FEBRUARY 2016 VOLUME 48 • NO. 1

2016 Sac. Music Festival info .......................2Ad rates ............................................................2Election Results .......................................... 3,5Elks Lodge #6 – info/directions ....................2In Loving Memory ........................................14In the Months Ahead .....................................2Jazz Sunday Notes The Cricket ...................6–9 Membership application .............................14Music Lesson Awards ......................................5Musicians from Dec. Jazz Sunday .................5Notes From the Office Tom Duff .....................2President’s Message Dave Becker ...................3Publisher of Am Rag retires Yvonne Au ......13Raffle Cent$ Kathy Becker ................................3“Rent Party” bands/musicians .............10-11TNT / Music Lesson Award info .....................3

Newsletter of the Sacramento Traditional Jazz SocietySTJS is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of traditional jazz music. New addr: 1030 North D Street • Sacramento, CA 95811 • (916) 444-2004 • www.sacjazz.org

“Jazz Sunday” info ➤ pg. 2

(cont. on pg. 11)

Jazz Sunday photos on pg. 6–7, and pg. 11

Thanks to the 11th annual Trad. Jazz Youth Band Festival at Sac State,

with its talented group of educators and mentors for the next generation of trad jazz musicians, STJS will have access to an all-star ensemble that’s been flown in from cities across the country. They put on a great show each year, with lots of laughs and upbeat music for dancing. We truly appreciate the STJS Founda-tion for making it possible. Learn more about the band (alphabetical order):

BILL DENDLE, T-bone/Guitar/BanjoBill began playing banjo in 1963, and by 1967 he performed at Mickie Finn’s in San Diego as leader of the South Market Street Jazz Band. Bill was the lead ban-joist at Capone’s Warehouse in Monte-rey for nine years. 1977 found Bill as an entertainment consultant, banjoist, trombonist, bandleader and entertainer at Florida’s Disney World, where he opened on the Empress Lilly Showboat. In late 1977 he revived

Sac. Music Fest.Get your Early Bird

Discount tickets while they last!

$110 ( Will be $125)

March 13 Jazz SundayMoonlight Swing Big Band This popular band takes you back to the 1930s and ‘40s, as each performance is a living- history experience with emphasis on the music of bandleader Glenn Miller, including his famous Army Air Forces stateside service band!

Feb. 14: all-star Clinicians Bandin town for Valentine’s Day!

PeterPetty

Dec. 13

2 Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016

STJS Executive Director: Tom Duff

STJS OFFICERS President: Dave Becker Vice President: Dennis Speciale Secretary: Beth Scott Treasurer: Dennis Grimes Ex Officio: Steve Hammond Past Pres.: Ron Jones

BOARD MEMBERS MUSICIAN: NON-MUSICIAN: Vivian Lee Todd Bibby Todd Morgan Joe Cruz Dominic Ruggieri Jeff Hedrick Zack Sapunor Lyle Van Horn Vanna Turner The Board of Directors meet at the STJS Office at 6:00 pm on the Monday one week after the monthly Jazz Sunday; open to the public. (Day subject to change.)

STJS FOUNDATION President: Dr. William AuSTJSF: P. O. Box 661763 • Sacramento, CA 95866

AATJ STAFFWriting/photos/illust./coord./production:

Nancy Giffin — editor@sacjazz.org

Contributors:Yvonne Au, Kathy Becker, Tom Duff, Dave Becker, Paula

Dula, Judy Hendricks, Patti Jones, Jane Reinmuth, and our advertisers.

Advertising (full-color):AD DEADLINE: 15th day of prior month

AD SIZE RATE VERTICAL HORIZ. Full-pg. $ 150. ➔ 7.5” x 10” – Half-pg. $ 75. ➔ 3.6” x 10” 7.5” x 4.8” Third-pg. $ 52.50 ➔ 2.5” x 10” 7.5” x 3.6” Qtr.-pg. $ 37.50 ➔ 3.6” x 4.8” 7.5” x 2.5” Bus. card $ 15. ➔ – 3.6” x 2.3”

Ads can be sent in .PDF or .JPG format.

In the Months Ahead

MUSIC from 12 noon to 5:00 pm

DIRECTIONS:Elks Lodge #6 6446 Riverside Blvd. Sac., CA 95831West of I-5 at Florin Rd. & Riverside Blvd.

PUBLISHINGAnd All That Jazz is published monthly, except Jan-uary, by the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society: 1030 N. D Street; Sacramento, CA 95811.

SUMMARY The Sac. Trad. Jazz Society is a non-profit orga-nization established under 501(c)(3) of the Inter-nal Revenue Code for the purpose of educating the public and members on matters concerning the preservation and promotion of traditional jazz music, and the study and play of musical instru-ments associated with traditional jazz music.

“JAZZ SUNDAY” Monthly “Jazz Sunday” typically occurs on the 2nd Sunday, at ELKS #6, 6446 Riverside Blvd., Sac., CA 95831. This official meeting is open to all STJS members and to the general public.

ADMISSION Admission to “Jazz Sunday” is by donation of $8 for members, $10 for non-members. Persons under 12 are admitted free. Youth 12-20 (members) $5, youth 12-20 (non-members) $7.

GOLD CARD AUDITIONS Auditions held twice a year: Mar. & Oct., morn-ing of “Jazz Sunday.” Applications are available from the Gold Card Coordinator, to be completedone month before the audition. For info: 444-2004.

