January 2012 Volume 36, Number 01 FIRST CONCERT OF 2012 SPOTLIGHTS UPTOWN LOWDOWN JAZZ BAND STILL GOING STRONG AFTER 40 YEARS! By Rod Belcher It was in 1972 that I first listened to a band headed by cornetist Bert Barr. It was a quintet playing at a pizza joint, Shakey s, in West Seattle. I don t think the group even had a name then. Its players included the late, great pianist, Johnny Wittwer; trombonist Mike Hobi; drummer Howard Gilbert; and clarinetist Dick Martin, and of course Barr. It was a high energy, swinging outfit. Bert soon afterward organized another band and devised the name Uptown Lowdown for it. Bert, being a talented promoter, started getting more frequent bookings through the years, all the while fine-tuning the band s extensive book of trad, blues, ragtime and obscure or familiar pop tunes. His present lineup of players includes his wife, Rose Marie, piano; Paul Woltz, reeds; Tom Jacobus, trombone; Paul Hagglund, tuba; and Al LaTourette, banjo. They offer tight-knit ensemble work, free-spirited solo improvisation, and a wondrous grasp of all variations of classic jazz. Uptown Lowdown s credits include many years of being featured at festivals, commercial events, cruises and on all manner of recordings. They ve long been booked for a once-a-year PSTJS concert, and their performance for us in 2012 is close at hand. Come hear and enjoy!!... NOTE NEW START TIME:... WHEN: 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Sunday, January 15. WHERE: Ballard Elks Lodge, 6411 Seaview Ave. NW, Seattle ADMISSION: $10 - PSTJS members; $13 - non-members. Pay only at door. MORE INFO: 425-776-5072 - or - website: www.pstjs.org Plenty free parking; Beautiful view. Snacks, coffee, other beverages available. Notes from the Prez Happy New Year to all of you. I mentioned in the December Soundings that I d have news for you this month. Well, here it is... Beginning with the first Jazz Sunday, January 15th, 2012 we will begin our music at 1:00 pm, not 12:30. We will continue to end our afternoon at 4:30. We will have three one hour sets with two 15 minute breaks. This should work well for both the musicians and the members and we re definitely looking forward to the new timing. We will also be featuring some new bands in our lineup. Gerry Green s Crescent City Shakers will play for us in March. Look for much more about the band in the March Soundings. Glenn Crytzer s Syncopators will play for us in May and in June the Market Street Dixieland Jass Band will make their first appearance with PSTJS. All three of these bands are seasoned musicians and have regular gigs locally as well as nationally. All three are considered local - no airfare required. The always popular New Orleans Quintet will be our featured band in April. They have been playing together each week for 25+ years at the New Orleans Restaurant in Pioneer Square. In December two new members were elected to your Board of Directors, Jack Temp and Gary Lydum. All the other officers and directors continue to serve in their positions. We have a very active Board and all of us are interested in making your Sunday Jazz sessions the best ever. We have been given all event tickets to the Seaside Festival in February and we ll be auctioning them off during our January session. Bring your checkbooks and be ready to bid on one of the last festivals still going strong. To those of you who are able to join us at the Ballard Elks each month I say a big Thanks for your continual support. For those of you who are unable to join us, I Thank You for your continued membership. Let s see if we can bring a friend, neighbor or family member to enjoy what we love so much. Again, Happy New Year, see you at the Elks on the 15th. Cheers, Judy
