[Dixielandjazz] Elkhart, Ind.Jazz Festival.

[Lowell Busching]

Since Hal did not make it this year to the Elkhart Jazz Festival held 
last weekend, and I have seen no other posts on this fine festival, I 
feel I should say a few words. If you do not agree, feel free to delete 
this message as it may be verbose. (See my ID)


Talent and Scheduling

One plus this year was the return after 10 years of Van Young, who is 
listed in the program  simply as the Talent Advisory person.

Although there was not quite as much "diversity" in the kind of players 
as in his first festivals many years ago, where modern and traditional 
musicians were mixed and matched in often unique combinations, it was 
about as good as it gets today.  I am sure he is working on getting it 
back on track.

As he announced several times, Elkhart is supported only 30% by ticket 
sales. 70% comes from sponsors, both private and companies. They are 
exceptionally successful in this.  Learn from them. You too can be 
sponsored by a Plywood Manufacturer like Eddie Higgins!

Sound:

I understand the current sound team for the 6 venues has been around for 
some time now, but I noticed a big improvement across the board (to use 
a very bad pun.) in the sound this year.  They actually seemed to know 
what acoustic type sound is, using sound re-inforcement as opposed to 
amplification. All sets sounded like they were coming from the stage 
naturally. You had to look for the speakers in most cases!  This is 
highly unusual! Suspended speakers etc.

The sound crew were professionals, like I believe all or most of the 
European festivals are and other festivals around the world? Rather then 
largely untrained amateurs working for their free badges like many in 
the US.  The difference is that this crew  actually appeared to listen 
to the sound and the mix!  What a novel approach for a US OKOM festival!!!

The pianos in all venues from outdoors, to tents, to classic theaters, 
to the Knights of Columbus "hall" were top of the line Yamaha's. All 
apparently tuned. I heard no complaints from the piano players. AND they 
were miked correctly for OKOM in my opinion. "My way".

There were even enough mikes, clearly marked and numbered, to handle any 
size group. Thus the setups were done quickly and with few, if any, 
problems. Extremely efficient. Speakers were unobtrusive and out of the 
way of the line of sight for the customers to view the musicians.

The few problems I noted were caused, as usual, by trying to satisfy the 
musicians as to the monitor mixes. There were no problems I noted for 
the audience mixes. Musicians may have another take on this?

Musicians.

As to the quality of the musicians, as always it was top notch from the 
local area musicians and military jazz bands to the best of the All 
Stars playing OKOM today. With Val's added touch in the choices.

Among the names you might recognize:

Piano: Eddie Higgins, John Sheridan, Derek Smith, Johnny  Varro and 
Shelly Berg. Also Taylor Eigesti, a young player "discovered" at Elkhart 
several years ago now. A former trio had Dave Brubeck's sons one year.

Bass: Paul Keller, Nicki Parrot, Frank Tate, and John Bany.

Guitar: Howard Alden, Marty Grosz  and Bucky Pizzarelli.

Reeds:  Chuck Hedges, Terry Myers, Ken Peplowski, Allan Vache,
John Orsini (also from Florida like Terry. First time I heard him.)
and Claire McKenna from Mighty Aphrodite. That band did a great job, 
with the addition of Katie Cavera on guitar and banjo to boot.

Brass: Bill Allred, Jon-Erick Kelso, Randy Sandke, Warren Vache, and 
Jiggs Whigham.. Bria Skonberg also of course.

Drums: Jake Hanna, Ed Metz. Jr., Butch Miles and Randy Drake.

Yes. For those musicians who might be worried that there were no 
vocalists to accompany, there were singers like Terrie Richards Alden 
Carol Leigh and the singers from Mighty Aphrodite among others.

The solo musicians in various combinations were rounded out by several 
groups besides those mentioned. Like the Original Salty Dogs.

  One band I found particularly easy to listen to was "Yoshimi and 
Carolina Shout", a Japanese trad band minus a trombone for this festival 
for some reason.

Perhaps a hiring problem left over from my complaints over the last few 
years of the many sets at Elkhart with no trombones or only added at the 
last minute.  Bill Allred played with CS on two sets over the weekend. 
  They Swing. What more can you ask?

Hire CS for your next festival or jazz party. The audience will love 
them, even without Bill.  Minimal English spoken. Practice your Japanese 
from Berliz.

This has already been far too verbose, but I think the festival was 
deserving of the space on the DJML. Well worth the problems getting 
there via ground transportation due to the floods blocking railroad 
tracks, etc.

Oh yes. The musicians LOVE the Elkhart festival. They are treated well. 
Almost like human beings!  A novelty for some of them. Good motel. High 
Security protected lounge near the venues to keep out the "civilians" as 
Bill Allred would say. Even good food in previous years anyway.  Get 
your bids into Val.  Small town atmosphere. Big city quality.  20 years 
now and planning to keep going.

Mad Dog