[Dixielandjazz] preliminary report Sacramento Music Festival from Lu Shaw American Rag

[Robert Ringwald]

preliminary report.  Remember, you saw it here first!  For further information about
American Rag, subscription info, see their website.


Excerpts from AMERICAN RAG article on the Sacramento Music Festival.
By Lew Shaw


CHANGE was the operative word in assessing the 39th
Sacramento Music Festival (nee Dixieland/Jazz Jubilee/Festival) over Memorial Day
weekend. In explaining the reason for the name change, STJS Executive Director
Vivian Abraham
stated: “The answer is simple – because it was time; time to broaden the appeal
of the event by shifting some of our focus to other popular forms of American music
such as Blues, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Country, Rockabilly, Rhythm & Blues, Bluegrass and
Zydeco; time to feature bands better known to the mainstream public.”
In her post-fest comments, she reported that crowds were up, comments were positive
overall, the weather was delightfully cool, and the younger audience (the Festival’s
prime marketing target) came out in droves and appreciated the younger bands and
different styles. A comment she said she heard throughout the weekend was “there
is a real positive vibe this year”
As Talent Coordinator John Cocuzzi,
who scheduled 85 musical groups in 450 sets at 25 venues over four days, stated
in an interview, “I realize we’re attempting the impossible: to have something for
everyone. We’ll still have traditional jazz, but we’ve broaden the musical offerings
and made the Festival more of a community and family event rather than just a jazz
jubilee.”
The traditional jazz, ragtime and swing sets mainly took place in six venues at three
hotels (Holiday Inn, Hyatt Regency, Sheraton Grand, with the later designated as
the Heritage Area). The parade in Old Sac was moved to Saturday morning, and there
was the usual Memorial Day “Salute to Service” observances on Monday. The 2,000 volunteers
kept things running smoothly, and the shuttle buses ran continually between the Convention
Center and the Holiday Inn midtown.
A new feature was a Next Generation Band Finale emceed by Bob Draga on Monday that
brought together an all-star group of young musicians from the 15 youth bands that
performed at the Festival. The 28th annual
Ragtime Corner
was held in the Golden State Room on the Mezzanine of the Hyatt Regency, while daily
banjo sessions took place aboard the historic Delta King berthed in the Sacramento
River and in the California State Railroad Museum in Old Sac.
The Festival again hosted a week-long Road Scholar program (formerly Elderhostel)
at the Clarion Hotel, directed by Linda and Mike Foley, with Sue Kroninger, Eddie
Erikson and Chris Calabrese
serving as faculty. The focus was on An Exploration of Jazz Styles, with sessions
on jazz history, the business of jazz, and a tribute to Fats Waller. The participants
were able to access the Musicians Hospitality Room at the Holiday Inn where they
could mingle with the musicians and discuss their craft.
While final numbers are still being tabulated, the projected four-day attendance
figure is expected to be in excess of 70,000. Vivian Abraham
made note of the fact that the weak economy impacted the Festival’s bottom line
with people not spending as much on alcoholic beverages, food and souvenirs.  Bandleader
and former STJS prexy
Dick Johnson takes over as Emperor from Bob Ringwald and will rule over the 40th
anniversary celebration come May 24-27, 2013.
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