SUPPORT OUR TROOPS
JacknEvelyn's Dixieland Jazz Talk, Information and Links.
"A FAN'S PERSPECTIVE"
Doing our share to keep it alive!
Scroll down for picture pages and new information!
TRAD.Jazz links and Band links in their own pages
*****
But
!!!!!
First, please sign our Guest book,
here!(After signing use the back button on your browser a couple of times to get back to this page)
5/13/2008
In a recent Guestbook entry and some recent conversations I have been accused (be it in a nice way), of not doing my job!
In Part the entry in my Guestbook says,
“ we need some updates on this page... Right??????”
(You know who you are that said that!)
Hmm, ok already!
Well, we went to the Fresno “Sounds of Mardi Gras” February 7-11 and as always the Fresno Dixieland Society Organizers and Volunteers did their flawless-outstanding job they are known for!
The Band lineup is always great.
If you haven’t been to one of these you missed a GREAT festival held at the Radisson Hotel.
But there is next year we hope!
Next we attended JAZZAFAIR 2008 in Three Rivers California, wonderful as always but different for us!
In the past (24 years) we had our Alpenlite Fifthwheel trailer to go there, but now trailerless, we Motelled it!
Still great but not quite what we have been used to for years.
Great band lineup as always and a new great band first time on the West Coast named,Barbary Coast from Saint Paul Minnesota.
http://www.barbary-coast.com/
About the Three Rivers Jazzaffair in general there is nothing I can add to anything I have said in the past, or anything to the pictures that you can look up further below in this page!
IT WAS GREAT AS ALWAYS!
http://www.jazzaffair.info/
Yesterday we came home after an absolute Lovely weekend.
For one thing, celebrating Mothers day on Sunday, but also attending a GREAT one day Jazz Festival on Saturday May 10!
Every year, the San Clemente Rotary in conjunction with the City hosts the Dixieland Jazz Festival to raise funds for local charities and scholarships. With an all-star lineup of some of the best Dixieland Jazz Bands this” Dixieland Jazz By the Sea” festival is a must for any jazz lover!
Check their website for next year!
http://www.sanclementerotary.org/
Here is how it went:
We arrive on Friday at the motel who also sponsors the event (and has special Jazz rates), and we spend the evening at our most favorite “hangout” Fisherman’s Restaurant and Bar on the right side of the pier. http://www.fishermansrestaurant.com/default.asp who is also a sponsor of the festival!
They are located on both sides of the pier and built over the beach and the surf! A Lovely place to spend an evening! We also go there on Sunday morning to get-together with our family to celebrate Mothers day on the left side of the pier where they serve a super brunch!
Now about the Jazz by the Sea Festival!
It is great, cozy, well organized, great reasonable priced food, and excellent venues in 3 rooms and the bands and sound system are excellent!
Besides the many excellent Jazz Bands that we have known for years, there was in the lineup, a band I had not heard of before (I thought)
The name of the Band sounded familiar but didn’t register with me at that moment.
Here is why:
A couple of weeks ago I received an e-mail from someone I didn’t know asking the following question-
“Hello: What would it take to get our picture and band on your advertising page of bands. Our web site is: www.southburgundystreetjazzband.com Many Thanks, Mike Olson”
I answered Mike saying it would take either $10.000 or an entry in My Guestbook, his choice, (why doesn't anybody sign my guestbook unless I threaten them?),he chose to sign my guestbook, but his Band picture was already installed on my page by then anyway.(no charge of course)
So sitting at the festival, the band name sounded familiar and half way into the set it finally dawned on me why!
Looking at the picture on the program and at the band in front I saw, playing the clarinet, the above mentioned Mike Olson!
The only reason I went through this lengthy explanation is that in my humble opinion this J.B. is made up of a group of OUTSTANDING musicians and in my opinion a super-super sounding band!
But judge for your self, my prediction is that they will be everywhere soon!
So Mike and gang, here again is your picture!
Hope to see you again soon!
From Arcadia California!
Click picture to go to their web site.