Jazz Soundings January 2012 Page 2 Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society 19031 Ocean Avenue Edmonds, WA 98020-2344 425-776-5072 www.pstjs.org EVENTS Elks Lodge, Ballard, 6411 Seaview Ave N.W., Seattle UPCOMING EVENTS Jan 15 Uptown Lowdown JB Feb 19 holotradband Mar 18 Gerry Green s Crescent City Shakers Apr 15 The New Orleans Quintet May 20 Glenn Crytzer s Syncopators June 17 Market Street Dixieland Jass Band PRESIDENT: Judy Levy jazzdancer2@msn.com 425-890-6605 VICE PRESIDENT: George Swinford grs-pms@comcast.net 425-869-2780 SECRETARY: Cilla Trush paultrush@yahoo.com 206-363-9174 TREASURER: Gloria Kristovich gkristo@live.com 425-776-7816 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dave Brown: jazzstrings@comcast.net 253-752-6525 Joanne Hargrave shorejo1@comcast.net 206-550-4664 Leroy Johnson: moldyfig33@msn.com 206-772-4378 Jan Lemmon djlemmon@msn.com 425-776-9763 Edmund Lewin: 360-297-6633 Ian McKenna: i.mckenna@frontier.com 425-771-5479 George Oelrich: goelrich@comcast.net 360-793-0836 Carol Rippey: trianglejazz@comcast.net 425-776-5072 Jack Temp Gary Lydum MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Carol Rippey: trianglejazz@comcast.net 425-776-5072 EDITOR Anita LaFranchi: jazzeditor@q.com 206-522-7691 JAZZ SOUNDINGS Published monthly except July and August by the Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society. Anita LaFranchi, Editor, jazzeditor@q.com Ads must be submitted in a jpeg or PDF format Payment in advance to: Gloria Kristovich, P.O. Box 373, Edmonds, WA 98020-0373 Advertising Rates: Full page $100. 7 1/2 wide by 9 1/2 tall Half Page $60. 7 1/2 wide by 4 1/4 tall Quarter Page $40. 3 5/8 Wide by 4 1/4 tall Deadline is the 10th of the month for the next months issue Gigs for Local Bands BELLINGHAM TRADITIONAL JAZZ SOCIETY 1st Saturday 2-5 pm VFW Hall 625 N. State St OLYMPIA JAZZ SOCIETY 3rd Sunday at the Elks, write to charlottedickison@comcast.net for dates and band playing. CASEY MacGILL s BLUE 4 TRIO Sundays, 5:30-8:30 Tutta Bella Pizzeria 4411 Stoneway N 206-633-3800 Wednesdays, 8-11. Pink Door Restaurant & Lounge 1919 Post Alley (Pike Market) 206-443-3241 FIRST THURSDAY BAND 1st Thurs of each month, 7-10 p.m., New Orleans Restaurant, 114 1st Ave S., Seattle, WA GLENN CRYTZER s SYNCOPATORS 1st Sunday of the Month 9:30-12:30 Century Ballroom 915 East Pine (2nd Floor) 206-324-7263 Third Wednesday of the Month (same as above) GRAND DOMINION JAZZ BAND New website: www.dizswift.btinternet.co.uk/gdjb/calendar_page.htm holotradband Tuesdays, 7-10 p.m., New Orleans Restaurant, 114 1st Ave S., Seattle, WA THE MARKET STREET DIXIELAND JASS BAND Jan 14th, 8 pm Salmon Bay Eagles in Ballard 8 PM. NEW ORLEANS JAZZ QUINTET Mondays 6:30-9:30 p.m. New Orleans Restaurant, 114 1st Ave S., Seattle, WA PEARL DJANGO Jan. 3 8, 7:30 pm Jazz Alley with guitarist, Martin Taylor 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, WA (206-441-9729) Jan. 13, 7 pm Collective Visions Gallery This usually sells out so make reservations. 331 Pacific Avenue, Bremerton, WA; 360-377- 8327. Jan. 27, 7pm Blue Horse Gallery Appearing with Douce Ambience 301 West Holly St # 101 Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 671-2305 Jan. 28, 7:30 pm Whidbey Island Center for the Arts Appearing with Douce Ambience 565 Camano Avenue, Langley, WA; (800) 638-7631 UPTOWN LOWDOWN JB Jan 15, 1 pm Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society Ballard Elks On Your Dial... Saturday 7-12 p.m. Swing Years and beyond KUOW 94.9 FM Sunday 3-6 p.m. Art of Jazz, Ken Wiley, KPLU 88.5 FM
Jazz Soundings January 2012 Page 3 SEASIDE JAZZ FESTIVAL (formerly known as Oregon Dixieland Jubilee) Presented by Lighthouse Jazz Society February 24 thru 26, 2012 SEASIDE, OREGON BLACK SWAN BLUE STREET BRIDGETOWN SEXTET CHOPPED LIVER JAZZ BAND HIGH SIERRA IVORY&GOLD NEW EL DORADO JAZZ BAND TITAN HOT SEVEN TOM RIGNEY & FLAMBEAU UPTOWN LOWDOWN WALLY S WAREHOUSE WAIFS BOB DRAGA, Guest Artist Five Venues: Three at the Convention Center and one each at the Best Western Oceanview & Seaside Elks. DANCE FLOORS! FREE SHUTTLE! More information at www.jazzseaside.com or 1-866-345-6257; M-F; 9 5 PM only.