2nd Sunday Feb. 14 – TJYBF Clinicians Band, all-star musicians including Bob Draga, the Midiri Bros., and more

Mar. 13 – Moonlight Swing Big Band, from Sacramento

Notes From the Officeby Tom Duff STJS EXEC. DIREC TOR

< to m @ s a c j a z z . co m >

STJS Office 1030 N. D Street (as of Dec. 2015)

Sacramento, CA 95811(916) 444-2004 FAX: 444-2060 info@sacjazz.org www.sacjazz.org

We are pressing along planning the 2016 Sacramento Music Festi-

val. Much of our talent has been booked with more to come. We currently have contracts with:

Tom Rigney and Flambeau, Lisa Haley and the Zydekats, Zydeco Flames, High Street Jazz Band, Peter Petty, Crescent Katz, Midnight Rose Jazz Band, Stephanie Trick and Paolo Double Trio with Danny Coots and Marty Eggers, Mumbo Gumbo, On Air, Todd Morgan and the Emblems, Beth Duncan Quintet, Fulton Street Jazz Band, Joy and Madness, Mick Martin and the Blues Rockers, as well as Dave Bennett and the Memphis Speed Kings. As one of our headliners, we will have jazz legend Pablo Cruise! We are working on many more as well, and you will see those on the website: www.sacmusicfest.com

Now for the bad news: I was notified yesterday that the site known as “River Front Refuge” will not be available this year. The City of Sacramento will be starting renovation work on the bike path and boardwalk in Old Sacramento and will be using this area for equipment staging. I am in the process of looking for another location and have some

other locations in mind. Rest assured, we will have an additional location for our music.

We are going to participate in the St. Patricks Day Parade in Old Sac-ramento again this year. The parade is March 12th at 1pm. This event is always fun, so come out and support STJS — or march with us if you feel like it.

This year, we will be participating in a Barnes and Noble book fair. If you purchase a book during the dates of March 9th though March 12th, part of the proceeds will go to STJS. On March 9th, our own TNT band will be performing from 7 to 8:30 pm at the Barnes and Noble in Roseville.

Coming again this year is our par-ticipation in the “Big Day of Giving” (a.k.a. Big DoG). Now in our third year, we will have some lofty goals, so please participate if at all possible. Last year, the board was not involved until the very last minute, but they will be involved much earlier this year. I have plans to devote a large part of the next board meeting to “Big Day of Giving.” If you have strong feelings about their involve-ment, please email board@sacjazz.com and ask them to become involved in this very important fundraiser.

43rd annual

May 27–30, 2016Memorial Day Weekend

(next page)

3 Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016

President’s Messageby Dave Becker STJS PRESIDENT

< d ave @ s a c j a z z . co m >

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year. What a year! I just cannot believe it went so fast. We

had a great 2015 Sacramento Music Festival with awesome musicians and performers. Then we got notified that we had to move the warehouse to a new location because the leas-ing company sold the building. We didn’t have to move very far: 1030 N. D Street, Sacramento, CA 95811. Please make a note of this new address. Same phone: (916) 444-2004. I want to thank all the volunteers, especially Christy Pierson (she was there every day working and moving items), John Tillet (also there every day working and moving items), Mary Edna Menezes and her family; Joe Cruz, Jeff Hedrick, Mike Shipman, Todd Bibby, Tom Duff, Dennis Grimes, Vanna Turner, Bob Allshouse, Lyle VanHorn and others that took time out to help us move — thank you so much.

I would like to introduce the 2016 Officers and Board Mem-bers of the Society: Vice President Dennis Speciale; Secretary Beth Scott; Treasurer Dennis Grimes; Board Members Todd Bibby, Joe Cruz, Jeff Hedrick, Vivian Lee, Todd Morgan, Dominic Ruggieri, Zack Sapunor, Vanna Turner, and Lyle Van Horn; Past President Ron Jones, and Ex Officio Steve Hammond of the Sac. Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The Crab & Pasta Feed on Jan. 23 was a success; it made money, and all the comments I received said it was the best Crab & Pasta Feed they have ever been to. Two great bands played: Peter Petty Band and Black Tuesday Jazz Band. I want to thank everyone that attended the fundraiser, and espe-cially want to thank Kathy Becker for all her hard work to make this a very successful Crab and Pasta Feed — and thanks to all of her other volunteers.

The 11th annual Traditional Jazz Youth Band Festival (TJYBF) takes places at Sac State on Saturday, February 13, 2016. This is an all-day event, but if you cannot make it all day, just stop by and stay awhile because you wouldn’t believe these young musicians — they will blow you away — some of the groups sound better than a few professional groups that I have heard. Then on Jazz Sunday, February 14, we will have the 2016 TJYBF Clinicians Band with all-stars Bob Draga, the Midiri Brothers, Greg Varlotta, Eddie Erickson, Bill Dendle, Jason Wanner, Shelley Denny, and Ron Jones, along with some youth bands from the TJYBF: High Altitude Dixieland Jazz Band (Western State CO Univ.) and the Awk-tives (Celia Cottle, Dir.). This should be AWESOME.

Thank you for all your help and support. — Dave 2

Notes ... (Cont.)The new Big DoG website is coming very soon, and I will send out the link to our page in a future communication.

If you did not attend the STJS Crab & Pasta Feed on Jan. 23rd, you missed an awesome event. Kathy Becker did a phe-nomenal job in the planning (as she does every year). This year was tough for all crab feeds with the recent scare, but everyone that attended came away with no side effects, and had plenty to eat and drink.

So in closing, I would like to thank the great volunteers. Without you, we could not do any of our events. Thank You very much! 2

Raffle Cent$by Kathy Becker STJS R AFFLE COORDINATOR

What a great time we had at the Rent Party in January. Attendance was a little better, but we would like to see

more members there. We rely on your attendance to keep the Club alive. It is a fundraiser, not just our monthly meetings. We brought in $353.00 on the Raffle.

We always appreciate our generous donators: Judy Hen-dricks, Warren Mufich, Julia and Dave McAfee, Beth Scott, Igrid Wolbart, and Dominic Ruggieri.

Our big winners were: Anne Cummings, Linda Marti-nez, Mark Henderson, Janet Young, H. Hilbish, Mary Jane Ruggieri, and Tom and Elza Hatais. Congrats to all.

Just a little note, the Crab and Pasta Feed was a success. Thank you all for supporting this event. Everyone had a great time, and we had two fabulous bands for their entertainment. 2

Round Table Pizza(9138 Kiefer Blvd., Sac. 95826)

Monday 6:30–8:30 pm Feb. 29 Apr. 25 May 16

Barnes & Noble (Roseville) 7–8:30 March 9

STJS Jazz Sunday March 13

Straw Hat March 16

Sac. Music Fest. May 27–30

TNT Performances

4 Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016

SACRAMENTO TRADITIONAL JAZZ SOCIETYsacjazz.org

17th annualTRAD. JAZZ CAMP

for ADULTS (ages 18+)

July 24 – 29, 2016

The camps are held at Sly Park Envi-ronmental Education Center, the Sac. County Schools Outdoor Education facility (5600 Sly Park Road; Pollock Pines, CA), about an hour east of Sacramento in the beautiful foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Tuition for Youth Camp 2015 = $650.Tuition for Adult Camp 2015 = $900.