Cornet:C.J. Sams,Trombone:Robert Butler,Piano:Pat Aranda,
Clarinet+Soprano Sax: Mike Olson,Banjo: Jim Jones,Tuba:Buddy Apfel,
Drums: Jon Lundgren
Being fond of wine, I pronounced their name like the wine but it is Burgundy! :-)
Next up in the Festival department is the 2008 Orange County festival
August 7-8-9-10, 2008 !
Get your badges and information by clicking their logo above!
Next of course the 29th Annual San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival
November 26th-November30th 2008.
America's Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society
San Diego, CA?
Click their Logo above for information !
We will be at both of them, hope to see you there also!
Over and Out,
Jack.
*****
Great news for those of us who loved to see and hear
CHRIS NORRIS!
See how to order a DVD below.
12/12/2006
Just came home from our "Jazzdagen"November 26 through December 11 Hawaii cruise on Holland America's
Ms Zaandam!
Based on past experience with Jazzdagen tours, we had high expectations and we were not disappointed this time around either since everything again went great.
Check-in at the San Diego cruise ship terminal went like well oiled clock work and we were having lunch on the ship about half an hour after arrival at the terminal on Sunday the 26th of November.
By the time the ship left shortly after 5PM, we were unpacked and settled in for the first musical performance of the
High Sierra Jazz Band.
Sunday the 26th through Thursday the 30th was spent "Cruising the Pacific Ocean" and listening to great music by, High Sierra, Coronet Chop Suey, Paris Washboard and the Jazzdagen All-Stars with Nina Ferro along with other activities presented by Holland America Line.
Friday December 1 through Tuesday December 5th we enjoyed bus tours of the various Hawaiian islands arranged by Jazzdagen giving us a great over-view of Hawaii.
Late Tuesday evening the ship past the Kilauea Volcano showing the impressive hot
lava flow into the ocean, and we were on our way back to San Diego.
Wednesday December 6 through Sunday December 11 we again listened to great music and enjoyed the rest of this well organized cruise and the memories!
All in all it was a great trip with few things that could go wrong quickly handled and corrected, in short it was FUN!
I have about 1000 pictures I have to go through (eliminating many):-) and I will be working with a new program to show them, so be patient and check back to see if they are uploaded yet!
It may take a bit of time!
In the mean time, sign my GUESTBOOK please so I know who was there to see them! Be sure and follow the instructions by scrolling down the page before clicking the sign button.
It certainly has been a pleasure meeting old and new friends and hope some of you will enjoy seeing yourself in some of the pictures!
Click for Guestbook here!
(I made it easy to get back to this page!)
1/4/2007
All of the pictures have been uploaded for viewing!
If you have a small screen, I suggest you hit the F11 key on your keyboard first,to enlarge your viewing area. You can later reverse that by again hitting the F11 key.
When you are at the picture page,you will see 12 sets of pictures containing a total of 518 pictures.
Click the set of the pictures you like to see and click "View as slideshow",sit back and watch!
You can set the speed of the slideshow above the pictures.
Come back as many times as you like to view other sets!
I look forward to seeing some comments which you can make under the pictures :-)!
You can also copy pictures and do many other things,just check around,you can't hurt anything!
Have fun,
Jack.
******Click here to see the 2005 Fresno and other festival pictures
Click Logo
for info!
It is great fun and superbly arranged.
*****For the August 2004 Orange County Classic Jazz Festival!
pictures and report click here!
Click the logo below for the 2008 Orange County festival information!
Are you a member of,
America's Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society
San Diego, CA?
If not, become one and click their Logo above for information about them!
Also find out about the famous Thanksgiving Festival!
Click the logo below
for,
*****Would you like to hear GREAT music?
Click here, to hear track 15 of High Sierra's JUBILEE CD.
If Yes,
HSJB CD sales are available @, http://www.highsierrajazzband.com/
Permission granted by Pieter Meijers
*****
After reviewing my reports and pictures of past events further down this page,
I am sure you want to be present at the next one in 2006!
