May 2015
The Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society Newsletter
Volume XXIV
MISSION: To promote the growth, appreciation and performance of Jazz & Blues – great American music art forms – through scholarships, workshops, clinics, weekly jazz jams and community outreach programs.
Membership and Volunteers by Don Bestor, Jr., President If you’ve read this Newsletter before, you know that I generally talk about a number of different issues; but they always pertain to the people who make this organization work. It is for this reason that I would like to invite everyone to join this organization as we would like to grow to the next level.
REASONS to volunteer
volunteer roster. If you would, please volunteer your time; help us to continue to bring the best possible effort to our community.
Good for You. Volunteering provides physical and mental rewards. Stress Reducer. Focusing on someone other than yourself interrupts tension-producing patterns. Learn New Stuff. If you don’t already know how, someone will show you how. Brings People Together. Who doesn’t enjoy making new friends? Chance to Give Back. Support resources you use yourself to benefit people like yourself. Make a Difference. Brighten someone’s day! Make people feel better ... and you will feel better about yourself.
Please! Join the Society – We’d love to have you! And to our current members, please volunteer! Because it’s a fact that:
Reaching that next level will also require an increase in our
WE NEED YOU!
The 4th Annual Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society’s
Here es com
In This Issue!
Jazz Week Photos!
Summer Jazz Camp
will take place June 22-26 and June 29-July 3 at the Society’s Headquarters off Indian River Drive All sessions will be taught by professional musicians from the Ft. Pierce Jazz & Blues Society under the direction of noted jazz trumpeter and music educator, Mark Green. There will be emphasis on style and improvisation while learning jazz standards, jam session protocol, jazz theory and more. A performance at the Black Box Theatre will be included for those who attend. The group from a previous Camp session recently performed at a Jazz Jam with the pros at the Black Box venue of the Sunrise Theatre.
2015
Ft. Pierce Mayor Linda Hudson was looking forward to having her socks knocked off during Jazz Week!
x x x x
For those interested in enrolling for a workshop week at jazz day camp, or for more information, contact the Society at 772-460-5299 or visit www.jazzsociety.org.
Bring your lunch Open to musicians aged 13-90 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM $120 per week, or both weeks for $215
Camp sessions will be held at the Ft. Pierce Jazz and Blues Society offices, 4861 Indianapolis Dr, Ft. Pierce 34982 (one block north of Midway Rd off Indian River Dr.) 2015 Jazz Camp is sponsored by T-Coast Pavers
site: www.jazzsociety.org
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email: info@jazzsociety.org
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office: 772-460-JAZZ (5299)
POETRY CORNER by Gene Hull
Basoonists Know
For those who do not know, but maybe would like to, the bassoon is a most complex musical tool. Buttons and levers and mechanical connections festoon its length in a manner not easily suited for those who prefer next notes to be nearby. Simplicity of design favors violin… viola, clarinet, bass, vibraphone, marimba, glockenspiel, saxophone, oboe, flute, English horn, and most all the brasses…. but not the bassoon. The most logical layout is the piano, of course, where the musical scale goes up to the right and down to the left, each key sounds the very next note. If you wish to commune on a contra bassoon— larger, longer and deeper in sound— your reach for the keys will be even more of a stretch, not comfy and cozy and close like a flute, whose neighborly notes are right next door. For most instruments the musical scale ascends or descends in logical sequential order simply by employing the very next key. Or advancing the fingering on one of the strings. Not so with the mysterious and elegant bassoon, whose thirty-some keys aren’t sequentially placed. One must hunt its labyrinthine stack to find the next note in its beauteous scale… searching with skill for the right place to land. Best suited to thoughtful minds—engineers and such— bassoonists can excel at puzzles and games. They know all too well, being seriously minded, there is little buffoonery when mastering bassoonery. Corporate funding and sponsorship provided in part by
Support the Arts! The Sunrise Theatre The City Of Fort Pierce Keystone Computer Concepts Fort Pierce Police Department Shann’s Tax Service The Blues Alliance Of The Treasure Coast
We sincerely thank our sponsors for their support and contributions, and our paying advertisers for their display ads throughout the Milestones.