.APPLY ONLINE: http://sacjazzcamp.org/

Rusty Stiers trumpet/cornet Bria Skonberg trumpet/cornet Anita Thomas clarinet and sax Terry Myers clarinet and sax Greg Varlotta trombone Curtis Brengle piano Jason Wanner piano Ed Metz, Jr. drums Nahum Zdybel guitar and banjo Howard Alden guitar and banjo Matt Perrine bass and tuba Shelley Burns vocals

30th Anniversary!TEAGARDEN JAZZ CAMP

for YOUTH (ages 12-18)

August 1 – 7, 2016

Payment plans and scholarships are available, and many jazz societies sponsor students. Contact STJS (916) 444-2004 to help locate a jazz society in your area. For more infor-mation contact Bill Dendle, Camp Director, at: bdendle@comcast.net or (916) 927-5222.

Our camp faculty (subject to change) consists of some of the finest trad jazz players in the country, including:

STJS JAZZ CAMPS

5 Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016

Election ResultsDec. 13, 2015

Thank you to all the STJS members who voted, and thank you to all the STJS members who ran for office this year.

Beth Scott was elected as Secretary. Musician Members Zack Sapunor, Dominic Ruggieri and Todd Morgan were elected. Non-Musician Members Lyle Van Horn and Jeff Hedrick were elected. A special thanks to the Poll Workers: Felix Smith, Beth Smith, Geri Ross, Mary Stewart, Dick Pryor and Larry Frant-zen, for their hard work.

Jazz Sunday Performers Dec. 13, 2015 GOLD CARD ROOM

Trumpet: Jared Blum, Grady Flamm, and Bill Sharp; Trom-bone: Bob Gonzalez, Mike Hudson, Jack Mootz, Jay Paulus; Reeds: Dick Lockwood, Arthur Eriksson, Gene Mondro, Dominic Ruggieri; Piano: Ken Meyers, Frank Lindskoog, Carl Kaiser, Todd Morgan; Strings: Mark Kramer, David Metz, Jan Buhlert; Bass/Tuba: Dave Rees, Alan Ginter, Bill Hoffman, Ray Farley; Drums: Jack Scott, Jim Laveroni, Jim Roberson, Carl Warmdahl; Vocalists: Paula Dula, Bev Ludlow Anderson, Vanna Turner, Gwenetta Brooks, Larry Sikorski, Claude Purcell, Geri Eckert, Harry DuVall, Alan Ginter, Jackie Clauson, Jeanette Hall, Julie Gallaher, Edd Burhans, Clint Ritchie, Todd Morgan, Tressa Dahlberg, Dan Lee, Kate Rees. Paula Dula, Gold Card Room Director

TAILGATE ROOM Welcome to newcomer Jenna Eckard. She was joined by: Trumpet: Grady Flamm, Jared Blum, Jenna Eckard; Trombone: Bob Gonzalez, Jack Mootz, Larry Tyrell; Reeds: Dick Lock-wood, Arthur Eriksson, Nancy Kreis, Gene Mondro; Piano: BillChiechi, Carl Kaiser, Frank Lindskoog, Augie Eriksson, Pat Blucher; Guitar/Banjo: Jimmy Spero, Dave Metz, Ned Poffin-barger, Jan Buhlert; Bass/Tuba: Bill Hoffman, Dave Sieber, Mike Melnikov; Drums: Greg Ayala, Bill Cheichi, Bill Cham-berlain, David Rees, Garrett Frazier; Rich Kreis; Vocalists: Claude Purcell, Bev Ludlow-Anderson, Bill Relffy, Dan Lee. Jane Reinmuth, Edd Burhans, Bev Ludlow – Co-Directors Grady Flamm, Garrett Frazier – Assistants

Music Lesson Awardsby Patti Jones STJS EDUC ATION COMMIT TEE CHAIR

17 students receive free private music lessons

On Jan. 10, STJS awarded certificates worth $300 each in ..private music lessons to 17 local students. The Music

Lessons Award (MLA) program of STJS is administered by the STJS Education Committee and funded through the STJS Foundation. MLA Committee Chair Elinor Hackett pre-sented the awards on stage at the January STJS Jazz Sunday (which was the 18th annual “Rent Party”).

The 2015-16 MLA recipients were selected from 24 appli-cants, each of whom submitted an application, brief bio, and note of recommendation from their teacher. Award recipients have until the end of 2016 to redeem their certificates. See page 11 for photo of nine recipients. Awards were presented to:

Casey Bruce, age 10, tromboneDevon Hernandez, age 11, trumpet/bassFreda Garrett, age 12, clarinetSara Haley, age 12, Bari/tromboneBreanna Haley, age 12, fluteAnnette Griffin, age 13, saxophoneJaelin Johnson, age 13, trumpetMichelle Kamyshin, age 13, clarinetDa’Von Stallings, age 13, clarinetAloni Whiteman, age 13, trumpetJason Wilson, age 13, clarinet/bass clarinetZoe Devine, age 14, trumpetBrian Ross, Jr., age 14, trumpetKelsey Smith, age 14, vocals, teumpetBreanna Bell, age 15, saxophoneRay Freeman, age 15, saxophoneEvan Hughes, age 15, saxophone

Stained Glass Artistry Supports “Up Close”

A melding of jazz and stained glass artistry supports the “Up Close and Personal” fundraiser for the Trad Jazz

Youth Band Festival (TJYBF). For the second year in a row, Granite Bay jazz supporter Ron Muth was the highest bidder for Vern Delk’s stained glass panel at the December fundraiser concert. Delk became inspired by a poster for the Sun Valley festival. This gave him the idea of depicting a jazz musician, shown in an abstract manner. The first one artwork was of a saxophone player (2010), and the most recent project (2014), which Vern generously donated in support of the 2016 TJYBF, features another saxophone player wearing a red-banded fedora. It is one of 50 panels in Vern’s jazz series. For his donations, we express our gratitude, and personally wish Vern the very best, as he is undergoing extensive medical treatment.