Jazz Soundings January 2012 Page 4 by Doug Parker THE WEST COAST JAZZ TRADITION In our previous article, we mentioned the contributions of Lu Watters Yerba Buena Jazz Band, in reviving the New Orleans style of jazz, but with a few touches of their own, as last month (December 19, 2011) not only marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of Lu Watters, but the 70th anniversary of that first recording session by his band, for Jazz Man Records in San Francisco. These recordings were important in not only reviving that great art form, but in bringing some of its practitioners out of retirement, such as trumpeters Bunk Johnson (who recorded with the available members of the Yerba Buena Band in 1943 and 44) and Mutt Carey, and trombonist Edward Kid Ory, and in bringing to prominence such players as clarinetist George Lewis. When Lu retired in 1950, his two main disciples, trumpeter Bob Scobey and trombonist Turk Murphy, had formed their own bands; while Scobey s Frisco Band used a four-beat rhythm, featuring a string bass, Turk stuck closer to the ragtime-oriented style of the Yerba Buena band, with his band s instrumentation usually consisting of trombone, clarinet, trumpet, piano, banjo, and tuba, with drums rarely used. He carried on with his band up until his death in 1987. The use of a two-beat rhythm, and of tuba and banjo in the rhythm section, was a characteristic of the many bands that followed in the style of Watters and Murphy, such as the Castle Jazz Band of Portland, the Dixieland Rhythm Kings from Dayton, Ohio, the Salty Dogs of Purdue University, the popular Firehouse Five Plus Two, composed of Disney Studios artists, and such bands of today as the High Sierra Jazz Band, the Titanic Jazz Band, and of course, our (Seattle s) own Uptown Lowdown Jazz Band, who, as you know, add a unique touch by use of a two-man reed section. (Love those bass saxes!) And there have been several West Coast style bands formed since the disbanding of the Yerba Buena Jazz Band which feature a front line headed by two trumpets or cornets. First, in San Francisco in the mid-50s, came the Bay City Jazz Band, then the augmented version of the Firehouse Five Plus Two, then, from the early 60s on, in both Los Angeles and the Bay Area, banjoist Ted Shafer s Jelly Roll Jazz Band, in the ;70s, drummer Ray Smith s Yankee Rhythm Kings and later banjoist Vince Saunders South Frisco Jazz Band, many of whose members currently play with cornetist Dan Left to Right: Lu Watters, Bill Dart, Bob Scobey, Bob Helm, Wally Rose and Dick Lammi. Photo by Melgar Studios of San Francisco. Comins Titanic band, the Devil Mountain Jazz Band from the San Francisco Bay area, led by GREAT banjoist Ken Keeler plus some editions of the Uptown Lowdown, and more recently the popular and exciting Yerba Buena Jazz Band, led by multi-talented John Gill, who for several years played banjo and drums in the Turk Murphy Jazz Band, and locally, the fine Hume Street Jazz Band. One tradition which started with the Lu Watters Yerba Buena Jazz Band, and which continues to this day, is the featuring of ragtime piano solos, usually accompanied by the rhythm section. First there was the late Pete Clute with Turk s band (he and Turk were co-owners of Earthquake McGoon s, in San Francisco), then Robbie Rhodes, with first the South Frisco, and more recently, the Titanic Jazz Bands, and currently, Rose Marie Barr with the Uptown Lowdown, and let s not forget Karla West with the Hume Street Jazz Band and Virginia Tichenor with the Devil Mountain. The Yerba Buena Stompers have had fine pianists who were and are accomplished ragtimers, starting with Pete Clute, then Marty Eggers, who, as most of you know is married to Virginia Tichenor, and currently Conal Fowkes, who was recently in the Seattle area with Woody Allen s New Orleans Jazz Band. Lu Watters, Turk Murphy, and their colleagues are no longer with us, but their music lives on!