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Milestones
published by Ft Pierce Jazz & Blues Society, a 501 (C) (3) Organization PO Box 1086 • Fort Pierce, FL 34954 Publisher: Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society Editors: Claudio Berardi, MaryAnn Ketcham, Don Bestor, Jr. Contributing Writers: Don Bestor, Jr., Doc Grober, Al Hager, Gene Hull, MaryAnn Ketcham Photo Credits: Ellen Hulka, MaryAnn Ketcham, Pauline Berardi Advertising: George McDaniel Layout: Jane Caggiano
Officers & Board of Directors Don Bestor, Jr. President, Secretary
Claudio Berardi
Executive Vice President
Chris Hulka
Vice President Logistics
Anita Palma Sperry Administrative Assistant and Events Coordinator
Angela Zervos Treasurer
Advisory Board
Board MEMBERS
Pat Dicesare Chris Dzadovsky Roberta Hanley Maurice Sedacca Bob Sagnella Mia Batalini
Bill Genson Al Hager Gene Hull MaryAnn Ketcham George McDaniel Stix Nickson AJ Pastor Jim Tucci
Many thanks to our Advertisers!
On-Going Events Tuesday - Jazz Jams Every Other Tuesday May 26 • June 9, 23 • July 7, 21 Aug 4, 18 • Sept 1, 15, 29 7 - 10 pm • $6 Cover (Members $5)
Wednesday - Jazz Jams Saturday - Jazz Market Every Other Wednesday May 6, 20 • June 3, 17 • July 1, 15, 29 • Aug. 12, 26 • Sept. 9, 23 6:30 - 9:30 pm • $5 Cover (Members $4)
Subject to change – Subject to change – check website G check website for for updates and special events! ALTERNATIN WEEKS updates and special events! Full Bar available
BLACK BOX 117 S. 2nd St, Downtown Ft. Pierce
Open 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM Every Saturday - All Year! Live Jazz At The Gazebo Will return the 1st Sat. of each month starting Oct. 3. Funds Raised support educational programs and local scholarships.
Managers Donna & Bernie Bires
2410 Westmoreland Blvd., PSL
Ft. Pierce, along Ind. River Waterfront
One Thing Leads to Another
Caught
by MaryAnn Ketcham
When Board Member MaryAnn Ketcham started writing freelance articles for Luminaries she never imagined that her profile of fellow Board Member Anita Sperry would propel Anita into the limelight.
communications and her dedication to The Fort Pierce Jazz and Blues Society as a volunteer, she was invited by Anne Schafer to be one of the kick-off speakers at the “Women’s Power Lunch Straight
This article caught the attention of Anne Schafer, Founder of Women’s Power Lunch, whose mission is “to empower each other to achieve our business goals and to offer our support of many worthy community organizations and causes.” Thanks to Anita’s years of career experience in event planning and
FPJ&BS Membership
We would like to thank the following new and renewed members for joining the Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society. Your membership dollars help provide scholarships for students in high school who are committed to furthering their music education in an institution of higher learning. Your contribution also allows us to produce local shows which we bring to the community at little or no charge and to provide live music to students of all ages in local schools during the school year. Without you, this would not be possible.
Anita Palma Sperry with Kelley Dunn Paul Amaru Robert Baker Ernest & Gladys Baldridge Leonard & Peggy Berg David Boaz, DDS Carol Cardinale Gordon Case Henry Chamberlain Robert & Eileen Chapell Gloria Clark Matt & Barbara Clarkin/Russell Ralph & Gloria Dendler Dolores Economos Frank Edwards Jesse Faulkner Maxine Felski Mike & Bonnie Foley Mary Fulginiti Mario & Ellen Geminiani Chiqui Guiribitey Ken & Jocelyn Harley Tom & Vivian
In The Act!
from the Heart Business and Health Expo.” Anita spoke passionately about the Jazz Society explaining who we are and what we do! While there, Anita had the opportunity to speak and mingle with WPTV broadcaster Kelley Dunn advising her that next year will mark the Society’s 20th Anniversary, and she extended a personal invitation to next year’s Jazz Festival! Fingers crossed!
