[Dixielandjazz] Tony Bennett at the Sonoma Jazz & Wine Festival

[TCASHWIGG at aol.com]

In a message dated 5/4/05 10:27:44 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
robert at ringwald.com writes:

> 
> We have had Anita O'Day as our headliner for the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee.
> 
> And Nellie Lutcher at our monthly concert.  I wonder if she is still alive 
> &/or still entertaining.  She was ABSOLUTELY GREAT! the time we had her as 
> guest.
> 
> --Bob Ringwald
> 
> 

Well, then it was before my time I suppose, but that still begs the question 
of Why is she not still being brought in? She is certainly a MUCH Bigger Star 
Attraction than Maria Muldaur, who is a fine singer but certainly NO Anita 
O'Day.   And the old idea of We can't Afford her is pure poppycock, she draws 
hard ticket buyers far beyond her fees, if she did not she would not continue to 
play the same high class venues.

Yes, Nellie is still alive and well and living in Los Angeles.

Funny thing but I offered to book Anita, Nellie, and Hadda Brooks to the 
Sacramento Jazz Festival as well as many other Traditional Jazz Societies for 
several years but never even got the courtesy of a REPLY of any interest at all 
from any of them.

Unfortunately Hadda has Passed away now, and Nellie and Anita can't be too 
far behind as they are both in their eighties now.

Maybe it's the old Chick Singer syndrome hanging on :))

Well, Anita is still selling out in New York and Hollywood when she performs 
there and her reviews are still great so I simply don't see any excuse that is 
acceptable for ANY Jazz Society not to invite them to perform, especially if 
you are really into preserving the music.

That is where Jazz Societies money should be going if you want to keep 
attracting substantial numbers of real OKOM Music lovers of the older generation, 
and all the while working to attract a younger audience to replace them and 
perpetuate the music and your purported mission purposes.

I shudder to think about the future of Jazz Societies as they dwindle to 
Sunday afternoon 78 rpm  scratchy record listenings in somebody's basement as a 
BYOB party.  :))

Cheers,

Tom Wiggins