineup of
performers playing from 10am until
11pm and on Saturday from 9am
Monthly Jazz Concerts
Sponsored by America’s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society
November 15 — Sue Palmer and her Motel Swing
December — Dark
January 17, 2016 — Hot Jazz Instructors
Lafayette Hotel & Suites
Mississippi Room • 2223 El Cajon Blvd. • San Diego
All Programs: 1-4pm • Admission-$15 • Members-$10 • Under 30 (with photo ID)-$5
PLEASE SUPPORT LIVE TRADITIONAL JAZZ!
ATTEND OUR MONTHLY CONCERT/DANCES!
Check www.sdjazzfest.org for the latest information
until midnight. On both days, early
risers will be serenaded by the
Paragon Jazz Quartet on the Lion
Fountain Court. Also, Festival
patrons are invited to join the
Euphoria Brass Band for authentic
Second Line parades, and to strut
with parasols with New Orleans
Jazz played by Dixie Express.
Throughout the day, attendees can
enjoy various combinations of reed
players in the “Clarinet Summit,”
solo piano performances at the
“Pianorama,” special theme sets
by the Festival bands, organized
jam sessions led by Dick Williams
(JazzSea Jams), dance instruction
by Hal & Georgia Myers and swing
dance instruction by Joel Plys with
Swing Dance San Diego.
On Saturday evening, Sue
Palmer, the Sweethearts of Swing
and the rockin’ Memphis Speed
Memphis Speed Kings help kick off Swing Extravagaza
JAZZ RAMBLER
FALL (NOVEMBER) 2015
Kings will play great dance music,
leading up to the Saturday night
Swing Extravaganza. Hot on the
heels of a dance exhibition by Swing
Dance San Diego, Stompy Jones
and Jonathan Stout and his Campus
Five featuring Hilary Alexander will
play continuous music, ending up
with both bands onstage and a grand
finale with the dancers.
Sunday morning is traditionally
“Hymn-a-Long” time at the San
Diego Jazz Fest, and the Night
Blooming Jazzmen will reprise one
of the Festival’s most popular sets.
The great mix of musical styles
will continue through the day,
culminating in a “Wrap-Up Jam
Session” that promises to be a
genuine all-star event!
Please plan to join us for this
outstanding collection of talented
performers; Nov. 25 - 29, 2015 at
the Town & Country Resort &
Convention Center, 500 Hotel
Circle North in San Diego. You
may order Festival badges and
make reservations at the Town &
Country using the coupon on page
5. We also encourage our patrons
to consider sponsoring a band,
individual musician or performance
venue. The information regarding
sponsorship is included on the same
coupon). All of us at America’s
Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society
hope to see you at Festival #36!
PAGE 3
Your Upcoming Concert Lineup
Sue Palmer – Nov. 15
Sue Palmer and her Motel Swing
Orchestra continue to attract
enthusiastic crowds. The band
plays blues, swing, boogie woogie
and jazz standards at clubs, park
concerts and events across San
Diego County and throughout
Southern California. Motel Swing
is one of the most popular bands in
the AFCDJS monthly concert
series and this year marks its seventh
appearance at the Thanksgiving
Festival where the band will be an
integral part of the Saturday night
“Swing Extravaganza.”
The group’s excellent mix of
tempos and a strong beat have
helped to make the band a favorite
of dancers no matter what one’s
style may be. Led by the “Queen
of Boogie Woogie” on piano, the
other Motel Swingers are April
West, trombone; Jonny Viau, tenor
sax; Steve Wilcox, guitar; Pete
Harrison, bass; Sharon Shufelt,
drums; Deejha Marie and Sharifah,
vocals. Catch the act on Nov. 15
at the Lafayette Hotel.
Hot Jazz Instructors –
Jan. 17, 2016
reeds; John Royen, piano; Katie
Cavera, banjo/guitar; Marty
Eggers, bass /tuba; and Steve
Apple, drums. Hear this firstclass ensemble and you will
understand why they were chosen
to teach at our Adult Jazz Camp!
And — if you are interested in
learning to play traditional jazz, be
sure to check out the advertisement on page 13.
Note: The Hot Jazz Instructors
will also play an introductory
concert for the Jazz Camp
Students and AFCDJS workshop
participants beginning at 7pm on
Thursday, Jan. 14 in the Mississippi
Ballroom. AFCDJS members are
welcome to attend, and admission
is free.
