After supper, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra came onstage for a two-part performance, and if there were mixed emotions that was because it's a superb working band but also the last one that would be heard this weekend. The orchestra got straight down to business with John Clayton's "I Be Serious 'Bout Dem Blues, with an engaging opening solo by octogenarian Snooky Young who it seems has played with almost everyone this side of King Oliver. Solos by tenor Rickey Woodard, alto Jeff Clayton, trombonist George Bohanon and pianist Tamir Hendelman followed Young's. Next up was Horace Silver's "The Jody Grind (Charles Owens, tenor; Ryan Porter, trombone; Hamilton, drums), followed by "Jazz Party (Owens, Woodard, Hamilton). That set the stage for Hamilton's brush feature, "Indiana. About the nicest thing I can say about Hamilton is that he reminds me of the great Mel Lewis—not only for unerring taste and remarkable precision but for the warm, deep-throated sound he elicits from his drum kit. Outstanding. He and bassist John Clayton have been best friends since they met in Indiana years ago, and their goal is obviously the same—to make the C-HJO the best it can be. Everyone soloed on "Where Has Our Love Gone, after which John Clayton played arco bass on Johnny Mandel's "Emily to complement soulful statements by pianist Hendelman and brother Jeff on alto. The first set, which ended with Ellington's "Squatty Roo, was the last for me. It was past time for some well-earned rest. I heard from others that the second set was as good or even better than the first, which came as no surprise.

The only real surprise is how Ken Poston and the L.A. Jazz Institute continue to put together such admirable and varied semi-annual events. The next one, scheduled for May 22-25, '08, already has a name ("The Stage Door Swings ) and a typically mouth-watering agenda that includes Bill Potts' "Jazz Soul of Porgy and Bess and "Bye Bye Birdie, Marty Paich's "The Broadway Bit, Paich / Mel Tormé's "Swings Shubert Alley," Stan Kenton's "Broadway Showcase, Kenton / Johnny Richards' "West Side Story, Richards' "My Fair Lady," Jimmy Giuffre's "The Music Man, Shorty Rogers "Plays Richard Rodgers, Manny Albam's "Cabin in the Sky, Miles Davis / Gil Evans' "Porgy and Bess, The Chamber Jazz Sextet's "Pal Joey, My Fair Lady Swings, the Cole Porter Songbook, Guys and Dolls, The Gershwin Almanac and the music of Harold Arlen (think "Over the Rainbow ). Poston says there'll be about sixteen big bands plus several mid-size ensembles and vocalists. The "bonus event will feature the Dave Pell Octet playing music by Irving Berlin, Rodgers and Hart, and Harry Warren (a slightly lesser-known name but one whose memorable themes could fill several volumes). Make your reservations early!

Returning to "Big Band Showcase for a moment, everything, to me, was first-class, as always, and if the musicians were to some extent interchangeable, as long as their names are Carl Saunders, Bobby Shew, Bob Summers, Steve Huffsteter, Andy Martin, Dave Ryan, Pete Christlieb, Lanny Morgan, Doug Webb, Kim Richmond, Scott Whitfield, Billy Kerr, Ron Stout, Jack Nimitz or Tom Ranier (to name only some), you'll not hear me complain. The reason they are there is that they are superior sight-readers who can master any band's book on a moment's notice. I'm sure we'll be seeing and hearing many of them again next May, and I'm looking forward to the pleasure. And even though Betty couldn't go with me this time, her presence was felt, as it was her suggestion that I buy a "pen light that enabled me to write in the dark. Now, if I can only learn to read my notes...

Elsewhere...

Betty and I were in Roswell, NM, in mid-September for one of her high-school class reunions, and while there stumbled upon a place called The Frame Shop. While Betty was buying a vase, I saw a poster that read "Second Annual Pecos Valley Jazz & Arts Festival, October 12-14. When I asked the proprietor, Steve Rhodes, if it was left over from last year, he assured me that it wasn't, and that the festival would be held in October. Inquiring further, I learned that the festival was the brainchild of composer/pianist Roger Dickerson, and that a number of fairly well-known artists were to appear including percussionist Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band, saxophonist Houston Person, trumpeter Randy Sandke, drummer Jake Hanna, trombonist John Allred and bassist Nicki Parrott. Needless to say, I was surprised that it was happening, but also delighted. So I told Steve Rhodes I would mention the festival in my online column, which I have now done. There should be a third annual event next October. You can find out more online at www.pecosvalleyjazz.com, or by phoning 505-622-4910, ext. 20. If I am able, I'll try to be there myself.

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