[Dixielandjazz] NOJ& H Fest-- drummer Hal Smith writes

[Harry Callaghan]

And we must not forget that it was Hal's ensemble that backed Rebecca
Kilgore on her FABULOUS "Countin' on Fats" album.
HC
On Wed, May 11, 2011 at 9:13 AM, Norman Vickers <nvickers1 at cox.net> wrote:

>  To:  Musicians & Jazzfans list; DJML
>
> From: Norman Vickers, Jazz Society of Pensacola
>
>
>
> Veteran drummer Hal Smith writes about his experience in performing at
> NOJ&H Fest.  Thanks Hal.
>
>
>
> For the few on this list who are unfamiliar with Hal and his career:  He’s
> a California native who lived and worked over a decade in NO performing with
> traditional groups.  Then was executive with the Traditional Jazz Society in
> San Diego—America’s Finest City Dixieland  Jazz Society ( hope I got that
> right—always a tongue and finger-twister)  Then had a stint with Jim Cullum
> band in San Antonio.  He a train buff and jazz historian.  His brief jazz
> historical pieces in the AFCDJS newsletter are treasures.  Hal’s musical
> friend frequently call him back to NO to perform.  He’s opened the French
> Quarter fest with Pete Fountain and others in previous years.  The American
> Rag had a piece about his in past few months on occasion of his departure
> from Jim Cullum Band—(primary reason--needed to rest/ rehabilitate  his
> shoulder)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* Hal Smith [mailto:hws08 at live.com]
> *Sent:* Tuesday, May 10, 2011 4:18 PM
> *To:* F. Norman Vickers
> *Subject:* RE: New Orleans-- Treme' Second Season; NPR blog with link
>
>
>
> I played the second weekend of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
> with bands led by Banu Gibson and Tim Laughlin (May 5 and 6 respectively).
>
> There was quite a bit of good jazz--vintage *and* modern--in the festival
> lineup, but I wonder if the other bands had as much difficulty hearing
> themselves onstage as we did with Banu's and Tim's group.
>
> The sound was turned up so high in the surrounding tents that it was
> like trying to play in a thunderstorm; not a conducive atmosphere for the
> subtle dynamics of New Orleans Jazz and Swing!
>
>
>
> --end--
>



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