Point YYour
our Browser TTo:
o:
www.sdjazzfest.org
~~~~~~~~
The Official Website of
America’s Finest City
Dixieland Jazz Society
The Hot Jazz Instructors will
kick off the 2016 AFCDJS
concerts on Sunday, Jan. 17 at
1pm in the Mississippi Ballroom of
the Lafayette Hotel. This special
concert features the out-of-town
musicians who comprise the
AFCDJS Adult Jazz Camp
Faculty.
These Hot Jazz
Instructors have played with many
of the best Traditional Jazz bands
in the World.
The concert begins at the end
of the 4-day Adult Jazz Camp,
which takes place from Jan. 1417. This year’s instructors include
Clint Baker, trumpet; Howie
Miyata, trombone; Dan Levinson,
PAGE 4
FALL (NOVEMBER) 2015
JAZZ RAMBLER
JAZZ RAMBLER
FALL (NOVEMBER) 2015
PAGE 5
A Gentleman Of Trad Jazz
By Jim McNaughton
Cattle, horses, mules and music
are the life of Earl A. McKee Jr.,
a rugged, sensitive cowman who
lives in the ranch house he was
born in over 80 years ago.
Rancher/author/musician Earl
McKee is a real gentleman and he
will be playing with the High Sierra
Jazz Band at the 2015 Festival.
It will be easy to spot Earl in his
signature cowboy hat. He is a
real cowboy, and that has been
his occupation for decades. He is
still active in breeding and raising
quarter horses, cattle and mules.
The author part of Earl’s life comes
from his sought-after colorful tales
of Old Timers and history which
he recounts in the book, “Echoes
of Blossom Peak: Cowboys,
Horsemen, and History of Three
Rivers.”
The music side of Earl started
in Three Rivers, California during
high school where he sang and
Jazz on KSDS FM
Jazz Roots is heard on
Sunday evenings, 8-10 pm,
on KSDS FM (88.3 on the
dial).
The program features the
roots of jazz — ragtime, blues,
country music and more.
Jazz Roots is hosted by
Lou Curtiss, proprietor of Folk
Arts Rare Records and
founder of the San Diego Folk
Festival and the Adams
Avenue Roots Festival.
In addition, the station’s
lineup includes San Diego
Session with Sue Palmer on
Sundays, 5-6pm, Second Line
Parade with Drew Miller,
Saturdays, 7-8pm and Rug
Cutter’s Swing with Ida
Garcia, Sundays, 12-3pm
PAGE 6
learned to play several instruments. He is outstanding on
stringed instruments (bass, guitar
and violin) as well as the
sousaphone which contributes to
the unique sound of High Sierra.
He has a wide range singing voice.
I always enjoy hearing Earl sing
songs that were popular in the
’20s and ’30s such as the songs by
the old blues singer Jimmie
Rodgers. He is also at home with
ballads and love songs.
Earl was a founder of the HSJB
along with Charlie Castro, the
Huddleston brothers, Al Smith
and the late Vic Kimzey. All of
these musicians came from the
Three Rivers area. Current
members of the band are leader
Pieter Meijers (reeds), Howard
Miyata (trombone and vocals),
Marc Caparone (cornet), Bruce
Huddleston
(piano),
Stan
Huddleston (banjo), Charlie Castro
(drums) and Earl (sousaphone and
vocals).
HSJB has a long tradition with
our Festival. I hope you will make
time to listen to the band and hear
Earl McKee sing one of his popular
ballads. I know you will enjoy the
experience!
FALL (NOVEMBER) 2015
Donate Your Used
Instruments and Help
Deserving Students
Keep music alive. Pass the
torch to the next generation. Bring
used (or new) musical instruments
to the San Diego Jazz Fest and
donate them for future musicians.
The Community Council for
Music in the Schools (CCMS), a
non-profit organization, will place
the instruments with music
teachers in San Diego Unified
School District (including
elementary, middle and high
schools) for loan to students in
school music classes, bands and
orchestras who cannot afford to
buy or rent their own instruments.
All donations are tax deductible.
Festival goers are encouraged
to dig into their closets, attics,
garages or under the bed, to find
their old musical instruments —
clarinet, guitar, trumpet, sax,
trombone, violin, flute (in high
demand), cello, or even a drum kit
– that may be just collecting dust
awaiting its next musical maestro.
Donating is as easy as bringing
a musical instrument to the
AFCDJS Society Table in the Atlas
Foyer during the San Diego Jazz
Fest. At the Festival, you will
receive a receipt for the instrument
and the CCMS will mail each
contributor an official letter for
tax purposes.
