28^th Annual North Carolina Jazz Festival  

Highlights

January 31- February 2, 2008  

April 2008 Jersey Reviews Jazz 

“The 28th North Carolina Jazz Festival”, By Andi Tyson NJJS President   

The Festival held January 31 – February 2, 2008 at the Wilmington Hilton Riverside (where it’s always been), was a three evening jazz party, from 7:30 – 11:30 PM, filled with 15musicians who switched and changed band mates with such fluidity you’d think they’d been playing (and rehearsing) together for years! From Jonathan Russell — 12 year old jazz violinist —to Bucky — and everywhere in between — they all found common ground on some very tasty numbers.

I want to thank Sandy Evans , the President of the Festival Committee and emcee, who was a gracious hostess throughout the weekend. I can attest to the fact that she tied up lots of loose ends — as they were happening — and she did it with patience and aplomb. We thank her for all that she did to make NJJS feel welcome.

The festival opened Thursday evening with the NC University/Wilmington Big Band and closed with BED (Becky Kilgore, Eddie Erickson, Dan Barrett (and Joel Forbes on bass) and then a festival jazz session. The opening night acts were snappy and together and seemed to love what they were doing, getting us set up for some rousing music for the rest of the weekend. Through the whole event, BED was the only “group” at the party and they stayed together for some sets, mixed and mingled on others and that was great fun.

The daytime was left to touring: exploring the Riverwalk, where the Cape Fear River meets the Atlantic forming an estuary, or going out to the Atlantic Ocean for a walk in the sun and surf (it was gorgeous weather Friday). Back in Wilmington , there were quaint shops and cafés in which to stop and shop and free trolleys to tour the City’s historic landmarks. All in all, the town was filled with Southern hospitality and lots of good food.

Late Friday afternoon, we had what’s becoming our traditional NJJS festival wine-

and-cheese party, entertaining several NJJS members who decided to join us down in NC before going on to other Southern adventures. Art and Kay MacDougall and Selma and Wes Fuchs made our stay that much more enjoyable.

In the ballroom each night a different musician was chosen to lead each 25-minute set with usually six musicians per group; every musician got a chance to lead a group —

Jonathan included, which made his parents very proud. These were all world-class musicians so there wasn’t one tune that wasn’t a hit with the audience, from “Love Me or Leave Me”— “I’m Nobody’s Sweetheart Now”— “Three Little Words” and on and on. And when Jonathan and Bucky co-led, the audience couldn’t get enough.

John Cocuzzi’s “Yellow Dog Blues” was a show stopper. He soloed on “St. James Infirmary” and “Boogie All by My Self”.  I couldn’t believe how well he sang! “Lime House Blues” with Jonathan also brought the audience to its feet. That was how it went for the weekend — just a knock-your-socks-off kind a party! I don’t have space to keep going into every set, every piece played, every musician, but we were familiar with 14 of the 15 musicians and they were all terrific.

The festival took some of the musicians out of the hotel to the Roland Grise Middle School for a special concert/seminar Friday afternoon. There was also a master class at the New Hanover High School , so the area youngsters got some time with the musicians as well.  Saturday was a patron’s Brunch/Jam Session at 10:30 AM with the all-star musicians entertaining the guests with more fine music. The ambience of the whole weekend allowed musicians and audience members to get to know each other.  Nothing Finer (or Jazzier) than (North) Carolina in the winter time.  A very friendly atmosphere existed in the hallways ,restaurants and concert venue making everyone feel comfortable — newbies like me as well as old-timers who have been there since the beginning ,like their very own “Dr. Jazz,” Harry Van Velsor, whom some of our members may know from several years ago.

The Cape Fear Jazz Society is a partner for this event and we hope you’ll check out their website for more information —www.capefearjazz.com. We hope to increase NJJS attendance next year; the ride down was not bad at all. The dates are Feb.5–7, 2009 for those who want to plan ahead, because their theme will be “Lionel, Red & Bunny —a Tribute to Lionel Hampton, Red Norvo and Bunny Berigan.” Lined up already are Nicki Parrott and Rossano Sportiello; Ed Polcer, Judy Kurtz, Wycliffe Gordon, Joe Ascione, Houston Person, Frank Tate, John Cocuzzi, and I’m sure other wonderful players — many of whom were there this past festival but just couldn’t satisfy the audience enough so they’re invited back.  How lucky we will be to see them in Wilmington again. If anyone wants to see this year’s festival brochure, I brought some home so just let me know: pres@njjs.org. And if you go too their festivals, please let us know as it’ll increase our readers’ knowledge of what’s happening in the wonderful world of jazz — it is alive and kickin!      Reprinted with permission. (c) Jersey Jazz/www.njjs.org.

Embassy News

Embassy Award to Young American Jazz Virtuoso

Regardless of language barriers, jazz is one art form that speaks to both Hungarians and Americans, drawing them together in music appreciation and performance, and strengthening the bonds of friendship between our two countries.

In support of this Embassy goal, Chargé d'Affaires Jeffrey Levine led a 10-person U.S. Embassy delegation to the March 28, 2008 opening of Kecskemét's International "Bohém" Ragtime & Jazz Festival. The featured performer was 12-year-old American violin virtuoso Jonathan Russell, to whom Chargé Levine presented the Ambassador's Award for Music Diplomacy.

Russell joined Festival organizer, Tamás Ittzés -- who is also a master of jazz instrumental performance -- and his Bohém Ragtime Jazz Band in a program of early jazz music. The event delighted the international audience of 500 that filled Kecskemét's Cultural Center Hall. The U.S. Embassy was pleased to be a  co-sponsors of the Festival.

  NC Jazz Festival, voted one of the Southeast's top twenty events 

Visit our friends at http://jazzfestatsea.com/