6 Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016

LOWER ADMISSION at Jazz Sundays! $8 / $10

I am sorry to start with wrenching news, but some of you may not have heard that we lost both Jim Fusaro and Bev Gunter in the last two months—dreadful losses for our Jazz family. Bev had been failing for several years, while Jim sang at the November Jazz Sunday. Both made huge contributions to STJS over the years. Bev was proud of being “The Parking B*tch.” Jim was pretty much the face of the Jubilee, having been the drum major for the Parade for several years. We are very, very sad at the passing of each of them. Condolences to their families and loved ones.

December 13, 2016Peter Petty & His Titans of Terpsichore

The December “dance” had the best turnout in many months, thanks in large part to Peter Petty, a non-stop energy machine.

He went above and beyond his contract, and brought His [14-piece] Titans of Terpsichore, which includes STJS Members Dave John-son, Justin Au, Brandon Au, Otis Morning, Bonnie Otto, Alan Parks and (newly-elected STJS Board Member) Zack Sapunor.

And Byron Colborn is a beneficiary of our youth jazz educa-tion programs (years ago). The ones we didn’t know before were Adrian Coulson, Arlyn Anderson, Peter Philis, Sasha Tkacheff and Dana Moret. (Mick Martin fans know Dana as a previous vocalist for the Blues Rockers.) Petty frequently channels Cab Cal-loway, but he can also throw in “I’m An Old Cowhand” or “Viper’s Drag” or “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” He was a blast!

Dancers Stacey and Mike said they love Peter Petty, and the band matches his skill level. They thought our expanded dance floor was smooth and clean, and a nice size. Check it out!

The New Traditionalists (TNT) started the Main Stage – Olivia Flournoy, Jerod Eastlick, Christine Chapa, Breanna Rodgers, Gabriel Carpenter, Parker Weis and Gabriel Anuszczyk, led by TNT alumni Nolan Cyr. Nolan and Parker had fun exchanging verbal barbs. [We’ve taught them more than just music.]

MC Barbara Paulus read a lovely tribute to Boy Singer Jim Fusaro before turning the stage over to Charlie Gehlbach. Since it wasn’t completely Jay Paulus Society Band OR Dr. Bach and the Jazz Practitioners, Gehlbach came up with a sort of goofy name for his Set 3 jam – The Swinger Dingers. Besides Charlie and Jay, it had Parker Weis, Jim Elsaas, Jerry Lopes, Bill Chi-echi and Angela Elsaas. “Am I Blue?” is one of moi’s favorite songs, thinking back to Rita Coolidge’s version in the ‘70’s.

Jazz Sunday Notes By “The Cricket”

[who is NOT the AATJ editor]

Dec. 13, 2015PETERPETTY

and His Titansof Terpsichore

Peter Petty’sparents, Jack & Carolyn

DanaMoret

7 Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016

We apologize for the scheduling goof that gave us a shorter than usual day. Rats, just when we were having so much fun. We were able to stretch just a little by announcing the Election Results, fol-lowed by the Raffle, with Kathy Becker’s fun gift-wrapped prizes.

Apparently it takes an election to get Geri Ross out to Jazz. She was one of our poll workers, and has done many other jobs over the years. Come to think of it, the same can be said of Mary and Dick, and Larry, and the Smiths. Volunteers now and forever!

Sandi Redenbach and her husband Ken Gelatt are good friends of Pat and Bob Gonzalez. Sandi was their daughter’s high school teacher. And at Jazz they ran into a dear friend from 30 years ago, Carol Fusaro!

Linda Martinez was prancing around in a tricked-out reindeer antler headdress she found at Rite Aid. Did you see what I did there? Reindeer. Prancing. Prancer. Right? Get it? Should I fire my gag writer?

Let’s repair to the Tailgate. Set 1 was a combo, with Bill Chi-echi on piano, Jimmy Spero on guitar, Bill Hoffman on bass and Greg Ayala on drums. Claude Purcell and Bill Relffy were the vocalists. And then Chiechi moved to drums for Set 2, with Jared Blum, Bob Gonzalez, Dick Lockwood, Ned Poffinbarger, Dave Sieber and Carl Kaiser. Bev and Poffinbarger were the vocalists.

TG 3 was Blum, Jack Mootz, Gene Mondro, Frank Lindskoog, Dave Metz, David Rees and Bill Chamberlain. TG Assistants Grady Flamm and Garrett Frazier were on TG 4, with Gonzalez, Arthur and Augie Eriksson, Jan Buhlert and Mike Melnikov. Dan Lee was the vocalist.

By all reports, TG 5 was one of the best sets of the day, with first-timer Jenna Eckhard on trumpet, Larry Tyrell on trom-bone, Mondro and Nancy Kreis as dual reeds, Pat Blucher (I’m reminded he was seriously ill around this time last year), and Sieber. And – wait for it – Rich Kreis on drums. Rich is the patri-arch of the Kreis Family Circus – but I somehow missed the fact that he’s an actual musician. What a pleasant surprise! Anderson and Lee were the vocalists.

Speaking of the Kreises, Jeff startled his friends with a “legit-imate 1940’s military cut.” He offered to let me touch it. (And Nolan Cyr followed suit with the same style in January. Is this the new thing?)

Arthur Eriksson joined Rich Lockwood as the reed section for Set 1 in the Gold Card Room. They joined Blum, Mootz, Kaiser, Metz, Rees and Jack Scott. And Grady Flamm was the trumpet player for GCR Set 2, and Mootz/Paulus, Eriksson/Mondro, Lindskoot, Hoffman and Jim Laveroni. Dave Reitz was missing from the Vocal Set back-up (continued on page 8)

TNT - The New Traditionalists

8 Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016

band, but Ken Meyers, Alan Ginter and Jim Roberson did their usual excellent job.