So come back here and click the above logo to find out all about April 2006!
******
Support Radio Station 
by joining them as a member!
Live Internet Radio
******
1/14/2004
REPORT ON THE 31st
Held in, THREE RIVERS, CALIFORNIA
On April 2,3, 4, 2004
******
What can I say that I haven't said before about this festival?
The weather was beautiful, the food and drink that the Lion's provided was
as great as always, and the music was super!
Several special events we were able to attend were also great.
One in particular, was the Kirk Clague Exeter High Jazz Band!
They did an outstanding job, and it is good to see such a large group of young people not only sounding great but having a good time besides!
It makes you realize that there are a lot of young people with potential to do great things for this country!
Three Rivers also hosted a Car Show in the parking lot of the Village Market. Just a great atmosphere all around!
Check area news and the new Kaweah Kam here!
The Kaweah Commonwealth.
Uptown Lowdown--Raisin Babies --Papa bear & Co.
(Check their web sites!)
Welcome, the more the merrier!
Yes, if you read this, and have seen this year's and past years reviews and pictures below, it will be difficult for you not to come and see for yourself!.
So have fun looking at the 58 pictures I have posted.
(I had a horrible time getting them there)
Should you want a picture of a particular situation let me know.
Click for 2004 Pictures!
******
We were unfortunately unable to attend or report on the 2003 festival!
******
4/20/2002REPORT ON THE
29th
Held in THREE RIVERS, CALIFORNIA
On April 12,13, 14, 2002
******
QUESTION!
Why is the wordso perfect to describe the Three Rivers Festival?
ANSWER!
Because it is not just another Trad.jazz festival, it is instead "an Affair" consisting of many many factors blended together!
Sure, the great performances of the various JB's is an important BIG part of the festival, but there are so many other factors that make this festival the AFFAIR it is.
In the 17 years we have attended each year had it's unique character.
Last year and some other years it included weather we don't easily forget, but this year it could not have been better!
Besides Jazz, the affair includes the people you meet and see year after year, the beauty of the area, the sound of the frogs and peepers in the early evening,the birds soaring overhead, the hard work of all the volunteers who make this happen, the wildlife you can spot, the wildflowers and blooming trees, the fresh air, the cute shops like, The Dolls Nest or, Nature dome and great restaurants downtown Three Rivers, and of course the great and entertaining work of the Band members who wear them self out trying to please everyone with their music and fun things.
I could probably go on finding many other facts that make the Three Rivers Festival such a great AFFAIR!.
But instead, I took some pictures that I think will give someone who has never been to this festival a pretty good idea of what they have been missing!
Sure, I can't provide the sounds of the birds, the aroma of beans cooking to perfection starting as early as 8am, or the barbecues and flowering bushes and trees, but I hope you get the idea and come to see for yourself!
Click for 2004 Pictures!
Have fun!
********
********
Some other FESTIVALS
Click Brochures for info.America's Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society
San Diego, CA.
*****
******
4/11/2001
REPORT ON THE
28th
Held in THREE RIVERS, CALIFORNIA
On April 6,7, 8, 2001
******
Gosh, were do we start?
As reported in prior festival reports, (still listed below, in case you didn't read them,)
Three Rivers easily qualifies as one of the most beautiful places to hold a Jazz Festival!
Not only that, but the preparations by the STJC, for this event, (in my opinion,)
were outstanding!
Additionally, the Three Rivers Lions Club and the Community of Three Rivers and their volunteers again showed their capability of making their visitors feel welcome!
TO ALL OF THEM A GREAT BIG
"THANK YOU".
After 19 years of attending this festival in our Fifth wheel, Evelyn and I are equipped for pretty near any kind of conditions. (So we thought!) :-) We have thermal underwear, boots, sweat suits, umbrellas, rain gear, bailing buckets, emergency rations, extra blankets and many other handy gadgets.
Well, we used almost all of them!
The weather forecast we knew was for RAIN, but 3 1/2 inches in one day??