Jazz Soundings January 2012 Page 5 Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society 19031 Ocean Ave., Edmonds, WA 98020-2344 Please (enroll) (renew) (me) (us) as a member or members Name Address City, State Zip Code Phone E-Mail Check when renewing if your address label is correct Dues for 12 months: Single $25 Couple $40 Lifetime single $200 Lifetime Couple $350 Patron $500 (One or two lifetime membership) Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to the performance and preservation of traditional jazz. Your membership and contributions are tax-deductible. Thank you. Jazz Festival Bowing Out By Mary Mitchell On November 29, 2011, the Ocean Shores Jazz Society met and voted not to continue presenting an annual Jazz festival. Badge sales, sponsorship and donations have not kept pace with the rising festival costs. While the 2011 festival saw an increase in attendance over the numbers of the past few years, it was not enough to make up for previous losses. In 1983 the city of Ocean Shores Convention Center had an idea to have a Dixieland Jazz Festival as a way to bring tourists into town during the winter months. The first festival, based on the dream of continuing success, was held October 28, 29 and 30, 1983 with three bands. The event was a success. In 1985 a non-profit group, the Ocean Shores Dixieland Jazz Society, was formed. In 2007, the group became the Ocean Shores Jazz Society, presenting Jazz at the Beach, a festival encompassing all jazz music. This year the Jazz Society held its 29 th annual festival with nine bands and a featured guest artist. The attendees included first time festival goers as well as long time participants. The consensus of opinions expressed appreciation for the wide variety of music available for listening and dancing. Over the years, the Ocean Shores Jazz Society has raised money to support the music program in the North Beach School District. We have sent students to jazz music camps, on educational field trips and helped with equipment and supplies. The monies raised for that purpose will be set up in a fund to continue the support of our youth and their appreciation for jazz music. Hundreds of hours of volunteer work go into putting on a festival. The Ocean Shores Jazz Society would like to express our gratitude to all of the people over the years who have worked tirelessly to present 29 wonderful festivals. We appreciated the support of the local businesses that have provided lodging for band members. Without the generous support of the community, we could not have continued for these 29 years. Thank you to all, past and present, for creating and sustaining such a fun and fantastic event. It shall be missed. SUBSCRIBE TODAY News You Can Use About Traditional Jazz and Ragtime U.S. One Year: $26 -:- Canadian $39 U.S. Funds* U.S. Two Years: $48 -:- Canadian $74 U.S. Funds* (*) 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 Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society
Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society 19031 Ocean Ave. Edmonds, WA 98020-2344 Address service requested Non-profit Org U..S. Postage Paid Seattle, WA Permit 1375 Your invitation You and your friends are cordially invited to hear sizzling-hot jazz as a guest of Elks Club Jazz Society member Colin Dearing. Admission is payable at the door. AIN T NO HEAVEN SEVEN Leader: Terry Rogers terryrrogers@comcast.net 206-465-6601 CASEY MacGILL s BLUE 4 TRIO Contact: Mike Daugherty bookingb4t@blue4trio.com 206-832-5372 www.blue4trio.com COAL CREEK JAZZ BAND Leader: Judy Logen, 425-641- 1692 Bookings: judy@coalcreekjazzband.com COMBO DE LUXE Bookings: Candace Brown www.combodeluxe.net jazzstrings@comcast.net 253-752-6525 CORNUCOPIA CONCERT BAND Leader: Allan Rustad www.comband.org 425-744-4575 DUKES OF DABOB Bookings: Mark Holman, 360-779-6357, seaclar7@embarqmail.com. DUWAMISH JAZZ BAND Bookings: Carol Johnston carolanjo@yahoo.com 206-932-7632 FIRST THURSDAY BAND Leader: Ray Skjelbred, Rayskjelbred@gmail.com 206-420-8535 FOGGY BOTTOM JAZZ BAND Leader: Bruce Cosacchi www.foggybottomjazz.com 360-638-2074 GRAND DOMINION JAZZ BAND Bookings: Bob Pelland bobpelland@gdjb.com 360-387-2500 holotradband Leader: Dave Holo www.holotradband.com 253-875-6932 HOT CLUB SANDWICH Contact: James Schneider www.hotclubsandwich.com 206-561-1137 BANDS, CONTACTS HUME STREET PRESERVATION JAZZ BAND Bookings: Karla West 406-862-3814 JAZZ UNLIMITED BAND Leader: Duane Wright duane.janw@verizon.net 866-337-2111 JAZZ STRINGS Bookings: Candace Brown jazzstrings@comcast.net 253-752-6525 LOUISIANA JOYMAKERS! Leader: Leigh Smith smithtunes@shaw.ca 604-294-9464 THE MARKET STREET DIXIELAND JASS BAND Ansgar Duemchen: 425-286-5703 Tim Sherman 206-547-1772 www.marketstreetdixielandjass.com MIGHTY APHRODITE Co-leaders: Bria Skonberg, Claire McKenna mightyaphroditejazz@hotmail.com 405-613-0568 NEW ORLEANS QUINTET Leader: Dave Holo www.neworleansquintet.com 253-875-6932 NO INHIBITIONS JAZZ BAND bfl@atjzzmsn.com 360-981-7412 www.noinhibitionsjazz.com RAINIER JAZZ BAND Manager: Randy Keller randykeller@msn.com 206-437-1568 RAY SKJELBRED Rayskjelbred@gmail.com 206-420-8535 RONNIE PIERCE JAZZ ENSEMBLE ronniepiercemusic@yahoo.com, 206-467-9365 UPTOWN LOWDOWN JAZZ BAND Leader: Bert Barr uljb@yahoo.com 425-898-4288 WILD CARDS JAZZ Leader: Randy Keller randykeller@msn.com 206-437-1568