` Bill Sharp lead both Set 4 and Set 5, with Carl Kaiser on piano on both. Set 4 had Gonzalez and Lockwood, with Mark Kramer, Ray Farley, Carl Warmdahl and Geri Eckert. Set 5 had Mike Hudson, Dominic Ruggieri, Buhlert, Ginter and Laveroni.

Elks Chaplain Deborah Fairly said her husband, Thomas, just ended a lengthy hospital stay due to esophageal avulsion – very, very serious. We’re glad he’s back at Jazz (enjoying Peter Petty).

Organist Dave Moreno was on hand with flyers for Harmony Winelands’ silent movie night, featuring Moreno on organs, with Matias Bombal. And after that comes January Jazz Sunday.

18th annual RENT PARTYJanuary 10, 2016

It was the annual Rent Party, so the bands are listed elsewhere (along with lots of lovely pictures). I assure you, each and every band was marvelous. We especially appreciated Thomas Banue-los bringing Dixie Dominus all the way from Fremont Christian H.S. for the first Tailgate Set.

And then another of those pesky scheduling goofs almost threw us off our pins. Celia Cottle was accidentally given the wrong performance time, so we had no band for the second set. But wait! Veteran organizers to the rescue – Jill Harper and Dick Lock-wood grabbed Nancy Kreis and Larry Tyrell, Chris Williams, Grady Flamm and Thomas Monce, and voilà – a legitimate Jam Band. And then, the kindest thing – Syncopating Sea-Monkeys and River City Swingers I scrunched up and gave up half of their set so the Awktives could have a chance to play when they arrived. River City Swingers II and TNT finished up the Tailgate sched-ule. As with every Rent Party, the audience in the Tailgate was bigger and more enthusiastic than the other two rooms together. Or at least it seemed that way.

MC Ken McMurray introduced the Crescent Katz for Set 1 on the Main Stage. Sister Swing followed, and then Black Tues-day, Dr. Bach and the Jazz Practitioners, and Midnight Rose Jazz Band. Dannie Balser is so talented on trumpet and vocals, it is only us really old-timers who remember that she started out as a (really good) ragtime pianist.

Dominic Ruggieri, leader of Black Tuesday, was ALSO the leader of Bechet’s Fantasy Band, therefore requiring a little squirming around with that Main Stage/Gold Card schedule. The cross pollination between Dr. Bach and Jay Paulus Society Band also had to be accommodated. Seldom Herd, Hot City and Todd

(cont. from page 7) Morgan and His Jazz Band had stand-alone personnel, thank you very much! In fact, Todd Morgan’s combo of Nolan Cyr, Parker Weis and Jim Laveroni, was fabulous! (Carol Laveroni was expressing some admiration that Jim managed to keep up with the young guys!)

The Bechet Fantasy Band, though, was top of the hill, in my opinion. Just wonderful. Lyrical. Exciting. “Bagatelle.” “Sid-ney’s Wedding Day.” Just WoW. I heard on NPR the other morn-ing that the reason time seems to fly by faster as you get older is not because each year is a smaller fraction of your life (as I had always heard) but because there are fewer new experiences in your life, leading to boredom. Well, if you’re an STJS member/jazz fan, there is ALWAYS something new in your life!

There was a little mix up in the Gold Card Room, too. When it came time to start the music, we discovered that the piano key-board was still locked, and both copies of the key were elsewhere. Sound Tech Norm Echols has one of the copies, but he is still banned from work for a few weeks longer, so he didn’t have it on him, although we were otherwise thrilled that he was there. Lock-picking skills were solicited but the key showed up before any damage was done. Apologies to Parmys Weinberg. She got to play a tambourine for a couple of numbers.

Speaking of Sound Techs, Brady Harris was on Winter Break from Chico State, and showed up at 8:00 a.m. to help set up equip-ment. Ya’ gotta love him.

Elk Dana Schilling was looking for a band for a February dance at the Elks. Towards the end of the afternoon, she said it definitely would be one of the GCR bands. Lots of talent to pick from. Speaking of talent, Elinor Hackett presented Music Lesson Awards mid-afternoon. Tawonna and Robert Johnson were there to see son Jaelin receive his award. He plays trumpet, drums and flute. Former TNT member and music award winner, and Jazz Camper Anthony Coleman II was there in support. Anthony brought his Afrobeat band, Sankofa, to the 2011 Jubilee.

I knew Graham and Charlyn Connor were longtime mem-bers of STJS; I DIDN’T know how rich their history is. They started back when Tom Wallace first gathered up “The Clarksburg Crew.” They worked at Bacchus Theatre, Tootsie’s, Hotel Enter-prise, Old Sac Club, Annabelle’s, Alvernaz Attic, L Street Rendez-vous, the Bistro, Firehouse Lot. Somewhere in there they became Site Managers, and finally they worked behind the scenes at the office. Many hats over the years.

Speaking of hats: The STJS Street Band used to have some really spiffy uniforms for events, including the parade. DO YOU HAVE THOSE UNIFORMS? ESPECIALLY THE HATS? Or do you have a clue who DOES have them? We’ve lost track over the years but NEED them (for a secret project). Call Judy Hendricks at 916.641.5781. Any assistance appreciated. (Cont. on pg. 9)

9 Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016

(continued on page 12)

(Continued from pg. 8) Barbara Rasmusson reported she spent Christmas in Oregon with her son and grandson.

Congratulations are in order for Rio Americano High School’s Mingus Combo, one of only three high school bands nationwide chosen to participate in this year’s Charles Mingus Festival. Rio scored big at the Folsom Jazz Festival recently, too. Also, congrats to Duncan McElman, who was awarded a $1,000 scholarship to the Stanford Summer Jazz program. Further congrats to Parker Weis, Valentina Makovey, Timothy Voet for their awards. (I’m probably missing others. Apologies.) Well done, all!

We had dogs, big and small. Phoebe Rector fit nicely into the bend of Becky Rector’s elbow, while Barkley Maihack is larger than some of the Youth musicians. Carol Fusaro was dog-sitting Barkley while Jim and Wendy Maihack were cruising the Carib-bean with Bob Schulz’ Frisco Jazz Band. Wendy said they ate a LOT, but didn’t gain any weight. (I’ll have what she’s having!)

