Plainsong: We no sooner ran Delfeayo Marsalis' encouraging comments on the future of traditional jazz than brother Jason Marsalis chimed in via e-mail: "There are young people getting into traditional jazz. More modern players are getting into trad and are playing those types of gigs in New Orleans. Still more musicians will follow in the coming years. Is it fashionable now? No, but in time, it could be. The country has to grow and mature and when it does, traditional jazz will still be here; it isn't going anywhere. As far as the public is concerned, as long as they are exposed to the validity of the music, it will take time but they will get it, especially the younger generation."

Any more Marsalises wish to comment? My contact info closes the column.

The Emperors of Jazz Dixie Land Jazz Band are back on deck for another season of Sunday "Jazz Me on the River" cruises on the beautiful St. Croix dividing Minnesota and Wisconsin; Stillwaterboats.com; (651) 430-1234.

A new schedule of jazz concerts at the Old Log Theater, Excelsior, Minn. includes June 2, Russ Peterson; June 9, Cliff Brunzell and Irv Williams; June 23, Barbary Coast Dixieland Jazz Band; July 21, Upper Mississippi Jazz Band; Aug. 11, Butch Thompson.

Dean Sorenson, Director of Jazz Studies, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, will conduct a course in jazz pedagogy June 9-20 "for instrumental music teachers interested in improving their jazz teaching chops,"soren048@umn.edu; (612) 624-2334; www.deansorsensonmusic.com. His composition, "Shines For All to See," commemorating Minnesota's sesquicentennial, was played May 10 at a Minnesota Twins home baseball game. Meantime, applications will be accepted after Jan. 1 for music scholarships funded by the Minnesota AFL-CIO of which Twin Cities Musicians Union Local 30-73 is a member; www.mnaflcio.org; Lori Williams (800) 652-9004.

The 10th annual Twin Cities (St. Paul-Minneapolis, Minn.) Jazz Festival is set for June 19-29. Artists of special interest to RAG™ readers include Butch Thompson/Paul Asaro/Jon Weber, a stride piano concert; New Orleans vocalist Charmaine Neville of the famed New Orleans family, and Minnesota's The Red Rock Swing Band, Gypsy jazz singer Connie Evingson, the Skyway Jazz Orchestra, and George Maurer. A tribute to Leslie Johnson appears in the festival program. For complete lineup, schedule and ticket info, www.TwinCitiesJazzFestival.com; (612) 746-1776.

The annual Bloomington, Minn. Jazz Festival will be held Aug 10 2-7 p.m. featuring the Bend in the River Big Band; Connie Evingson's Quintet; Jack Brass Band (see May RAG) and the Jumpin' Jehosophats, (952) 563-8895.

The 29th Detroit International Jazz Festival Aug. 29-Sept. 1 includes several artists of probable interest to RAG readers, including the Count Basie Orchestra and Slide Hampton, plus numerous excellent modernists, www.detroitjazzfest.com.

Our good friends and loyal supporters in the Illiana (Illinois-Indiana) Club of Traditional Jazz will hold a 35th anniversary festival Oct. 24-25, Willowbrook, Ill. A festival brochure recalls that clarinetist Jerry Fuller laid the groundwork with gigs at The Inn Place and that fans created the club Aug. 20, 1973. Many of the founding members are among the club's membership of about 1,000, says the brochure, "encouraging, stimulating, preserving and promoting the playing of live jazz music." For details on the lineup, tickets and how you can perform during the festival, www.illianajazz.com.

On Wisconsin! Plans are underway for the 10th annual Eau Claire, Wisc. Ragtime Festival Jan. 9-11, 2009, a benefit for a free local medical clinic. Talent includes Mimi Blais, Brian Holland, the St. Louis Stompers, www.ecragtime.org. Bob Milne is featured artist at the annual Fall concert of the Chippewa Valley Ragtime Society Oct. 25, cvragtime@earthlink.net.

The 15th annual Eagles and Ivories Ragtime Weekend is set for Jan. 23-25, Muscatine, Iowa. Talent includes Anne Barnhart and Jeff Barnhart; Just for Fun; Jean Kittrell & the Jazz Incredibles; Mad Creek Mudcats; Adam Swanson, and Brent Watkins, sponsored by www.muscatineartscouncil.org; daviddales@machlink.com; (563) 263-8895 or (563) 263-9978 which funds a number arts events in the Muscatine area.

Inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame recently were jazzers Arne Fogel (see next item); Kenny Horst, Carole Martin, Jeanne Arland Peterson and Irv Williams, www.startribune.com April 27.

June 2008 issue | © 2008 The Mississippi Rag

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