All areas of traffic became mud,
the roping area where cars are normally parked was closed so it wouldn't be ruined, people were slipping and sliding all over, and a few RV's left.
It is my understanding that the new tent venue became a 4th river for a while!
(The ever able Lions came to the rescue to dig ditches around the tent).
But, the Bands played on, and the fans kept coming and stayed to hear the great music they played until the bitter end. (Which wasn't all that bitter really.)
The Lions club members assisted with their reasonably priced bar, good food and hot drinks.
Again, GREAT JOB!
Indeed the weather didn't cooperate on Saturday, but Sunday was fine!
In all the years we have been there, this was only the 3rd or 4th time that the weather did not completely cooperate but, for all those years Three Rivers has has provided us with its own special beauty!
While in Three rivers, we always like to see the local shops and have an outstanding lunch at our favorite restaurant, The Gateway! We thought we had seen most of the shops in town until we visited
"The Doll Nest"! What a superb surprise! Hundreds and hundreds of Russian and other nesting dolls, unique statues, little fountains etc. The place is owned by two sisters, Berta Geertsen and Marilyn Mitchell. I took a few pictures there, check them out and see if you don't agree that the display is awesome! Click here for their web site.
The Scheduled Bands, listed in alphabetical order,
(certainly not in order of greatness as they were all great)!
- Blue Street Jazz Band
- Chicago Six Jazz Band
- Gator Beat
- Grand Dominion Jazz Band
- High Sierra (Host Band)
- Jean Kittrell & the St Louis Rivermen
- Night Blooming Jazzmen
- Wooden Nickle Jass Band
**They are all to be complimented for performing like there was no rain, cold, wind or problems!**
Thursday night was the Lions recognition dinner, a pre-Jazzaffair dinner-concert to honor Three Rivers residents for exemplary community service. The music was provided by the High Sierra rhythm section, led by Pieter Meijers with special guests Night Bloomer Chet Yeager and Grand Dominion's Jimmy Armstrong. Great combination.
Now lets go to the important stuff,
"THE BANDS".
There really isn't much I can add to what I have already said about them somewhere else below in this page, except they were all great!
I will however comment on some observations at this festival.
Again, in alphabetical order:
- Blue Street Jazz Band
- Chicago Six Jazz Band
- Gator Beat
- Grand Dominion Jazz Band
- High Sierra Jazz Band
- Jean Kittrell & the St Louis Rivermen
- Night Blooming Jazzmen
- Wooden Nickle Jass Band
The "old" people are always great, but what about those young ones???? What talent! Both the Jason's, Nathan and Bobby, are outstanding.... and so young! There is a future through them for this great music, and to paraphrase Dave Ruffner, we should listen to their interpretation of this music (with pleasure Dave) and they will play it also the way we are used to hearing it! "That's the way it works" according to Dave! You are so right!
Did you hear Sherri and Jason (Piano) do that Billie Holiday tune? I am not sure of the title (God bless the child??) It was beautiful, brought tears to your eyes! What a voice and what a piano player.
Super great JB.
They have a new web site, http://www.bluestreetjazzband.com/
What can you say that hasn't been said already about them? Great music and Bob Finch's jokes are improving!
Something refreshingly new to add to the Jazz fest we have been used to. They combine Cajun, Zydeco and New Orleans funk rhythms making the joint, (tent or Lion's building) jump "with a beat that bites"! Great group of people that really know how to play this exciting sound.
Always great, although we will miss seeing and hearing Mike Fay with the Golden Eagles as he is now a permanent member of Grand Dominion he told me.
Better and better all the time! (if that is possible.) Love their CD with the picture of Pieter and Bryan tied up for the time being!
Always great, always entertaining and what a great Lady she is! "Red" Lehr the Sousaphone player is pretty amazing and funny too!
A new face among them.. Can you really play two saxophones at the same time? I guess Jim Richardson can!
I have said so many nice things about them in past reports that are listed somewhere below, that adding more compliments might go to their heads! I will say this though,Brady and Bonnie are sure great!
Last but not least, outstanding performance by David Hull throughout the festival!