If you do not have an instrument
to contribute but would like to help,
a donation of any amount can help
purchase additional needed
instruments. Make your check
payable to CCMS and bring it to
the Society Table at the Festival.
With school budgets as they are,
your unused instruments (or
contribution) will allow deserving
students to enroll in music classes.
Who knows, your trumpet may go
to the next Louis Armstrong.
JAZZ RAMBLER
Jazz Society Continues E
ducation Emphasis
Education
Mission Bay High School
Preservationists Return
The Mission Bay High School
Preservationists will be back for
the upcoming Jazz Fest, so mark
your schedules and plan to hear
these amazing, young musicians.
The MBHS music program, which
focuses on New Orleans’ jazz,
was founded by Rey Vinole in
1974. In the 1980s the MB Dixie
Jazz Band was formed in
partnership with AFCDJS, and has
performed at the SDJF ever since.
Jean Paul Balmat, an alumnus
of the MBHS music program,
assumed the baton at Mission Bay
in 2006 after graduating from
SDSU. Under his leadership, the
program continues to grow and
strive to make Mission Bay High
School the best school for
continuing America’s true musical
art form — jazz. In 2011, the
Dixie Jazz Band was transformed
into the Preservationists under the
direction of Mr. Balmat. He felt
that it was time to evolve the name
and image of the band. With this
change brought the introduction of
a new sound for the band, still
paying tribute to the traditional
jazz of New Orleans, but striving
for a sound that is unique to Mission
Bay and Southern California.
The band has been featured at
venues throughout San Diego
County and California including
Anthology, House of Blues,
Dizzy’s, Petco Park, Sea World,
Tango Del Rey, Lux Art Institute,
Ocean Beach Music and Art
Festival, and the Sacramento Jazz
Festival. In 2012 and 2014 the
band was invited to New Orleans
to perform at the New Orleans
Jazz National Historical Park and
with the one-and-only Preservation
Hall Jazz Band. This exciting,
versatile group performs early
New Orleans Jazz, blues, and
swing.
Small Band
Music Archives
AFCDJS maintains an archive
of over 2,400 small band music
arrangements, which we make
available to school and youth
bands, community, church,
start-up, and non-profit
professional music groups.
Ask about the Top Thousand
most-requested small band
music arrangements, on a DVD
disc.
Contact
AFCDJS
at
[email protected] or go to
www.sdjazzfest.org and click
“Small Band Music” at the
bottom of the page.
2016 Adult Trad
Jazz Camp
The 2016 San Diego Adult
Traditional Jazz Camp is set
for January 14-17, 2016, at
the Lafayette Hotel, 2223 El
Cajon Blvd., San Diego.
Start making your plans to
attend. See the ad on page
13 and for more information is available on our
website.
Education Donors
Dawn Club-$100
Elizabeth Drabble
Barbara Ellis
Cam Miller
Rodney Orth
Bonnie Rae Streeter
Thank You!
JAZZ RAMBLER
FALL (NOVEMBER) 2015
PAGE 7
PAGE 8
FALL (NOVEMBER) 2015
JAZZ RAMBLER
Meet the People of the AFCDJS
Meet Crystal Solsbak! Crystal
Solsbak, a San Diego native, has
attended every San Diego Jazz
Fest since 1992. She was first
pulled in by a boyfriend turned
husband. It wasn’t long before
their two kids started tagging along
and eventually working the Festival
themselves. Over the years, she’s
been involved with the Society in
different capacities. She’s helped
setup sound equipment and run
sound boards. She setup and
managed the initial website for a
time and, of course, enjoyed sitting
in the audience listening to bands.
With her husband, in-laws and
children being involved over the
years, AFCDJS truly is a family
affair.
Crystal has always enjoyed
organizing creative people. She
spent much of her life in theatre
production working for regional
and off-broadway companies on
both coasts. She later channeled
those skills to support local children
Tut . . .
Continued from page 14
Causa Jazz Band for the Riverside
label. Soper was actually a lastminute replacement for Don Ewell,
who was touring with Jack
Teagarden when the record date
was scheduled. However, Soper
added an authentic Chicago Style
flair to the band. His sparkling,
Hines-like piano is one of the
highlights of the session, as is
clarinetist
Frank
Chace’s
interpretation of Pee Wee
Russell’s sound.
Grosz called Soper for another
recording session in 1958, but —
as with many of the 1944-46
Chicago recordings — it was never
issued.
