[Dixielandjazz] Re: Tony Bennett -- Sacramento Jazz Jubilee

[TCASHWIGG at aol.com]

Hi Bob:   Well in my opinion you Should be on the STJS Entertainment 
committee.

Again if I seemed to be talking specifically to you or about the STJS it was 
not intentional, I am speaking generically, and yes STJS is indeed much better 
than many of the other smaller little groups.  :))   Some of the smaller 
groups also do some good work and are successful.

I try to throw out verbiage that will hopefully get folks in the societies to 
think more out of the comfortable box that they have operated in for so many 
years and realize that they could indeed do so much more and be even more 
successful if they would try and expand their horizons and activities.

Yes, Nellie is a nice lady indeed and still a formidable entertainer when 
invited and given the opportunity to perform.

Even I would drive to Sacramento to see and hear her and PAY double the 
admission, and I am certain many others would do the same if she were promoted and 
given proper recognition.

'Twas indeed a Pity, but Hadda Brooks got a whole new career at age 78 when 
she was DISCOVERED AGAIN and by young folks too.  At 80 years old she still had 
the Fire in the Belly and was a feisty entertainer and still able to knock 
the keys off of a piano playing boogie woogie.  She still could sing ballads 
that would melt your heart as well and delivered them with the same feeling at 
age 80 that she did at age 30.  I only regret that I never had the exposure to 
her when I was younger due to her exile from live performing from simply having 
been forgotten by those who knew and admired her in her early days.

Unfortunately there are far too many other great entertainers still sitting 
around waiting to be rediscovered, and they would love to come back out in the 
public eye and be appreciated again.  That is in my opinion an issue that 
should be embraced by all Jazz Societies before we are all dead and useless to 
each other and the public, not to mention future generations.

Cheers,

Tom Wiggins