Nina Hauke Karen Hogue Brian & Yvonne Johnson Chuck & Lesa Kitzmiller Reid & Annamae Koppler Jim Langone Peter Lauro Ken & Terry Lyons Suzanne & Glenn Michaud Jack Miller Gil/Gay Ann Moore Barbara Nagy Len & Betty Nichols Byron Niederhelman David & Suzanne James & Katherine Osterman Joseph Parrinello Bob Perrone Dorace Peters Michael/Patricia Reiser Philip & Joan Repetto Maureen Rodriguez
Alice & Henry L. Schmitz,Jr Jamie Schulte Ray Spiess Joann Steinmeyer Norman & Sandra Stevenson Thomas & Vera Stopyra Warren & Virginia Bernadette Ventura-Warfel David Veator Vince & Marilyn Veglia Ken & Mary Beth Ward Joyce Warshauer Mike & JoAnne Wayman Dick Westfali Lance Wiliock Mary Wogisch Robert & Bonnie Zarn George Zerdian
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FPJ&BS Receives an Even Larger Generous Donation from the Beerworks Charitable Foundation
The Society was sincerely honored to receive a $5,000 donation from the Beerworks Charitable Foundation. This is the second straight year that we were a recipient of their
generosity. This Foundation donates to a variety of not-for-profit area organizations, such as the FPJ&BS, to help them further their own causes. For the Society–it’s school
Hey, look over there! by Claudio Berardi
Mia and James Batalini asked my wife, Pauline, and me to meet them for dinner one evening at the Applebee’s at 4890 Okeechobee Road in Ft. Pierce. I was confused when Mia suggested that I simply must bring my hat with me. But nothing really surprises us about this fun-loving couple, so I complied. After being seated by the hostess, Mia suggested that we look around. And what do I see – and then say, but “Hey, look over there!” Photos of the jazz ensemble and the big band--FDO are hanging on the wall next to us. I was wearing a hat in the photo, so Mia had asked that I bring it again for the Manager to take my photo with me in my hat in front of this picture! 4
This Applebee’s is a “Neighborhood” Applebee’s which means that it has photos (some very large photos, even wall sized) of lots of events, people, children, schools, and various organizations in the Ft. Pierce area where its customers live their lives. Mia then brought us over more toward the middle of the restaurant and we saw another compilation of photos including Mia and an FPJ&BS sign. Now this was a fun evening! Thank you Applebee’s, for making the Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society a part of your neighborhood.
workshops, clinics, master classes, and especially our scholarship program. It’s all about the kids. We thank the fine people at Beerworks for their continued support!
December 2014
Ring-A-Ding-Ding Holiday Fling FeaturingÂ
FDO - The Big Swingin' Band at the Endless Summer Winery in Ft. Pierce
Peter and Will Anderson, with Alex Wintz on Guitar, Perform to a Packed House at the Black Box
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THURSday EVENING
Sunday
A Three-Band Spectacular!
WATERSIDE BLUES! The Otis Cadillac Band
McCartney Mania! TUESday
FPJ&BS Performance Ensemble featuring guitarist Jim McCreavy and sax player Gene Bruno
Jazz Week!
The Jazz Ambassadors from Hidden Oaks Middle School
Two locations this year : Ft. Pierce Marina, and Downtown
The Mark Telesca Band
MOnday
FPJ&BS Performance Ensemble featuring Kit Stewart and Mike Sagarese 6
WEDNESday EVENING
FDO – The Big Swingin’ Band in Downtown Ft. Pierce
FRIday
Pat Pepin
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The Rowdy Roosters Make a Special Appearance at the Black Box
The Rowdy Micks Performance at The Black Box December 2014 The Rowdy Micks have been together since early 2002 playing traditional Celtic music on the Treasure Coast of Florida. This was their second performance for the FPJ&BS, and once again great, fun music was enjoyed by all in attendance.
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FPJ&BS’s Who’s Who: Al Hager, that’s who! Al was born in California and raised on Longboat Key on the west coast of Florida. He received degrees from Florida State University and the University of Florida and taught music in public schools starting in 1968 until his retirement from the Stuart Middle School in 2009. He’s been an adjunct professor at four universities. “Teacher of the Year awards” were presented to Hager by Jefferson Junior High School and Stuart Middle School.
