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

[Steve Gilmore]

Had Many experiences simular to that over the years. One of the more
memorable was playing with Phil Woods at the George wein's Nice jazz
festivalin the 80s. By that time there wasn't much regular jazz but we
were one of 3 bands playing in a large field. We were playing at the
same time as "Fats Domino" and you would hear his set very clearly -
especially during the bass solos. Of course quotes like " I got my
thrill on blueberry hill were rife thoughout our improvisation as
expected. the old expression " you can put jazz anywhere" fits very
nicely ( excuse the pun ) here.
               Steve Gilmore

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--