Continued: Jazz in the Heartland

Congratulations to promoter Steve Heckler, publicist Pat Courtemanche and everyone else who helped make the 10th annual Twin Cities Hot Summer Jazz Festival last month a big success, despite its notable lack of trad and ragtime artists. Maybe more next year? Yes, if the ubiquitous Butch Thomson has anything to say about it. He, Paul Asaro and Jon Weber were the pianists on "Stride Night" June 24 and according to Thompson, it was a huge success.

He said, "All of the `regular' fans were over at Bennett's in St. Paul for the monthly fourth Tuesday concert of the Charlie DeVore-Bill Evans New Orleans Jazz Band, so we had a lot of new faces in the audience. Not only were they ecstatic but so was (festival founder-promoter) Steve Heckler at the sold-out audience. I plan to talk to him soon about adding more trad and some ragtime for next year's festival." June 25, Thompson headed for a gig in Switzerland.

Further downstream, Ray Voss, president of the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Society, told us June 23 that some flooding had occurred in the Quad Cities (Iowa-Illinois) but that LeClaire Park, Davenport, Iowa, site of the annual event, was predicted to be dry by late June and was expected to be fully ready to house the event on schedule July 24-27, assuming Mother Nature cooperates between now and then. "There are no guarantees," Voss cautioned, "but we do have three indoor venues and they are out of the flooded area," so never fear, a Mississippi River flood episode cannot drown out Bix Fest. Info@bixsociety.org.

The Michigan Ragtime Retreat is back and is set for Sept. 16-19, Lapeer, Mich. Coordinating the event at the behest of founder and ragtime great Bob Milne are Ron and Norma Ludy. "We invite you to join us for four days of learning and fun," said Ludy in an e-mail June 21. "The purpose of the Retreat is to show people how to play by ear. People who have come to our event come back over and over. What does that tell you?" The Retreat includes a concert by Milne Sept. 19. Details from Michiganmusicretreat@gmail.com; (248) 628-8950. ragtime fans@bobmilne.com.

Congratulations to Windom, Minn. native Maria Schneider (see March RAG) who June 18 won four awards from the Jazz Journalists' Association: record of the year for Sky Blue; composer of the year; arranger of the year and large ensemble of the year for her jazz orchestra. By e-mail, she told the RAG June 19, "It's nice to be recognized, especially for `album of the year.' I poured my heart and soul into that record and to have people enjoy it --- how happy that makes me. I wish I could slice up the awards and share them; it makes me feel guilty winning so many." For the complete list of award winners, contact jazz publicist Don Lucoff, don@jazzpublicity.com

The new president of JAZZMN big band (in its 10th anniversary season) is David Hyslop, retired president of the Minnesota Orchestra. A veteran arts consultant, Hyslop succeeds Joseph Fleischman who is now vice president and remains general manager. FFI GeorgiaGL@aol.com.

Media Matters: Did you know that there is a National Music Museum and that it is located in the Heartland at Vermillion, S.D.? Neither did I: www.twincities.com June 16.

Waukesha, Wis. native and guitar wizard-legend Les Paul turned 93 June 9. The best interview of him you'll ever read appears in the June issue of the superb newsletter of the New Jersey Jazz Society, www.njjs.org.  

Franz Jackson, Chicago, who died May 6 at 95, is remembered lovingly and in detail with numerous photos in Notes to You, newsletter of the Illiana (Illinois-Indiana) Club of Traditional Jazz, June. The club's 35th anniversary festival Oct. 24-25 just won't be the same without him. JazzEddy@aol.com, (219) 923-6775.

The more I hear Arne Fogel (see June RAG) guest hosting on Minnesota's jazz station, www.kbem.org/ 88.5, the more I believe he should have his own show -- somewhere. Minnesota Public Radio selected staffer Mary Ann Sullivan to fill the Saturday night slot after veteran Leigh Kamman retired, so that leaves two other public radio stations: KBEM or perhaps KFAI. (Commercial radio? Are you kidding me?) Fogel is too good an on-air talent not to be heard regularly. Any takers? FOGARN@aol.com.

An occasional Minnesota visitor, the latest occurring June 22, New Orleans-reared pianist Henry Butler, relocated to Denver by Katrina, played his head off on NPR's All Things Considered, June 2 npr.org.

The EarlyJas Rag of northeastern Ohio, June issue, talks about eponymous song titles, the club's Fall festival, Cleveland's Barking Spider club and offers voluminous area listings, www.earlyjas.org.

PBS/Independent Lens' portrait of Billy Strayhorn was carried by Minnesota's tpt.org/Ch. 17 June 23.

Recent media criticism of a U.S. government TV channel directed at the Middle East (npr.org, All Things Considered, June 24, Daniel Schorr commentary) reminded me of the day I spent at the suburban Washington, D.C. home of legendary Voice of America jazz broadcaster Willis Conover about 20 years ago. I never saw so many records in my life, and he seemed to know where every one he sought was located. His encyclopedic memory made him a treasure trove of jazz history, and he was admired and cherished by jazz fans around the world. Conover was one of the key contributors to the world jazz scene. He was one of if not the most successful U.S. government foreign broadcasters ever. Gone but certainly not forgotten, RIP.

The January-May issue of the Lake Superior Ragtimer previewed the society's July 9 summer mini-bash and covered various club activities. Details from tsandor@cpinternet.com, (218) 724-7696. Applications for the 2009 Youth Piano Contest are being accepted.

I need your news by the fifth of the month preceding publication: W.B. Shapira, 5644 Morgan Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 55419; wshapira@aol.com, no attachments. Thanks, later.

July 2008 issue | © 2008 The Mississippi Rag

P.O. Box 19068, Minneapolis, MN 55419.