[Dixielandjazz] Spreading the Word (OT)

[Vaxtrpts at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/8/2005 7:38:48 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
dave at creolejazz.com writes:
Yo, Mike. Welcome back. Do you remember playing the RAWHIDE festival in about 
1984 or 1985 with Jerry Hoover, me, and some other guys? I hear you've been 
doing a great job "spreading the word" with your big band. Keep up the good 
work.

Dave
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Good to hear from you, Dave.  I remember that festival very well. I see Jerry 
Hoover every summer, when we do the jazz camp at Drury University in 
Springfield, MO. He is an amazing educator and still does things with his dixieland 
band.
Thanks for the nice comments.  Yes, the Mike Vax Big Band (featuring alumni 
of the Stan Kenton Orchestra) is touring every year now.
While this is not really "trad" related, we do get back on the bus and tour 
for a couple of weeks.  We do almost all high schools and colleges and try to 
spread the word of big band music to the YOUNG people. We do a free clinic 
every afternoon and a concert at night.
The band is made up of a "who's who" of big band musicians who are also 
leaders of their own bands, such as: Bob Florence, Carl Saunders, Kim Richmond, 
Dennis Noday, and many others.  Great fun -- but really HARD to book an 18 piece 
band these days.
If any of you are interested, we will be in Texas and Louisiana this coming 
April.  I will be glad to either post the itinerary on this list or send it out 
individually.
Mike Vax