This month s guest is at The CLARION INN ON SISK RD In MODESTO SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2013 12 p.m. TO 5:00 p.m. JAN LEER President P.O. Box 4442 Modesto, CA 95352-4442 (209) 985-2223 www.modestojazz.com Traditional Jazz at Modesto Clarion Inn 1612 Sisk Rd. Modesto The March guest band is Yosemite Jazz Band. Formed in 1993, the The Yosemite Jazz Band established its roots in the mountain community of Oakhurst, California, located near Yosemite National Park. Berl Howell, the band's fearless leader, approached Ted Strauss and Jim Kirin about forming a traditional jazz band. Other local musicians came on board and it wasn't long before the band was rolling. In the summer of 1994, the newly formed band began its performances at the Oakhurst Pizza Factory, which has become an annual tradition. The band quickly gained a loyal following and many gigs ensued.the band added more local musicians over (Yosemite Continued on page 2) Club Meeting MARCH 17, 2013
2 (Yosemite Continued from page 1) the years, including Pat Mierkey, Jeff Gurule, James Mierkey, and Larry Vaccaro. The band's repertoire includes an entertaining blend of Dixieland jazz, early swing, gospel, and traditional jazz favorites. The Yosemite Jazz Band performs for dances, county and state fairs, jazz festivals, weddings, funerals, parties, church events, grand openings, and many other functions. For complete bios of the members or more information about Yosemite Jazz Band, go to their web site at yosemitejazzband.com. Admission Prices (Effective January 1, 2012) Jazz Society Members: $8 Guests: $12 Guest Band Musicians and 1 (one) Band Companion: No charge Performing Jam Musicians: No Charge All Jammer Companion/Spouse: $2 MISSION STATEMENT The purpose of the MODESTO TRADITIONAL JAZZ SOCIETY To preserve & promote our unique American National music treasure for future generations, To give jazz musicians opportunities to share their talent with appreciative audiences, To encourage youth to learn & to continue the original American art form of playing jazz. MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Modesto Traditional Jazz Society Annual Membership includes subscription and postage to the monthly newsletter, Jazzette. FAMILY $30 SINGLE $20 NEW RENEWAL CHANGE OF ADDRESS Date: Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: E-Mail: I am enclosing an additional $ for the MTJS General Fund. I am enclosing an additional $ for the Youth Band Scholarship Fund. I am interested in volunteering for Club functions. PLEASE MAIL TO: MTJS c/o Rozetta McNulty 4330 Highway 108 Riverbank, CA 95367 Thank you for your help in keeping Traditional Jazz alive! Jazzette Vol. 31 No. 12 2013 Board Members President Jan Leer 209-985-2223 Vice-President Mary Menz (Ex-Officio) Secretary Becky Sharp 11 Treasurer Nicky Richardson-Ikpo Music Director Sue Eastman 209-324-7272 Membership Director Rozetta McNulty 209-869-2024 Publicity Director Jeannie Wemken (Publicity) 209-524-3517 Members at Large Norma Brewster David Livingston 209-606-2056 Forrest Jackson Elinor Purdy Next Board Meeting March 26, 7 p.m. @ Jan s Place
10 Lynn Russell, right, Jamming with Deck Hogin in June, 2009. In Memoriam In March we lost one of our club founders. Lynn Russell passed on March 7, 2013. As well as a club founder, Lynn was a WWII veteran, played saxophone with Mickey Rooney's tent shows and was known as the "Flying Clown" for his performances in air shows. He was a member of Frank Mancini s Modesto Boys Band, and past manager of Modesto Band of Stanislaus County. Thanks Helping Keep Jazz Alive Many thanks to all the members who donated additional money, either by mail or at the door. Musically Speaking President s Message "There can be no tradition without innovation." Earle Hitchner, Irish music journalist Cell Block 7 gave us a lot of West Coast Traditional Jazz as well as some innovation on the double bell euphoniums and peck horns! What a treat to see so many old and new faces at the club in February, and I certainly think Cell Block 7 had a lot to do with the great attendance. We were treated to some fine music. This month we will be entertained by Yosemite Jazz Band, with more traditional jazz favorites, plus an entertaining blend of Dixieland jazz, early swing, and gospel. The Yosemite Jazz Band established its roots in the mountain community of Oakhurst, California, located near Yosemite National Park, in 1993. It will be fun to have them back at our club. Last month, there were three great jam sets it was a pleasure to see so many jammers and hear some great tunes. We were all saddened this past week with the passing of one our founding members, and a great jammer, Lynn Russell. We will all miss his smiling face, as well as the tunes he played and sang for so many years. 3 ATTENTION FRIENDS If you know of someone who is ill, celebrated a birthday or could use some cheering up, contact Jeannie Wemken at 524-3517. "Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity." Sean O'Casey Lynn Russell, left, Talking with MTJS President Jan Leer in Aug, 2009. (Musically Speaking Continued on page 4)
