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This was the
20th year for the Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Classic November
19-21, 2010. The Sheraton
Sand Key Resort in Clearwater, Florida was already buzzing with fans Thursday afternoon,
obviously anxious to get started.
Thursday night there was
a Sponsor and Benefactor Gala with buffet and three music sets for
patrons and 4 day badge holders. Barbary Coast and Wally's
Waifs each played a one hour set and then a combined one hour set.
Packed house in Sheraton's Jake's Place!
There were many from Connecticut. Some had
just arrived, and others were already in Florida for the
winter. With each new arrival, the excitement
grew. Fans were
talking a steady stream about the bands they would be hearing. As
usual, fans have their favorites but are always ready to hear new
bands.
It would have been great to hear each and every band and guest
artist, however, time does not always allow for this. I did
hear some great music by many wonderful musicians, and will try to give you a brief synopsis of some that I did hear and
liked very much.
Who doesn't like Barbary Coast?
They hail from Minnesota and played (all six) to the delight of a full house audience...each and every
session. It was difficult to keep my feet still. |
Red Lehr's Powerhouse Five - St Louis, MO.
A real powerhouse of a band.
Noel Kaletsky graced the stage with his
reeds. |
Bill Allred's Classic Jazz Band - Orlando, FL.
Wonderful interpretation of Duke Ellington and Count Basie's work.
Very classy stuff.
Coast to Coast - DeKalb, IL
They played great New Orleans style jazz and
wonderful Ragtime. Jelly Roll Morton stuff and Chicago Swing. I
loved Paul Monat on cornet.
Cornet Chop Suey - Sullivan, MO
They are always a crowd
pleaser and have a great following. Another great cornet player is
their leader Tom Tucker.
Wally's Warehouse Waifs - Otisville, MI
Thank you Dave Fanning for bringing them together (at your
suggestion) in 2001. In 2000, the guys had quit another band. Good
job Dave and Waifs!
Mighty Aphrodite Jazz Band - Canada, West Coast, New York.
Wow!
This about tells it all. An all girls band that knocked my socks
off. These gals were dynamite!! Bria Skonberg is their leader and formed this band. I recall Jim
Fryer bringing Bria to Connecticut a few years ago. Jim has been her
greatest promoter and rightly so.
Yerba Buena Stompers - San Francisco, CA.
Another wow! They play Dixieland music in the true old New
Orleans style. I couldn't get enough of them. Kevin Dorn played
his heart out (as only Kevin can do.)
Loved John Gill on banjo.
And of course, how could I not mention our dear, dear "Best of
Connecticut" Galvanized Jazz Band. I can afford to be
partial...they are always tops. The last set, on Saturday,
was unbelievable. Bob Price (on banjo no less) played "Rhapsody in
Blue" to a spellbound audience. Gershwin's "Rhapsody" is 24 minutes
long. Bob perfected it down to 7 minutes. One could hear a pin
drop. I actually had tears in my eyes. Thank you Bob Price for
your perfection.
As Saturday evening was slowly coming to a close, I managed to hear
'Clarinet Clambake' with Draga, Joe Midiri, Bennett and Kaletsky.
What a show! I am so happy I didn't miss this one. Not only was
the music great but the guys had a lot of fun teasing each other.
| There were many more bands to talk about, however, I will close with
a few words about a wonderful young college gal,
Chloe Feoranzo.
She is one professional young lady and can she play
a clarinet and saxophone! |
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We were fortunate to hear a very nice and sophisticated gentleman on
bass....John Lamb. John also plays piano, drums and guitar. |
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Bob Draga kept us well entertained with his clarinet expertise,
here with Coast to Coast's John Skillman.
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Sunday night, Red
Lehr's Powerhouse Five played at the Afterglow Mixer Buffet to
'tide people over until next year's festival'.
The
Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Classic will be November 18th, 19th & 20th -
always the week before Thanksgiving. I suggest that folks get
their tickets early, and/or become sponsors and start Thursday
night with the Sponsor and Benefactor Gala, and more great Dixieland
Jazz bands.
Jean Hadley |