In the 1960s, Tut Soper retired
JAZZ RAMBLER
by working with the school board,
various elementary schools and
youth organizations like San Diego
Junior Theatre.
As office manager, that
translates to supporting most
aspects of the Jazz Society from
membership and badge sales to
Festival volunteers and Adult Jazz
Camp. If you mail it or order online,
it goes through Crystal first. If
you receive it in the mail, well,
that’s likely her doing, too. She
appreciates the kindness and
patience she’s received over the
last year as she gets to know the
many facets of this organization.
from full-time music and worked
as an insurance salesman for the
Chicago Motor Club. He continued
to play occasionally and appeared
in concert with bands led by Frank
Chace, among others. One of his
last public appearances was in the
early 1980s, when he performed
with an all-star band for the
International Association of Jazz
Record Collectors. He died in
Chicago in March, 1987, survived
by a son, Jesse.
Though he is not as well known
as other Earl Hines-influenced
artists such as Jess Stacy, Joe
Sullivan and Teddy Wilson, The
wild, exciting spirit and
inventiveness heard in Tut Soper’s
few recordings prove that he
belongs in the top echelon of
Chicago pianists.
FALL (NOVEMBER) 2015
Ticking . . .
Continued from front page
• Sponsors’ Reception Invitation
• Band Hospitality Room access
• Web & Program recognition
• One-Year AFCDJS membership.
You can mail your check, with
the name of the group you wish to
sponsor to: AFCDJS, POB
880387, San Diego, CA 921680387 or go to our webpage
www.SDjazzfest.org The difference between the cost of a badge
and your sponsorship is deductable
since we are a Non-profit 501(c) 3
Organization.
If you have
questions you can contact the
Society at (619) 297-5277 or Jim
McNaughton at (619) 435-0806.
AFCDJS PRESENTS
FREE 2015/16
JAZZ WORKSHOPS
(2nd Thurs. of month, 7-9 pm)
2015 Dates:
Nov. 12 • Dec. (dark)
Jan. 14, 2016 — No workshop.
However, all workshop
participants are invited to the
free concert from7-9pm at the
Mississippi Room of the
Lafayette Hotel with the Jazz
Camp Instructors!
~~~~~~~
AFCDJS-sponsored workshops are
held the second Thursday of every
month (except December) from 7 to
9pm at the San Diego Musicians
Hall, 1717 Morena Blvd., San Diego.
Requirement:
Desire to play Dixieland Jazz!
Furnished:
Drums, piano and a core
group of instructors.
~~~~~~~
ALL AGES & TALENT
LEVELS WELCOME!
~~~~~~~
(619) 297-JASS (5277)
www.SDjazzfest.org
The personnel of many of the local
Bands that have appeared at our
Festivals have been participants
in the AFCDJS free Jazz
Workshops.
PAGE 9
Special Guest Artists To Appear at Upcoming Fest
Nicki Parrott —
Bass Perfection; Vocal Magic
The extraordinary Australian bassist and vocalist
Nicki Parrott played piano and flute as a youngster,
finally switching to string bass when she was 15. Besides
studying jazz at a conservatory, she also studied with
legendary bassists Ray Brown, John Clayton and Rufus
Reid. Since moving to New York in 1994, the names of
musicians she has worked with reads like a “Who’s
Who” of the music industry. Clark Terry, Les Paul,
Warren Vaché, Jose Feliciano, Patti Labelle, Scott
Hamilton, Michel Legrand and Ken Peplowski are just a
few of the performers who are listed in her resumé.
Her sultry vocals and spot-on bass playing are, to
borrow a phrase from Duke Ellington, “beyond category.”
Nicki’s last trip to the San Diego Jazz Fest was with
the Statesmen of Jazz. Be sure to catch this talented
musician when she returns to
our Festival this November!
Molly Ryan — Fest Debut
Vocalist Molly Ryan will
make her first appearance at
the San Diego Jazz Fest this
year. Her reputation preceeds
her — and it is excellent! Wall
Street Journal music critic Will
Friedwald refers to Molly as “a
critic’s favorite” and writer
Michael Steinman has featured
Molly extensively in his Jazz
Lives blog.
Originally from Roseville,
CA, Molly moved to New York
in 2003. She has sung at the
most prestigious venues in New York, including Carnegie
Hall, Town Hall, Birdland, the Rainbow Room and the
Waldorf-Astoria. She has appeared in tributes to Jimmy
Dorsey, Benny Goodman and Mae West, recorded
seven CDs and has sung on the soundtrack of HBO’s
“Boardwalk Empire.”
