[Dixielandjazz] Boondockers at Pensacola JazzFest

[Norman Vickers]

Yes, the Boondockers were a big hit at the Pensacola JazzFest.  They were
supplemented by Pensacola performers Don Lewis, trombonist, and Bob
Maksymkow, clarinetist. In my way of thinking, Boondockers were sort of an
"antidote" to the Rebirth Brass Band.

The Boondockers had an appropriate mix of comedy and good music.  We were
pleased to have them on the festival line-up.


Gary Church, trumpeter/cornetist now of Las Vegas, played with the Sammy
Gardner/ Don Gumpert hip dixieland group here at the Seville Quarter
Entertainment Complex in the late 60s -early 70s.  I was told by Sandy
Gumpert, Don's widow, and it was confirmed by Gary, that Gary was playing
the cornet given to him by Don.

We usually have our out-of-town bands play once each day on the main stage.
There is a main stage and a youth stage.
Youth stage was added last year and will be a continuing attraction.  It is
far enough away from the main stage that there is no sound overlap.  WE
schedule bands, many local high school acts and some from out of town, which
we think will be of interest to school age kids and their parents.
Frequently the kids will stay after they or their friends have performed and
"dig" the major acts on the main stage.  We had a string group--banjo,
mandolin, guitar- of about 20 drive down from Montgomery to appear on the
Youth Stage for the second year.  We give a small stipend to each band which
plays on the youth stage, but parents car-pooled the kids, so what we could
pay didn't meet their expenses.  Yet, they were willing to come for the
experience and the exposure.

Regarding the music of Rebirth-- it's contemporary New Orleans street music.
The 9 guys were good, and as has been said, had iron chops.  On Saturday we
had a "second line Parade" by Rebirth from the youth stage, through the park
and then up on the main stage.  As they went, they gathered a crowd which
stood in front of the stage ( a la Rock groups) and generally demonstrated
by jumping, jivin' wavin' handkerchiefs and umbrellas and dancing in place
( as there was no room  for them to spread out) There was an umbrella
decorating contest and there was a cash prize for the best decorated
umbrella.

I like to say that there's some music which gets you in the head, some in
the heart and some lower down.  In the case of Rebirth, it was the latter.

We'll have photos posted on the Jazz Society of Pensacola website in a few
days.  I'll let you know when they're up.

In all, a great event.  Thanks to all who participated. New Orleans bassist
Pat Cooke was also present.  He has been a former participant in DJML.
Several of you have asked about him. When I asked him about why his comments
have been absent from DJML lately, I got a vague answer.  I suspect that he
gave up his computer for Lent and then just continued the pattern.  Maybe
he'll see fit later to grace us with his sage observations and comments.

Greetings to all from Pensacola, the city of 14,000 blue roofs ( the color
of tarps put on by FEMA after Hurrican Ivan in September.-- This is a
meterologic, not a political statement.)  I don't have a blue roof, but I
expect to get a new roof on my own home later this month.

Norman-- Pens. JazzFest is over.  I can have a nervous breakdown for a week.
Then start over for next year--- Vickers