*****
I get many e-mails requesting information on where to buy High Sierra JB tapes and CD's and since there is no Web site for the Three Rivers Jazzaffair that I know of, I suggest you call,
(559) 561 4549
or
(559) 561 4418
for information.
Their mailing address is, Sierra Traditional Jazz Club. PO Box 712,
Three Rivers, CA 93271-0712.
Also,High Sierra JB. has a web site at, http://www.highsierrajazzband.com/
After many TradJazz program changes over the years, they still had a Traditional Jazz program starting at 6 am. on Sundays! (Who was up at that time?)
Now they have totally eliminated any Trad Jazz programs.
I like many others am VERY unhappy about their gradual "TradJazz disappearing act" over the past 10 years and have dropped our membership!
Why don't you email them if you are unhappy about it also!
I did twice and never received an answer.
They will no longer receive my support either!
You can find their website and e-mail address Here!
*****
****
As the date above indicates, it is now May 24th, and I am going to talk about a great Jazz festival we attended!....
....Which was, the 26th
held in the "Land of Giants", Gateway to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks,....Three Rivers California on April 9-10-11-99.Yes I know, it was well over a month ago, so why so late talking about it?
Well, we just got home from there, (200 miles), which fact prompted Bob Williams from the great Wooden Nickel Jass Band to comment in an email,.... "My, you sure drive slowly!"
No Bob, we were in Three Rivers in our Alpenlite fifthwheel trailer, and from there we went to Oregon and places in between and now 3000 miles later we are home!
But no matter the delay, the festival and the great lineup of bands is well worth talking about anytime, so here goes!
As we have for the last 15 years, we parked our trailer in the Lions Roping arena 3 day's before the festival and watched over 100 other rv'ers-jazz lovers do the same! We have encountered all kinds of weather there over the years, rain , wind, beautiful spring weather etc. but never has it been as cold as it was this year. We had lots of warm things like thermals and stuff, but we felt sorry for the performers who dressed for the stage! Like Jean Kittrell and the St. Louis Rivermen commented, "It was warmer in St. Louis when we left!"
But they all did great!
What a great wonderful Lady and performer!
We enjoyed the performance of all the members and in particular, David "Red" Lehr who does things with his sousaphone that can't really be done! In addition to the above, the rest of the line up was the usual "Three Rivers" great!
First of, of course the Host Band , the always great High Sierra J. B.! They were even Greater this year due to the addition of two new members. (Well New they are not actually, they are well used in the Trad circles), or should I say sort of old:-)? Whatever they may be called, they are a great addition! First ,due to the retirement of leader Al Smith, the Coronet was replaced by a new leader, named Pieter Meijers and I don't have to tell you how great he is on reeds! He is also the one who sings in Dutch,.. " Louise zit niet op je nagels te bijten,- BAH wat vies Louise. Met al dat gebijt gaan je nagels verslijten, -Bah wat vies Louise. En als ik dat maar geweten had, had ik het toch maar nooit gedaan jabadaba" ......etc, etc! Easy for him to say!! :-) He certainly has added great sound besides Ice Cream! The other great of course is Bryan Shaw - Trumpet. I remember him playing in Newport Beach years ago at a brunch on Sunday morning in a fancy hotel with Chuck Anderson on trombone and Brian was always sleep walking that early in the morning but of course he didn't miss a note!
Yes, this Band is certainly great and now even greater!
Next listed in the line up, Clint Baker's New Orleans J.B. Is there any instrument Clint doesn't play? Fun group of great musicians!
Then there was the Crazy Rhythm Hot Society with of course Miss Kelley Foster! Super roaring 20's Band!
"Prime time with Jan Sutherland". What can you say other than dynamic? Have you ever heard her sing, (no, belt) the Menopause Blues?
Going on with the line up, St. John River Boat Band a fun group from Visalia that started as a youth band at the College of the Sequoias.
Next 10TH avenue J.B, this band plays"hot and cool jazz from the 21st Century" and just look at the talent in this band to know they are good!
