JULY 15, 2007 — Vol. 26 No. 4 Dixieland Jazz at Club Max in the Double Tree Hotel

1150 9th Street • Modesto

MISSION STATEMENT The purpose of the

MODESTO DIXIELAND 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.

2007 Board Members

President

Mary Menz

1st Vice-President Jeannie Wemken

(Publicity)

2nd Vice-President Margaret Squires (Music Director)

3rd Vice-President

Rozetta McNulty (Membership)

Secretary Jan Leer

Treasurer

Mac McCarter

Members @ Large Deck Hogin

David Livingston Drew Mercer Elinor Purdy

————————————

The Next board meeting will be

Wednesday July 25, 2007, at the Home of

Rozetta McNulty 4330 Hwy 108, Riverbank

7:00 PM

All Members Welcome.

The Yosemite Jazz Band was born in 1994 in the mountain communities surrounding Yosemite National Park. Berl Howell, our bandleader, approached reed player Ted Strauss and drummer Jim Kirin about forming a Dixieland jazz band. Other local musicians were sought and it wasn't long before the band was rolling. The newly formed band began performing at the Pizza Factory in Oakhurst, California and the band has been playing there ever since. The band quickly gained a loyal following and many other gigs ensued.

You can always see the band perform every Thursday night at the Pizza Factory, from 6:30 PM through 8:30 PM, beginning the first week in May through

September.

Over the years the band has seen many changes, most n o t a b l y through the passing of our dear friends who once were valued and entertaining members of the band. The band, however, quickly attracted new members, including Pat Mierkey on trombone, Jeff Gurule on banjo and guitar, James Mierkey on piano, and Larry Vaccaro on tuba. The band is sounding it's best yet.

The band's repertoire includes an entertaining blend of Dixieland jazz, early swing, gospel, and traditional jazz favorites.

The cu r ren t band members are:

Berl Howell — Trp/Flugelhorn / Vocals / Leader; Ted Strauss — Reeds / Vocals; Jim "Drummerman" Kirin — Percussion; Pat Mierkey — Trombone / Double-Belled Euphonium / Vocals; Jeff Gurule — Banjo / Tenor Guitar / Vocals; James Mierkey — Piano / Vocals; Larry Vaccaro — Tuba; Gary Smalz - Piano / Bass

The Modesto Dixieland Jazz Society would like to thank member

Charlotte Barrett-White.

As part of her membership renewal, Charlotte included a donation to both the General fund, and the Youth Band Scholarship fund.

YOUR NAME HERE!YOUR NAME HERE!

Help support the

MODESTO DIXIELAND JAZZ SOCIETY

by placing an advertisement for

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Modesto Dixieland Jazz Society

Annual Membership includes subscription and postage to the monthly newsletter, Jazzette.

FAMILY $25 SINGLE $15

NEW RENEWAL CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Date: _______________ Name: ___________________________________ Address: _________________________________ City: __________________ State: ____________ Zip: ___________ Phone: ___________________ E-Mail: __________________________________

I am enclosing an additional $_______ for the MDJS General Fund.

I am enclosing an additional $_______ for the Youth Band Scholarship Fund.

I am interested in volunteering for Club functions.

PLEASE MAIL TO: MDJS c/o Rozetta McNulty

4330 Highway 108 Riverbank, CA 95367

Thank you for your help in keeping Traditional Jazz alive!

Jazzette Advertising Rates:

$10 = 1/8 page (business card) $20 = 1/4 page $30 = 1/2 page $60 = full page Annual rate = 10 months paid, plus 2 months free

All ad fees are to be paid in advance.

The American Rag newspaper is providing a two month free subscription for each new MDJS membership, and a certificate for a 4 month subscription to be offered as a raffle prize.

ATTENTION JAM MUSICIANS! First jam set at 12:00 noon is open for all. 2nd & 3rd jam sets are restricted for up to 8 assigned musicians per set.

For more information contact: Margaret Squires, 526-3376 or

E-mail: saxymargeaux@sbcglobal.net

Thanks to all of our June Jammers for sharing their time

and talent.

Jammers Corner

Many thanks to Hal Needham and Black Tuesday Jazz Band for their entertainment last month. I received a nice thank you letter from Hal that said in part "The Band had fun and was pleased to see the dancers keeping the dance floor busy during the afternoon. Please let your members know how much the band appreciated their wonderful reception." He's already asked to set a date for next year.

I don't know about you, but I tend to find music in strange places. I played a concert in the park in Ceres the end of June. Most of the band went for pizza after the concert at the Round Table at Hatch and Mitchell Roads. We had been there for about an hour and a half when a bunch of boisterous men walked in. They were obviously in the same group and had a wonderful time. After consuming their pizzas, one of the men approached our table and asked if we would be offended if they sang a bit. Of-fended??? By Barbershop Music?? No way. So they entertained us with about eight or ten tunes. What a won-derful sound. Turns out it was the Golden Valley Barber-shop Chorus and the last Tuesday of the month is pizza night after rehearsal. So if you fancy Barbershop Music, check out that Round Table on the last Tuesday of the month. You might find an informal concert at your table.

We have a new band visiting us this month. They were recommended to me by a member of our jazz society and are excited about playing for us. The band's banjo player had unfortunate accident a month ago. He fell down a mountain and broke a bunch of bones. Hopefully he will make a full recovery. Not to worry though, the banjo chair will be filled by local banjo artist Kurt Abell.

In case any of you haven't heard, the Creole Jazz Kings have reunited and will play their first gig at Tailgaters (used to be Kenny's Pagoda) on McHenry. Unfortunately, by the time you read this, it will be too late to catch the first performance on July 9th. But they will be performing the next three Monday evenings from 6 to 9. Tailgaters offers some N'awlins food such as gumbo and jambalaya. Check them out. The Creole Jazz Kings will also perform at the Barkin' Dog Grill, 940 11th Street, in Modesto, on July 28th. I am not sure of the time, but call the Dog and make a reservation! I'll see you there!

A Lagniappe From Lady Reed

Ballroom Dancing Dance to live music the 1st and 4th Saturday of each month with the Ballroom Dance Club, at the corner of Bodem Street and Scenic Drive in Modesto. Ages 16+ are welcome. Dress to impress!

• Lessons 6:45-7:45 pm (most nights), $1 more • Dancing from 8-11 pm

Members: $5 Non-Members: $8

For more information call (209) 634-8986 or (209) 526-8986

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.

MARY MENZ President P.O. Box 576123 Modesto, CA 95354 (209) 522-1571

Send news items to the JAZZETTE the last week of the month to appear in the coming issue. Mail to... MODESTO DIXIELAND JAZZ SOCIETY

P.O. Box 576123 Modesto, CA 95357

Or e-mail to jazzette@dixielandgumbo.com

MODESTO DIXIELAND JAZZ SOCIETY CALENDAR

July — Yosemite Jazz Band Aug — Fulton Street

Sept — Modesto Junior College Night Jazz Band Oct — Ernie Bucio Little Big Band

Monthly Trad Jazz Schedule 1st Sunday: Stockton Jazz Society -- Elk's Lodge 2nd Sunday: Sacramento Jazz Society, Dante Club; www.sacjazz.org Fresno Jazz Society -- Venues vary; Call (559) 292-3999 3rd Sunday: Modesto Jazz Society, Double Tree Hotel 4th Sunday: South Bay Jazz Society, Elk's Lodge, Palo Alto

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2007 — 12:00 TO 5:00 PM DOUBLE TREE HOTEL — CLUB MAX

The deadline to submit news/ads for the next issue of the newsletter is August 1st.

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