Highlights of Al’s extensive list of accomplishments and playing history: • Al has conducted twenty-two honor bands in Florida and Georgia. • Since 1999, he’s conducted the Directors Jazz Band at the state music convention. • Has performed with Bob Hope, Bob Crosby, Sammy Kaye, Vaughn Monroe, Myron Floren, James Darren, Bob and Ray Eberle, and more. • Al is an active musician performing currently with the Palm City Presbyterian Church Praise Band, Flutes Renaissance, Idle Gossip, Silhouette, the Roger Rossi Orchestra, the PCPC Brass Choir, the Indian River Pops Orchestra, and McCartney Mania in their horn section.
• Al is a certified Florida Bandmasters Association adjudicator, popular clinician, published author, arranger and composer with eleven selections on the FBA Music List. • He has a teaching studio in his home with 35 private students currently each week. • Al and trumpeter, Mark Green, own and run FDO–The BIG Swingin’ Band, the premier big band on the Treasure Coast, sponsored in part by the FPJ&BS. • As Chairman of FPJ&BS’s Education and Scholarship Committee, Al oversees the distribution of individual $1000 merit scholarships.
Lindsay and Al Hager
• Barefoot water skiing! Al has been competing since 1992 and has won the Barefoot Nationals six of the last eight years. He began at age 15 in 1961 which makes him a “current” competitor who barefooted before any other competitor in the world! • Al also enjoys handcrafting teak jewelry and has over 100 pieces for sale at the World Barefoot Center Ski School in Winter Haven. Al has four children, he’s married to Lindsay, and they have six grandchildren. Al, did you ever imagine you would be this busy after retiring from your public school teaching career ?
• Toured northern Italy last year with the International Flute Orchestra. • Directs the Treasure Coast Flute Choir, founded by wife, Lindsay, in 1984.
Treasure Coast Flute Choir
City of Ft. Pierce Proclamation of the FPJ&BS Jazz Festival Week 2015 Anita Palma Sperry, Don Bestor, Jr., Chris Hulka, and Bill Genson are on hand to accept the proclamation. 9
Education & Scholarship by Al Hager, Chairman Education and Scholarship Committee
The Jazz Society has a strong commitment to perpetuating this wonderful art form by bringing professional jazz musicians into the schools. JAZZ IN THE SCHOOLS presented fifteen sessions in the form of masterclasses and concerts presented at local middle and high schools this year. Music directors contact the Jazz Society to set up possible dates and Individual $1000 merit scholarships are presented to deserving high school seniors in our four-county area in late May each year. $40,000 has been given since 2011 with almost half being donations from Jazz Society members. Application is made and the student schedules an audition in April or May at one of the Jazz Society’s Jazz Jams at the Black Box. Applicants must demonstrate their knowledge of jazz through performance. They select two pieces to perform with the Jazz Ensemble and are judged by four
times. We coordinate it with musicians who are available and the Jazz Society compensates them. There is no expense to the schools. A new outreach program called EYE TO EYE was started this year. Directors email us with contact information of deserving students for a series of private lessons. These students might not otherwise have
the means to pursue this type of instruction. This year, three have taken advantage of this program. We plan on continuing these through the 2015-16 school year.
High school music students are always encouraged to attend the Jazz Jams at the Black Box and the St. Lucie Botanical Gardens to gain members from the Board of knowledge and experience performDirectors. They also present a written ing in a combo setting. Most play document stating their college or sing with their high school jazz intentions and past achievements. bands but don’t get the opportuNotification to the winners is made nity to perform with a professional a week after the last audition. The rhythm section. Those applying for 2015 presentations will be May 26 scholarships can use the Jazz Jams at the Black Box and each of the as practice sessions and the audiwinners will play a tune during ences are always encouraging. the last set.