They were back in time to attend Jim Fusaro’s celebration of life. Pat Yankee sang with Bob Schulz, Scott Anthony and Bob Ringwald to honor Jim. Miss Delta was dancing. Stan Mark came down from Oregon to pay tribute. Jim’s grandson, Anthony James Fusaro, is also from Oregon, plays bass, and put together a lovely slide presentation. Max Weis videotaped everyone’s remembrances. Paige Morrow helped Carol put together a really heartwarming afternoon.

Kathy Becker helmed the 10th annual Crab & Pasta Feed, with Peter Petty, and Black Tuesday for dancing. Petty per-formed an amusing ditty named “Bald Spot,” which he wrote. He brought a smaller group, but really throws himself into the perfor-mance. Many thanks to Nanette Hall and 10 young people from the California Conservation Corps. They worked hard, from set-up right through clean-up. Some bought raffle tickets and one, Braiden Massao from Center Unified in Antelope, rediscovered his ballroom dancing skills!

Tom Duff undoubtedly mentions these two items in his column, so this is just back-up or reinforcement. From March 9 through March 12, mention Bookfair ID# 11807286 when you make any purchase at a Barnes & Noble store (or online at www.bn.com) and a percentage will go to STJS. TNT will be playing at the Creekside Town Ctr. Barnes & Noble in Roseville on March 9.

Krista Penney is in charge of Instrument Security/Storage at the Trad Jazz Youth Band Festival on Feb. 13th. On Jan. 14, 2016, Krista and husband Ryan Brown brought Wesley Elliot Brown into the world. If Krista can make it to TJYBF, by golly, you should be able to! Plus, you get to hear Wycliffe Gordon! See you soon.

Dr. Steve Roach, our TJYBF Director, will be performing on Mon., Feb. 29, at Hilton-Arden, with Mike “Frank Sinatra” Martis, Alan Ginter, and Dave Chan Louie. 6:30-9:00 (Har-vard Grille, 2200 Harvard St.) 2

Clinicians Band (cont.)the South Market Street Jazz Band. From 1982 to 1995, Bill appeared as one-half of the duo called Goodtime Banjos. Bill is currently director of two trad jazz camp programs and is the lead clinician in the STJS Traditional Jazz Project. He plays trombone, guitar and banjo in Shelley Burns & Avalon Swing, and with Fast Eddie Erickson. Bill has performed with Bob Haggart, Bob Crosby, Johnny Varro, Dick Cary, Abe Most, Nick Fatool, Bob Draga and others. He retired two years ago as Vice-Principal at Lindbergh Ed. Center in Manteca, Ca, and will become the curriculum director and banjo/guitar instruc-tor at Camp Hoagy in Elkhart, Indiana this June 15-22.

SHELLEY DENNY — Bass

Shelley Denny is a free-lance trombonist and bass player with broad experience as both a performer and a teacher. His play-ing credits include Stan Kenton, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sina-tra, Nancy Wilson, and The Supremes, plus thirty years with the Sacramento Music Circus. He has taught music theory, ear training, and jazz improvisation at Sacramento State Univer-sity, coached lower brass at University of the Pacific, Stockton, and offered private instruction for over thirty-five years.

BOB DRAGA — Clarinet TJYBF Guest Clinician in 2006

Bob’s professional career encompasses over thirty-five years of live performances (national and int’l) at jazz festivals, jazz cruises, and personal engagements. Bob performs exclusively on the “high seas” for Jazzdagen Cruises, sailing throughout the world. Previously part of the Titan Hot 7. Since leaving the Garden Avenue Seven, a band he founded and led for twen-ty-two years, Bob has led several all-star bands, was co-leader of the Draga-Vax Connection for three years, and has worked frequently with Johnny Varro, Tom Saunders, Rick Fay, Bob Haggart, and other world-class jazz performers, and has many recordings to his credit. In addition to playing superb clarinet, Bob presents an almost wicked brand of humor, making him one of the busiest musicians on the trad jazz circuit today.

EDDIE ERICKSON — Banjo/Guitar/Vocals TJYBF Guest Clinician in 2008

Eddie Erickson began his banjo/guitar career in the mid-‘60s working at Capone’s Warehouse on Cannery Row. From there, Ed went to Disney World and Disneyland, where he was fea-tured in the “Class of ‘27” show at the Diamond and Golden Horseshoes, and starred in the Banjo Kings. He has been a featured performer, and appeared with Jackie Coon, Rick Fay, Dave Frishberg, Johnny Varro, and others. From 1978 to 1983, Eddie led the “Riverboat Rascals” show band onboard Dis-ney’s Empress Lilly Showboat. Eddie

10 Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016

MAIN STAGE ________________________

Crescent KatzBrandon Au, leader, trombone, euphoniumJeff Kreis, trumpetGreg Sabin, bnj/gtr, vocalsPriscilla Ornelas, tubaPatrick Skiffington, washboard, kazoos, vocals

Sister SwingValerie Marston, vocalsPaula Chafey-Merrill, vocalsLeigh Hannah, vocalsDave Johnson, trumpetBob Williams, tromboneOtis Mourning, reedsSteve Wall, guitarAlan Parks, bassRon Jones, drums

Black Tuesday Jazz BandDominic Ruggieri, leader, reedsDave Johnson, trumpet, flugel horn, vocalMike Hudson, tromboneJan Buhlert, plectrum gtr/bnjAlan Shaw, pianoAlan Ginter, bassJim Laveroni, drums, bongosSuzanne Wiggins, vocals

Dr. Bach and the Jazz PractitionersCharlie Gehlbach, leader, trumpetJay Paulus, tromboneNorm Gary, reedsCarl Kaiser, pianoJim Elsaas, banjo/guitar, vocalsJim Roberson, drumsAngela Elsaas, vocals

Midnight Rose Jazz BandDannie Balser, trumpet, vocals, leaderNancy Kreis, clarinetCarl Warmdahl, drumsJan Buhlert, banjoTim Kreis, saxophoneJeff Kreis, trombone, vocalsBonnie Otto, pianoReuben Smith, tuba