At the 36th Annual San Diego Jazz Fest, Molly will
sing with Dan Levinson’s small combos. Those sets
should be on every Festival patron’s “must-hear” list!
Rossano Sportiello —
Wizard of the Piano
Pianist Rossano Sportiello describes his goal as “To
play jazz and make it understandable to everybody.
Most of all, I want to see people smiling and having fun.”
Rossano certainly fulfills those goals every time he sits
down to a keyboard. Not surprisingly, standing ovations
PAGE 10
and calls for encores are routine whenever he performs.
Originally from Italy, Rossano took up the piano at
age 9 and was a professional musician by the time he
was a teenager! He studied with jazz pianist Barry
Harris, and also learned from listening to recordings of
Fats Waller, James P. Johnson, Teddy Wilson, Ralph
Sutton, Art Tatum, Dave McKenna and others.
He has played with too many great jazz musicians to
list here, and has appeared at every jazz party of note in
the U.S. He is also highly regarded in Europe, where he
has won awards for his performances as well as his
recordings.
You will have a number of opportunities to “smile and
have fun” with Rossano during the 36th Annual San
Diego Jazz Fest!
Dan
Levinson
—
Versatile Reedman
Reedman Dan Levinson is
a welcome addition to the 36th
Annual San Diego Jazz Fest.
Based in New York, Dan leads
a variety of bands which
specialize in music from the
pre-Jazz years to the Swing
Era. He works regularly with
Vince Giordano’s Nighthawks,
and can be heard with that
group on the soundtrack to
HBO’s hit series “Boardwalk
Empire.”
Originally from Southern
California, Dan’s early mentor
was the famous jazz clarinetist
and saxophonist Rosy McHargue. He also admires
Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and earlier jazz pioneers.
Dan’s past performances include concerts at Carnegie
Hall, broadcasts of “A Prairie Home Companion” and
the soundtrack of Martin Scorsese’s film “The Aviator.”
In recent years, Dan has taught the reed class at
AFCDJS’ Adult Traditional Jazz Camp.
At the 36th Annual San Diego Jazz Fest, Dan will lead
a small combo (including his wife Molly Ryan) as well as
the “Clarinet Summit” sets. Welcome back, Dan
Levinson!
Danny Coots —
Super Drummer
Danny Coots is one of the most in-demand drummers
on the jazz scene today. In addition to his work with the
FALL (NOVEMBER) 2015
continued on page 11
JAZZ RAMBLER
Guests . . .
Continued from page 10
Titan Hot Seven, he has performed
at jazz festivals, concerts and jazz
parties from coast to coast and
cruises around the globe as an allstar percussionist.
He has played drums since 1964;
studied with several top
percussionists and attended the
Crane School of Music and St.
Lawrence University.
After a number of years touring
from his New York home, Danny
moved to Nashville. There he joined
the Jack Daniel’s Silver Cornet Band
and eventually moved on to the wildly
popular Titan Hot Seven. He has
recorded nearly 100 albums,
including a Grammy winner in 2005.
He has appeared in all-star
combinations with John Cocuzzi,
Dan Barrett, Allan Vaché, Neville
Dickie, Rebecca Kilgore, Bucky
Pizzarelli, Yve Evans and many
more.
AFCDJS is certain that Festival
patrons will enjoy hearing Danny
with the Nicki Parrott Trio and in
several
other
instrumental
combinations throughout the 36th
Annual San Diego Jazz Fest!
Fest #36 Badges Available Online!!!
When you go to our website,
you can use your credit card
(Visa/MC/AMEX)
to
purchase multi-day Festival
badges, become a sponsor,
join or renew your membership,
contribute to the education
fund or even enroll in jazz
camp.
Check it out.
www.SDjazzfest.org
Make your hotel
reservations at the
Town & Country
now to ensure a
fantastic weekend
of jazz.
Phone (800) 7728527 and ask for
the “Jazz Festival”
rates. Rooms start
at $105/night plus
tax.
JAZZ RAMBLER
FALL (NOVEMBER) 2015
PAGE 11
Musicians’ Hospitality
Room Donations Sought
AFCDJS Board member, Alice
Contreras, is soliciting donations
of snacks for the Musicians’
Hospitality Room at the 2015 San
Diego Jazz Fest. She would love
to have you bring any of the
following: muffins, Danish pastries,
cookies, crackers, candy, nuts,
chex mixes, fruit, and any other
non-perishable snack items.