Expires: Dec. 31, 2015
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Jazz in the Harlem Renaissance Shortly after World War I Harlem, NY became an important hub for rapidly changing styles. This is where musicians looking for new sounds expanded on the basic roots of jazz as they developed the style we now refer to as bebop.
free to expose their talents to multicultural audiences. Harlem, although it rapidly became a slum, nevertheless became a haven where blacks could feel free to pursue their own cultural and intellectual life. This included writers and poets like Langston Hughes, Zora Neal Hurston and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
It is of interest to look briefly at the rapidly changing demographics of Harlem in the 1920’s in order to better understand the cultural frame- But let us focus on the music. Who were some of these musicians work that allowed these stylistic whose careers developed and changes to develop. flourished because of the specific The Jazz Age (1920’s) was associcircumstances and demographics ated with a mass migration of specific to Harlem of the 20’s African-Americans out of the south. and 30’s? In spite of the abolition of slavery The big bands of Chick Webb and they had only secondary status and could do little to change it. The Fletcher Henderson attracted many of the downtown whites who appeal of low rent housing made Harlem affordable and offered those enjoyed dancing. Duke Ellington displaced African-Americans a place used the growling effects of Bubber Miley and Sam Nanton to which they could bring their culture and art forms including literature along with Sonny Greers’ African style drumming to present ‘jungle and music. In spite of the reigning bigotry of the day, jazz music offered music’ to the wealthy white audiences. His composition “Black and Americans an opportunity to transcend racial boundaries. Harlem gave Tan Fantasy” refers to the easy African-Americans a place to celebrate co-mingling of whites and blacks in the Harlem club environment. their heritage. Affluent whites from ‘downtown’ frequented the speakAs unscrupulous proprietors preyed easies and clubs in Harlem looking on the harsh economics and low for jazz music and entertainment. salaries of the inhabitants, rent Harlem therefore attracted many of parties developed in which tenants the best jazz musicians of the day. charged admission to people who As racism was still a national issue, came to listen to the stride piano black performers were not accepted players of the day. This included downtown; but in Harlem they were Willie the Lion Smith, Fats Waller and
James P Johnson - all influenced by elements of ragtime, blues and classical music. This was the time of Prohibition and venues and clubs like the Savoy Ballroom and the Cotton Club flourished as they attracted some of the best musicians of the day. This included singer’s Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Lena Horne and Dorothy Dandridge. Big band leader Cab Callaway did a long stint at the Cotton Club playing opposite Duke Ellington. Soprano saxophonist Sidney Bechet, one of the first great jazz soloists, was featured at the Savoy Ballroom. Space does not permit a more detailed discussion of the musicians of this era. It is frequently noted that art forms develop in response to the times and events that shape people’s lives. I feel that the jazz developing at the time of the Harlem Renaissance is particularly illustrative of that point.
Doc Grober’s
Jazz Corner 11
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The next issue of Milestones will cover the May 26 Scholarship Awards Night at the Black Box. Join us for a rewarding evening of music and smiles all around.
Why should beco I want to be a part of the best Jazz & Blues in Fort Pierce! I me a m em b Please Check One: o New o Renewal er? “What’s in it Please Check One: o Individual $50 o Benefactor $250 for me?”
i can hear and enjoy professional jazz & blues locally – every week!
i can help support appreciation of America’s original Art Forms i can help bring good jazz into the schools at no cost to them
i can help High School Seniors continue their music education
?
o Family $75
o Corporate $500 o Patron $100
The Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society is a nonprofit organization and all donations are tax deductible.
Name _____________________________________________________________________________________________ WINTER Address __________________________________________________________________________________________ City _____________________________________________________State____________ Zip_____________________ SUMMER Address __________________________________________________________________________________________ City _____________________________________________________State____________ Zip_____________________
i can experience the joy of awarding Merit Scholarships to worthy students
E-Mail_______________________________________________ _ Phone ( ___________ ) _____________________ ARE YOU A MUSICIAN?
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please list your instrumentS, including voice:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
o membership o promotions/pr o newsletter o fundraising o events/concerts
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o Jazz jamso education
Join Us Today!
Your membership helps us fund our scholarships for students going on to college to advance their musical studies.
site: www.jazzsociety.org
Thank you for your continued support.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please mail this form and your check to: Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society • PO Box 1086 • Fort Pierce, FL 34954-1086
email: info@jazzsociety.org
office: 772-460-JAZZ (5299)