GOLD CARD ROOM ________________________

Jay Paulus’ Society BandJay Paulus, trombone, leaderBarbara Paulus, co-leader, vocalsCharlie Gehlbach, trumpetCharlie Hull, reedsParmys Weinberg, pianoDavid Rees, bassRay Rector, drumsKate Rees, vocals

Bechet’s Fantasy BandDominic Ruggieri, co-leader, reedsBill Sharp, co-leader, trumpet, valve trombone, vocalsJan Buhlert, plectrum guitar, banjoAlan Shaw, pianoAlan Ginter, bassJim Laveroni, drums, bongos

Seldom Herd BandCharlie Gelbach, trumpetChris Williams, trumpetBob Gonazalez, tromboneDick Lockwood, reedsJimmy Spero, guitar, vocalsCarl Kaiser, piano, vocalsRay Farley, bassCarl Warmdahl, drumsGeri Eckert, vocals

Hot CityZack Sapunor, leader, string bass, vocalsJeff Kreis, trumpetMark Curry, clarinet, saxBill Dendle, guitar, banjo

Todd Morgan Jazz BandNolan Cyr, trumpetParker Weis, clarinetJim Laveroni, drums

TAILGATE ROOM ________________________

Dixie DominusLydia Porter, trumpetKaren Cruz, tromboneMichelle Boutell, tromboneStephanie Wu, clarinetWallace Lee, clarinet, altoCalvin Manesh, tenor saxCarlo Cardenas, baritone saxVince Argonza, banjoAnnie Hsu, pianoRebekah Handran, drums Danny Rohwedder, tuba Nick Leong, bassKaitlyn Weins, vocals

Syncopating Sea MonkeysSpencer Nyberg, tpt/tbnRay Freeman, reedsPaige Burks, Michael ColbertAshley Davis, Zoe DevineCasey Hamby, Abigail LuftEJ Monjaras, Kaleb MeisingerJojo Reyes Soria, Brian RossWill Chan, guitarIshmael Morales, drumsAlicia Lopez, vocals

AwktivesJessica Block, trumpetJacob Comingore, trumpetEvan Belks, trumpetJesse Brandt, tromboneJack Premzic, tromboneMacRae Dudman, clarinetIsabel Montesanto, tenor saxTioga Benner, pianoJake Gooding, bassAndrew Leavitt, drums

River City Swingers IGrady Flamm, trumpetThomas Monce, tromboneSophie Modar, clarinetArthur Eriksson, alto saxMontana Monce, pianoMaya Monce, sousaphoneJoseph Bly, drumsKelsey Smith, vocals

River City Swingers IIBryce Hansen, trumpetGrayson Cliff, tromboneCaelin Such, clarinetSteven Bondaruck, tenor SaxMary Bongo, banjoJake Nalangan,pianoRyan Loanidis, bassGarrett Frazier, drumsLisa Doubek-Kraft, vocals

TNTEric Treadwell, trumpetOlivia Flournoy, tromboneParker Weis, clarinetJerod Eastlick, saxBreanna Rodgers, banjoChristine Chapa, pianoGabriel Anuszczyk, bassGabriel Carpenter, drums

18th annual

STJS

Jan. 13, 2016

11 Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016

Music Lesson Award winners

12 Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016

has been featured with Big Mama Sue at festivals, fairs, and the Sancy Snow Jazz Festival in France. Also a vocalist, Eddie has joined forces with Rebecca Kilgore and Dan Barrett to form Rebecca Kilgore Quartet, popular at jazz festivals throughout the country. Eddie is a respected and beloved member of the jazz fraternity, and one of the funniest performers on the scene.

RON JONES — Drums

After Ron retired from playing drums with the US Air Force show bands for many years, he backed up such prime time entertainers as Frankie Laine, Kay Starr, the Ink Spots, and Diahann Carroll. Since he moved to Sacramento in the early 1980s, he’s played with many top West Coast jazz bands. A member of the Youth Band Festival committee and immediate Past President of the STJS board of directors, Ron is a very popular drummer on the national jazz festival circuit and per-forms with Sister Swing and the Draga Quartet. Ron and the TJYBF Clinicians Band were selected from a highly compet-itive, field of applicants to present a performance at the first West Coast convention of the national JEN (Jazz Education Network) last year in San Diego. He performs regularly with the Bob Draga Quartet at trad festivals.

MIDIRI BROTHERSJOE MIDIRI: Reeds — TJYBF Guest Clinician in 2014PAUL MIDIRI : Vibes/Trombone

The Midiri Brothers have made music, both jazz and classical, the focus of their lives since graduating Glassboro State Col-lege. On recordings, they can be heard leading groups ranging from trios, quintets, sextets and big bands – all featuring Joe’s outstanding clarinet and saxophones, and Paul on the vibra-phone, xylophone, marimba, drums and trombone! After nearly a decade working in Philadelphia, New York and Atlantic City, they began to branch out and perform at jazz festivals across the country, and for many jazz clubs from Chicago to Florida. In their home state of N.J., they play concerts and dances. Two of the most popular concert venues, both run by their good friend and supporter Bruce Gast, are the Bickford Theater in

Morristown, N.J. and Ocean County College. The Golden Inn in Avalon, N.J. has featured the Midiri Brothers Big Band as part of their Big Band Get Away weekend package for nearly a decade. The big band features many of the arrangements of Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and the Dorsey Brothers as well as many of their own arrangements. The diversity of the Midiri Brothers can be heard on their many recordings, notably: Trees, A Shaw Thing, In The Garden, and Finger Bustin’. Recently, they have recorded two CDs with the Brooks Tegler Orchestra and one with Harry Salotti.

GREG VARLOTTA — Trumpet/Trombone

Greg Varlotta began studying trumpet under his fathers direc-tion in Lockport, Illinois at the age of 5 and received his music degree in trumpet performance from Arizona State University in 1985. He has performed with numerous symphony orches-tras, brass quintets, jazz ensembles, and is the recipient of the prestigious Arion Trumpet Award. In addition to his accom-plishments on trumpet and trombone, this multi-talented per-former also enjoys singing, tap dancing, and has a strong inter-est in music technology, working with computers, program-ming synthesizers, composing and arranging music.