Alice purchases most of these
items so whatever you can bring
or whatever cash you would care
to donate is sincerely appreciated.
She also accepts and purchases
pre-made deli trays, cheeses and
fruits. These items are provided to
the musicians in addition to the
sandwiches, soft drinks and coffee
furnished by the Town & Country.
Our greatest need is for Friday
and Saturday. Please, contact Alice
to let her know how you can help
at [email protected]. or
(619) 561-8236.
More Lessons By Swing
Dance SD with Joe Plys
FRIDAY - 10-11am
Learn the grand daddy of all the
Swing Dances — The Lindy Hop!
Swing Dance San Diego has a
great staff of teachers and will be
offering 2 LEVELS to those who
attend so ALL LEVELS are
welcome. We will quickly assess
the beginners from those more
advanced and then teach from
there!
SATURDAY - 9-10am
Get ready to keep up with the
Memphis Speed Kings on Saturday
night as Swing Dance San Diego
shares Swing Era dances perfect
for faster tempos: Charleston,
Balboa, and Collegiate Shag. Our
knowledgeable staff has the skills
to cover all of these dances with
you in one hour. Join us and be
ready for SPEED!!!!
PAGE 12
Hotel Renovation
The Town & Country Resort
came under new management last
year with plans to upgrade and
remodel the facilities. The Royal
Palm Tower will begin a floor-byfloor upgrade starting early 2016
to be completed well before
SDjazzfest 2016. Other changes
to be completed by 2018 include
Regency Tower modernization,
new restaurants, new lobby and a
water/sandy beach feature. Residential apartments will replace
some of the older low-rise
buildings on the East side. Trellises
Restaurant has been closed, but
extended hours at the Terrace
Café and Charlie’s will offset.
Future Festivals should not be
affected by construction based on
the current renovation schedule.
Meeting House (Sunrise/Sunset),
SD Jazz Fest Survey
In past years we’ve done
Festival surveys using pen and
paper resulting in a major effort to
compile the data. This year we
will be using an online survey
application which will greatly
reduce the time and effort to
extract information and which will
also allow Festival goers to take
the survey for a few weeks after
the Festival ends. Additional
information about this will be
contained in the Festival program
and available elsewhere at the
Festival.
a small venue we often use, will be
repurposed as part of the new
lobby area. We have options for a
replacement venue if needed. Allin-all, these improvements are
needed, and will put a new face on
the Town & Country Resort.
Information For Festival Volunteers
Volunteer assignments will
be mailed to you the first week
of November.
The orientation meeting for
the 2015 Festival volunteers will
be held at the T&C in Royal
Palm I and II - on Sunday, Nov.
22, 2015.
The meeting is mandatory
for all new volunteers. All
volunteers including band
hostesses are encouraged to
attend because numerous
changes will occur during this
year’s Festival.
If you are interested, it’s not
too late to be considered as a
hostess for the Festival.
If you have questions, contact
Crystal Solsbak at (619) 3163393 or email her at
[email protected].
Update Us With Your New Emails
Some of our members have updated or changed their email
addresses. We are unable to send concert notices or even the Jazz
Rambler password to those who have requested it. If you have
changed your email address within the past year, please, email the
AFCDJS Office Manager, Crystal Solsbak, with the new address
to crystal [email protected]. If you want to start receiving
the Rambler on line, you may indicate that as well. Online
subscriptions help to cut postage costs so we can use that money
for promoting “The Music.”
FALL (NOVEMBER) 2015
JAZZ RAMBLER
JAZZ RAMBLER
FALL (NOVEMBER) 2015
PAGE 13
Tut . . .
Continued from back page
became his mentor — Earl Hines.
In a 1979 interview, Soper told
author Bert Whyatt, “There was
only one jazz musician and pianist
who I heard and who taught me
mentally and spiritually about the
great conceptions and victories over
the mundane. Earl Hines not only
taught me but he taught Sullivan and
Stacy and countless others. His
rhythmic freedom, expressed so
freely and free of carnality, was
unbelievable. We heard him at his
peak, consistently great.”
He recalled going to hear Hines
with Jimmie Noone’s band at the
Apex Club “once a week, for a full
year.” Hines invited Soper to sit
in with Noone, and a few years
later the younger pianist also sat in
with Hines’ own Orchestra at the
Grand Terrace. Soper said, “He
[Hines] and I were were very close
mentally… he had me sit in with
his Grand Terrace orchestra and
he always insisted when I arrived
to stand next to him. The way the
set-up existed made this possible;
he had a small baby-grand to play.