4 9 (Musically Speaking Continued from page 3) We are always talking about way you can help make MTJS a better Jazz Club. We always need new members, raffle donations, and jammers, but March is the month to start thinking about Board Elections. If you would like to join the MTJS Board, let our vice-president, Mary Menz, or any other Board Member know! This is a great time to share your talents and bring new ideas to the club. Our February Mardi Gras Raffle was a big hit, netting $230 for the club, so this month we will celebrate "the wearin' of the green" on St. Patrick's Day (Don't be surprised to see Drew in orange)! Every member, guest, or jammer that signs in wearing green will receive one FREE raffle ticket. As always, additional raffle tickets will be 6 for $5. Cell Block 7 left several of their CDs for our raffle, so check them out. Our next Club meeting will be Sunday, March 17th, with jam sets beginning at 12:00 Noon. Please enjoy the drink and food service that the Clarion offers, as that is our only way of showing them our appreciation for the use of their facility. Put on your dancin' shoes and bring a friend to hear a great performance by Yosemite Jazz Band. Next Board Meeting: Our next Board Meeting will be Tuesday, March 26, 2013, 7 PM at Jan's Place. A wish that every day for you will be happy from the start and may you always have good luck and a song within your heart. Anonymous The club board has decided to run the monthly expenses to show the membership how money is spent each month. MODESTO TRADITIONAL JAZZ SOCIETY Income / Expense _02/01/13 03/01/13 Income: $852.00 Expenses: $739.50 Admissions: $337.00 Membership (Renewals): $110.00 (New): $30.00 Raffle (Club): $230.00 Donations (Club): $20.00 (Memorial): $125.00 Jazzette Ad Rates Advertise in the Jazzette! Help support your Jazz Society! 1/10 page $5 1 1/2" x 2 1/4" Business card $10 2" x 3 1/2" 1/5 page $15 1 1/2" x 4 3/4" Guest band: $600.00 Jazzette Expenses: $119.15 U.S.P.O. Box: $20.00 Net Gain: $112.50 1/2 page $25 3 3/4" x 4 3/4" Jan Leer, President, MTJS Full Page $40 7 1/2" x 4 3/4" For more information, email the newsletter editor at Jazzette@modestodixieland.com
8 5 Sue s Jazzy Tidbits It was a wonderful afternoon of great music provided by Cell Block 7. They brought out a big crowd and they had the dance floor full. Dave Johnson did a fantastic job filling in for Bob Sakoi who was home with a 103 degree fever. Great job guys and I hope you will come back again next year. I met first timers, Gordon and Judy Malloy from Twain Harte. Gordon plays in the Columbia College Big Band. In fact, they will be performing at the Gallo Center for the Arts on April 7th. We hope you enjoyed yourselves and will come back soon. It was good to see Carol Cochran, Darrel Staats, Barbara Baughman, and Anne Fosco back with us after losing their loved ones recently. February jammers were: Trombone - Gordon Malloy & Rozetta McNulty, Banjo/Guitar - Jan Buhlert & Bill Sharp, Piano - Rozetta McNulty & Allen Shaw, Vocals - Becky Sharp, Trumpet - Dave Livingston & Dave Johnson, Drums - Tony Palazuelos & Cory Franklin, Reeds - Dick Lockwood & Don Rees. Don brought friends and his lovely wife, Mary with him. "Thank you" to those of you who donate items for the raffle. This helps build our youth fund so we can send students to jazz camp. Keep buying those raffle tickets! Members and their families in need of some sunshine. Lynn Russell and Don Burch. Lynn Russell passed away Thursday, March 7th at the Alexander Cohn Hospice House in Hughson. Lynn was one of our founding fathers. Don Burch had two surgeries in ten days. Cards may be sent to: 225 Wake Ave. #241, El Centro, CA 92243. For more information contact me through email. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Next month our guest band is Yosemite Jazz Band. So dust off your dancing shoes and come dance, listen, eat, drink and be merry!
6 7 Special thanks to Forrest Jackson for capturing the event. For more photos, go to our online photo gallery at www.modestojazz.com/clubphotos/