[Dixielandjazz] Elkhart, Ind.Jazz Festival.

[ross anderson]

Dear Mad Dog,
Thank you for your revue , what a thrill to be there with all those 
wonderful guys and gals,
Cheers to ALL,
Ross Anderson,
"New Melbourne Jazz Band."
Phone/Fax, 61-3-98012237,
www.newmelbournejazzband.com
http://www.myspace.com/thenewmelbournejazzband

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lowell Busching" <verbose at daktel.com>
To: <rossanmjband at iprimus.com.au>
Cc: "Dixieland Jazz Mailing List" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2008 2:59 PM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Elkhart, Ind.Jazz Festival.


> 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
>
>
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