He always insisted for me to try to
find myself in my playing and not
try to copy him nor anyone else.
He philosophised and made this
open-sesame possible for me. He
wanted me to be able to fly and not
drag my jazz. Hines could play 24
choruses and keep that marvelous
pulsation going and swing as Louie
swung the trumpet.”
Soper continued to play Hinesinfluenced piano around Chicago
with small bands, including the illfated Davison-Teschemacher
Paradise Orchestra and a
residency at the Subway Café with
a band led by Bud Jacobsen. In
the early ’30s, he worked with
Frank Snyder’s Rhythm Kings at
Harry’s New York Bar. (Some
Jazz critics believe that the Snyder
PAGE 14
band is heard on the soundtrack of
the 1932 film “Scarface” and that
doomed
clarinetist
Frank
Teschemacher may have been
present for the recording)! As the
decade wore on, Soper worked as
a soloist at a number of clubs in
Chicago such as the notorious
Three Deuces. He also accompanied then-unknown Jazz vocalist
Anita O’Day at the Vanity Fair.
During World War II, while
continuing to work as a soloist,
jazz enthusiast John Steiner invited
Soper to record for the SteinerDavis label, accompanied by the
legendary drummer Baby Dodds
(who Soper had never met). The
resulting sides are the recordings
which drew the previously-quoted
praise from George Avakian. The
ringing tremolos, trumpet-style
lines and broken rhythms clearly
show the Hines influence, but
ultimately the listener can hear
Tut Soper’s own distinct
characteristics. Earl Hines would
be proud! The recording with
Dodds led to other sessions for
Chicago-based Steiner-Davis and
Signature, with bands led by Bill
Dohler, Bud Freeman and Bud
Jacobsen. Sadly, many of these
remain unissued.
During the ’50s, Tut Soper
played briefly in California with
Muggsy Spanier and Marty
Marsala, did a stint with Eddie
Condon, then returned permanently to Chicago where he played
with Bob Scobey and his Frisco
Jazz Band for a short period of
time, and worked at clubs such as
the Blue Note, Jazz Ltd., Showboat
Sari-s and the Silhouette. In 1957
Soper recorded with guitarist
Marty Grosz and his Honoris
continued on page 9
American Rag Trial Subscription Offer
Don Jones, publisher of the American Rag is offering a two-month
“mini-trial-subscription” to all new AFCDJS members. Simply fill out
the form below, have it signed by an AFCDJS officer at one of our
monthly concerts, then send the completed form to the American Rag.
You will enjoy two months’ worth of reporting on the most important
events in the world of Traditional Jazz and Ragtime.
SUBSCRIBE TODAY
News You Can Use About Traditional Jazz and Ragtime
One Year: $27U.S. -:- Canadian $50U.S.* -:- Elsewhere $110U.S.*
Two Years: $50U.S. -:- Canadian $96U.S.* -:- Elsewhere $216U.S.*
(*) Includes Airmail Delivery
Make check payable to: The American Rag
20137 Skyline Ranch Dr., Apple Valley, CA 92308-5035
Phone/Fax: 760-247-5145
Name ________________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________________
City _________________________________________ State _____________
Phone _____________________________ Zip + 4 ______________________
America’s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society
FALL (NOVEMBER) 2015
JAZZ RAMBLER
Welcome
New and Renewal Members
July - Aug. - Sept. 2015
Herb & Pat Abram
Robert Aitken
Dick Alderson
Nick & Judith Alesi
Bob Andersen
Steven & Marcia Balch
John & Janet Bauer
Jay Berman
Garrett & Janet Bouma
Jerome Bourcy
Jeanne Bowers
Arlene Bradley
Donalee Brayman
Bob & Eileen Budd
Charles & Lola Calabrese
Bob & Barbara Carter
Noale Clifford
Jacquelyn Clutter
Mark Coholan & Dorothy Cook
Blaine Davies & Theresa Moore
Alice Davis
Josephine Doughner
J. Duane & Dawna Palmer
Ed & Joan Ducharme
Edward & Doris J Duling
Rick Elliot & Grace Liddi
Barbara Ellis
Doug & Joanne Elmer
Roger & June Entringer