Wooden Nickel Jass Band! What can I say to add to what I said 2 years ago somewhere below in this page!(Take me there!)
There really is not much praise I should add! I know Brady and Bonny can handle it but I am not so sure about the guys, it may go to their heads! Brady was great as ever in spite of the cold weather, and boy was Bonnie ever grumpy at 10 am Sunday Morning! Didn't affect her piano playing though! All kidding aside, this band gets better and better all the time!
Yankee Wailers J.B.As many, many times we have seen them, it is always a joy to see and hear them again!
Last but in no way least, Hull's Angels, What a bunch of great young people! I talked about them also 2 years ago,(Take me there!) and this year again they amazed us with their poise, showmanship and ability to play great music. There were some new faces from two years ago , but the older ones help the newer ones toward greatness.
Ed Hull can be found in the audience somewhere during the performance. The kids don't need him because they learned from a Pro!
Thanks Ed, great show!
All in all, it was a great festival.
We got to test the long johns and other cold-wet weather gear us RV'ers carry around with us, and because of the hospitality of the Three Rivers Lions Club, their barbecues and bar facility , and the great music, we didn't worry about a little cold wet weather!
After way too few years of life, and entertaining Jazz fans with her great voice and personality, Chris Norris passed away at a young age, a victim of cancer.
During the short years of her life, Chris sang with the Golden Eagle Jazz Band, who in memory of Chris established a memorial fund for her Daughter, Natalie, now age 6.
Here is the information if you wish to participate.
Looking for another great CD??
Dixiebelle is really popular in the Detroit area and around the Midwest!
The CD is great!
Featuring; Dixiebelle--Vocals, John Ulrich --Piano and John Trudell-trumpet This is a 6 pc band--recorded in 1997 Selections: 1.South Rampart Street Parade 2. Good Ole'Wagon 3.Dr. Jazz 4. Original Dixieland One-Step 5.The Joint Is Jumpin' 6. Trombone Cholly 7.Jazz Me Blues 8. Rose of Washington Square 9.Struttin' with Some Barbecue 10. Please Don't Talk About Me 11.Find Out What They Like 12. Too Busy 13.South 14. Runnin'Wild 15.Gimme A Pig Foot 16. Sweet Georgia Brown
You may order it from: Dixiebelle 6368 Elsey Dr. Troy, MI 48098
CD is $15.00 post paid! cassette is $10,00 post paid!
If you have any questions, please contact Linda Czerniak at e-mail address, czerniak@customnet.net
(Tell them Jack sent you!) :-)
Today Evelyn and I went to our local Trad. Jazz club's monthly concert!
The band that performed, consisted of 18 musicians and their Director. An unusual number of performers for a Dixieland band, but not unusual for a BIG SOUND band which this was!
THEY WERE OUTSTANDING!
Soo outstanding, that Ev and I just had to purchase two of their CD.s to add to our collection!!
The titles, "One more for the road", and "Get it on". We played part of one on the way home and it was just great! If you get a chance, you should go out and listen to this Band and get their CD's!........The name of the band ???........ Oh, it's Jazz Trax! Once you have seen them you will remember that name!
Yes, two of them turned 18 recently!
These young people are so great and seem to have such a good time doing this, you just shake your head and say "what is this world coming to?"
I'll guarantee you with this group nothing but greatness! Their Director Ricki Pederson, volunteers her time, and told us that the band members started off together when they were young :-) , and wanted to stay together, so they volunteer two nights a week, many many hours , days, weeks, in other words they work very, very hard to be this good!
Well it shows, and this group of young people is in great demand to play at festivals and Cruises etc.
These Guys and Gals are just outstanding, you won't believe your ears!
Check them out and congratulate them and their leader,....after you buy their CD's which is what helps support them!
Dr. Jazz!The band lineup was great!
Back to Three Rivers1999
I don't know but they did!
It is like sitting in a concert hall!! If Brady had gotten any closer, I would have lost my grip on the steering wheel!
Back to Three Rivers 1999!
..............................*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*