June Means Jazz as Festivals Flourish

Jack Bowers

Senior Contributor since 1997

A former newspaper writer / editor who has been writing about big-band Jazz for more than fifteen years.

Recent articles (1,750 total)

Published: July 12, 2012

The Monterey Festival has also announced the winner of the Next Generation Jazz Festival's Gerald Wilson Gerald Wilson
b.1918
composer/conductor Award for composition, Christopher McCarthy from Roosevelt High School in Seattle, WA. His composition, "Something Small," will be performed September 23 by the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra.

One More Reminder

It's not too late to make plans for "Groovin' Hard," the Los Angeles Jazz Institute's four-day event October 11-14 at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel. Headliners include the Buddy Rich Buddy Rich
1917 - 1987
drums Alumni Band featuring Peter Erskine Peter Erskine
b.1954
drums ; the Don Ellis Don Ellis
1934 - 1978
trumpet Reunion Band; a Maynard Ferguson Maynard Ferguson
1928 - 2006
trumpet Alumni Tribute, a Louie Bellson Louie Bellson
1924 - 2009
drums Explosion Reunion, Thad Jones Thad Jones
1923 - 1986
trumpet / Mel Lewis Mel Lewis
1929 - 1990
drums Revisited, the Bill Watrous Bill Watrous
b.1939
trombone Manhattan Wildlife Refuge, the Creative World of Stan Kenton Stan Kenton
1911 - 1979
piano , and new looks at Chase, Gerry Mulligan Gerry Mulligan
1927 - 1996
sax, baritone 's Age of Steam, Gil Evans Gil Evans
1912 - 1988
composer/conductor ' Svengali, and Patrick Williams Patrick Williams
' Threshold and Aurora, in addition to the usual films, panel discussions and special presentations. For information, phone 562-200-5477 or go online to lajazzinstitute.org

Amd that's it for now. Until next time, keep swingin' . . . !

New and Noteworthy

1. James Morrison, Snappy Too (Morrison Records)
2. Aschaffenburger Big Band, Second Take (Main-Echo)
3. Kirk MacDonald Jazz Orchestra, Deep Shadows (Addo)
4. Jim Manley, Eight (Victoria Company)
5. Ron Carter's Great Big Band, Untitled (Summit)
6. NOVA Jazz Orchestra, Who Sez You Can't Dance to Be-bop? (Self Published)
7. Jim Manley, Eight (Victoria Company)
8. Clare Fischer Big Band, Continuum (Clavo Records)
9. The Frank Griffith Big Band, Holland Park Non-Stop (Hep) 10. Tommy Vig Orchestra, Welcome to Hungary! (Artisjus)
11. Deutsche Oper Berlin Big Band, Premiere (Mons)
12. Ed Partyka Jazz Orchestra, Songs of Love Lost (Mons)
13. Two Bone Big Band, Hornplayers Fifty-Fifty (Mons)
14. Eyal Vilner, Introducing the Eyal Vilner Big Band (Gut String Records)
15. University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire, A Gentleman Named John (Sea Breeze Vista)