[Dixielandjazz] Back from Hungary and the Bohem Festival

[Judy Eames]

Our trip to the  Bohem Ragtime Jazz Festival was, as always, an 
enjoyable and sociable occasion.

This year focused on pianists and they were certainly put through their 
paces, adding  works by Liszt and some of his associates to their 
repertoires  to celebrate the 200th anniversary of his birth.  It would 
be invidious to single out individuals; all were exceptional; entering 
enthusiastically into the spirit of the festival.  The finale saw all 
the pianists on stage and  Paolo Alderighi, Morton Gunnar Larsen, Butch 
Thompson and Adam Swanson managed to play a 4 handed chorus on one 
piano..... no room for a 5th hand so Mimi Blais had a piano to herself.  
BTW, since describing  Mimi  as a heart-stopping performer, I've found 
that one of our favourite reed players has a temporary driving ban 
because his heart stopped and triggered his pacemaker!  So I'm 
downgrading her to brilliant.

New to us were the Night Owls from France, playing a programme of 
familiar traditional jazz tunes to a very appreciative audience.  The 
late night jam sessions gave some of the "Bohems" and Night Owls the 
opportunity to show that they are equally skilled in, what /we/ call, 
"Mainstream" (American: "Straight Ahead" ?) style.  The new generation 
of players in their 20s and 30s seem less partisan about jazz styles; 
long may that attitude last.

The "Bohems" played with their usual expertise and energy. Tamas 
appeared to have almost lost his voice by Sunday.....  I seem to 
remember that's  happened before! Tamas, his band and the  volunteers 
all work hard to make the occasion enjoyable.  Several of the foreign 
visitors are still in Hungary with their  volunteer tour guide; Bogi.

Back in the UK,  we drove from the airport listening to a CD of  
listmate Butch Thompson and  Doc Cheatham when he (D C that is:-) )was a 
couple of months short of his 89th birthday.  In fact age is almost an 
irrelevance; yes there are a few "fluffy" notes; when aren't there? The 
trumpet  phrasing and tone complemented by  sensitive piano playing are 
just a delight.  If you don't own one, I noticed that Butch still had 
some in his case when we left!

To end on a pessimistic note: next year's festival is in some doubt.  
The economic downturn means that sponsors are pulling out. This is too 
good an international occasion to lose.  Maybe there are some worldwide 
Hungarian associations that  could offer some support?

Jude

www.judyeames.co.uk