JASON WANNER — Piano TJYBF Guest Clinician in 2010

In younger days, Jason’s dad used to bring him to the Sac. Jazz Jubilee, where his love for jazz grew. As a Music Award recipi-ent, he played for TNT, the STJS-sponsored youth band. Jason went from being a student at the STJS Jazz Camp to earning his place as an instructor there. Jason performs regularly with Blue Street, appears every so often with Sister Swing and is a frequent guest artist at jazz festivals. He enjoys composing and arranging for a variety of shows, films, and recordings, and performing with at trad festivals across the country, as a guest artist and as a member of various bands, including the Bob Draga Quartet. Jason studied music for one year at USC but returned north to graduate from the CSUS School of Music with a Bachelor of Music in Classical Piano Performance. In, 2011, Jason was selected as the “Musician of the Year” by Monterey’s Jazz Bash by the Bay festival. 2

Clinicians Band (cont.)

Clinicians Band from 2015 TJYBF

13 Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016

Don and Cathie Jones became caregivers for Cathie’s mother,

who moved into Don’s home office last fall. They also celebrated Don’s 84th birthday in January, and their retire-ment from The American Rag after 26 years. They sold the paper to one of their writers, Andy Senior of New York, where it will take on a new life as the Syncopated Times. The new cover page already appears on its Facebook page with Andy’s recent post that he promises to, “keep Don and Cathie’s work going long into the future.”

With a long history of jazz in his family, it is no wonder that Don eventu-ally became the owner of the venerable American Rag newspaper 20 years ago. His father, James, played clarinet and alto sax in all the bands at the two World Fairs in SF until 1940, when World War II broke out. Don recalled that his father had regular gigs with various bands four nights a week at the Sweet Ballroom in Oakland. Local area dancers came nightly, for fifteen years, to dance to the tunes played from the band’s same tune book. Don is delighted that young

swing dancers are finding how much fun it is to dance to what they discovered as Hot Jazz (OKOM).

Don, like his late father, James Donald Jones, is a man of many pas-sions, especially for jazz. Don relates that he, “had eleven occupations since graduating from high school in Feb. 1950 — ten of them lasting about 3 years after which they became boring.”

At age 63 he purchased the newspa-per, West Coast Rag, from jazz friend Woody, who wanted to retire. Don shared that he and Woody were both jazz fans and also recovering alcohol-ics (with help from the AA meetings they attended). I think having these in common created a significant bond between them. (Don proudly reports that he quit drinking 28 years ago.) Don did an internship with Woody for about nine months before eventually taking over the newspaper in August 1995. Don met Cathie the following month, and by fall she was driving to Fresno on weekends to work on the paper with him. After they got married, he made her his executive editor. Don changed

the name to The American Rag, which soon attracted East Coast readers, and being its publisher has been his longest- held job since.

During the past 11 years as coordina-tor of the Trad Jazz Youth Band Festival, I have had the distinct pleasure of getting better acquainted with Don, and more recently, Cathie. Along with many of their faithful readers, I have appreciated all that they have done to actively sup-port jazz education in their newspaper.

On behalf of our fellow jazz volun-teers and fans here in Sacramento, I’d like to thank Don and Cathie for all the tireless work that they have done to promote OKOM. Cathie, in a recent FB post, wished Andy much luck and enjoyment with the newspaper, noting that she and Don “had a blast over the past 20 years,” and met many new friends through the paper. We fondly wish Don and Cathie an equally fulfill-ing retirement, and look forward to still seeing them at some West Coast jazz festivals. All hail the 2013 Fresno Mardi Gras Emperors! 2

Publisher of The American Rag retiresby Yvonne Au TJYBF COORDINATOR

14 Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016

MAIL TO: Membership Chair301 N. 10th Street • Sacramento, CA 95811

(916) 444-2004 www.sacjazz.org info@sacjazz.org THANK YOU for your support! We appreciate your membership.

Please take a moment to complete this form. Your information and opinionswill help the STJS better serve you. (Answers may be approximate.)

• How long have you been a member of STJS?_____________________________

• How far do you travel to attend monthly sessions?_________________________

• Number of monthly sessions you attended in the last 12 months______________

• Who was your favorite guest band or musician? __________________________

__________________________________________________________________

• What band or musician would you like as a guest? _____________________

________________________________________________________________

• What would you like to change about the monthly sessions? _____________

________________________________________________________________

Thank you for your help!! UPDATED NOVEMBER 2014

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONSacramento Traditional Jazz Society

DATE________ r NEW r RENEWAL r E-MAIL CHANGE

Name_______________________________________________

Address_____________________________________________

City_____________________________State_____Zip _________

Phone__________________________________________________

E-mail_______________________________________________

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP includes discounts for monthly STJS Jazz Sunday concerts, plus newsletter, And All That Jazz.

*** Note: DUES INCREASED on JULY 1st, 2013! ***

r Single $30.00 r Couple $50.00 r Student $10.00

r PATRON Membership $400. Includes: 2 Festival All-Events Badges,2 programs, and your name listed in the festival program.

r I am enclosing an additional $______ for (please check one): r Sacramento Music Festival r Other STJS programs Would you like to VOLUNTEER? (Please check one.)

r Sac. Music Festival r Other STJS programs r Both (Festival & other pgms) r I am currently a volunteer

Make CHECKS or money orders PAYABLE to STJS or CHARGE to: m Visa m MC m Discover m AmEx

Card # ______________________________________________

Expir. date ________________ Security # on back of card __________

(ages 12–20)

Laurie Beth Stackhouse August 10, 2015

Larry Gene “Woody” WassonOctober 27, 2015

Carole June Retter November 11, 2015

Louis D FrancisNovember 19, 2015

Joan FritzellNovember 22, 2015

Peter DesalernosDecember 19, 2015

Bev DeMers GunterJanuary 8, 2016

Dan HicksFebruary 6, 2016

In Loving Memory