Charline Feeser
Gerald & Julieta Foye
Goran Freske
Kaz & Yumi Fukukura
David & Sondra Gast
Marlene Giles
Lou Ann Gurney
Mary Hargraves
Veronica Haynes
Marshall Head
Homer Hendrix
Naida Hindert
John & Priscilla Hockins
Bernard Jaffe
Kenneth & Sandra Johnson
Merrilee Kazarian
Virginia Kuhle Fleet
Albert & Gloria La Rocca
Dominic Lonvino & Kaye Roch
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL /SUBSCRIPTION FORM
Please check the applicable boxes and mail to:
AMERICA’S FINEST CITY DIXIELAND JAZZ SOCIETY
P.O. Box 880387 • San Diego, CA 92168-0387 • Phone: (619) 297-5277
NEW
Enclosed is





RENEWAL

$20.00 for a single membership (includes Jazz Rambler)
$30.00 for a couple membership (includes Jazz Rambler)
$15.00 for annual subscription / Jazz Rambler only
$20.00 — foreign
SUPPORT THE EDUCATION FUND
 $1,000 Cotton Club  $250 Storyville Club  $100 Dawn Club
 Please contact me regarding volunteer work for the AFC Dixieland Jazz Society
NAME ___________________________________________________________
MAILING ADDRESS _________________________________________________
CITY _________________ STATE _____ ZIP _______ PHONE_____________________
EMAIL ___________________________________________________________
JAZZ RAMBLER
FALL (NOVEMBER) 2015
John Mann
Bob & Sally Marsteller
Barbara Martin
Henry McGrath & Helma Walser
John McNeil
Marcia & James Shaw Meier
Fran Melander
Richard Miner
John & Gwen Morgen
Richard W. Morris
Nell Murray
Rodney Orth
John & Betty Palmer
Jason Picker
Robert & Lisa Pinsker
Adrienne Pipes
Randy & Marilyn Prine
Tina Rakowski
Anne Rosser
Robin & Janine Ryder
John Salcido
Harold & Sharon Sargent
Rob & Alison Sawyer
Jules & Gail Schreiber
Bernice Sherwood
Bob & Rorie Snyder
Richard Stenzhorn
Jackie Stetter-Shannon
Bonnie Rae Streeter
Walter & Marilyn Tom
John Tucker & Valerie Carlson
Lorraine Tschaeche
Gloria Umbarger
Ray Uzeta & Connie Soucy
Jack & Evelyn Van Wingerden
Carville Veech
Warren E. Wasson
G. Whitman
Barry & Laura Withers
Andrew & Kathleen Wittenborn
Tim & Denise Ziegler
PAGE 15
AMERICA’S FINEST CITY
NON PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Permit No. 821
San Diego. CA
DIXIELAND JAZZ SOCIETY
Post Office Box 880387
San Diego, California 92168-0387
They Called it Jazz
Tut Soper — Free-Spirited Chicago Jazz Pianist
(This is a continuation of a series
of
biographies
of
great
traditional jazz musicians. The
series started with the March/
April 1991 issue and was
developed by Rambler founding
publisher and Board Member,
the late Len Levine.)
By Hal Smith
AFCDJS Artistic Director
In 1944 famed record producer
George Avakian reviewed a
recording by Jazz pianist “Tut”
Soper, accompanied by drummer
Baby Dodds, which was recorded
earlier that year. Avakian wrote,
“Picture Earl Hines in the full
flower of his wildest period, playing
as though it were his last chance
to explode through with vital ideas
PAGE 16
of earth-shaking consequence.
This is Tut Soper; an exciting,
intensely live pianist whose work
doesn’t merely ‘send’ you the way
many agitated instrumentalists can
— it reaches out, grabs you by the
throat, and shakes and chokes hell
FALL (NOVEMBER) 2015
out of you.” Soper’s playing on
the session — particularly on
“That’s a Plenty” and his own
composition “Oronics” — lives up
to Avakian’s high praise.
“Tut” was born Oro M. Soper
in Chicago on Apr. 9, 1910. As a
teenager he played and recorded
with a group of youngsters called
the “Five Baby Sheiks.” Just a
few years later, he was one of the
top pianists in Chicago — working
with Frank Teschemacher, Boyce
Brown, Floyd Towne, Johnny
Mendel, Wingy Manone and
others. In the late ’20s, he
participated in an after-hours jam
session with a living legend — Bix
Beiderbecke — at a club called
My Cellar and also began a long
friendship with the pianist who
continued on page 14
JAZZ RAMBLER