Jacksonville: Big City, Big Band, Big Plans

Jack Bowers

Senior Contributor since 1997

A former newspaper writer / editor who has been writing about big-band Jazz for more than fifteen years.

Recent articles (1,749 total)

Published: August 5, 2009

I seldom comment on so-called Jazz Festivals, preferring to vote with my feet, but a flyer I received from Jazz Aspen Snowmass left me speechless, my lower jaw hanging as if unattached to my face. This year's "headliners" include the Allman Brothers Band, Black Eyed Peas, the Doobie Brothers, Michael Franti, Citizen Cope, Umphrey's McGee and the Drive By Truckers. Say what? Okay, I do recognize a couple of names (Allman, Doobie) but not in any jazz context I can recall. I know these events have to make money, but why call them jazz festivals? They seem to have about as much kinship to jazz as Guy Lombardo or Lawrence Welk. As a lifelong jazz fan, I'm somewhat troubled by festivals such as Snowmass who (mis)use the name "jazz" as a basis for presenting rock and other forms of "pop" music to an audience. Perhaps some of the above-named are "jazz" artists, but I've heard nothing to bear that out. In the final analysis, however, my opinion carries about as much weight as a bulimic super-model. "Jazz Aspen Snowmass" will continue as before, and perhaps that's a good thing, as the thousands who attend may at least think they are hearing jazz and be more open to the real thing should it ever stray past their ears.

And that's it for now. Until next time, keep swingin' . . . !

New and Noteworthy

1. Bob Florence Limited Edition, Legendary (MAMA)
2. Paul Ferguson Jazz Orchestra, Live at the Bop Stop (Azica)
3. Resonance Big Band, Plays Tribute to Oscar Peterson (Resonance)
4. Dave Siebels, With Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band (PBGL)
5. Jason Hainsworth, Kaleidoscope (DW Jazz)
6. Vaughn Wiester, Herb-al Remedy (BRC)
7. University of Northern Iowa, Thinking Globally, Acting Locally (UNI Jazz)
8. The London Horn Sound, Give It One (Cala Records)
9. DePaul University Jazz Ensemble, Next Season (DePaul Jazz)
10. Portland Jazz Orchestra, Good Morning, Geek (PJO)
11. Dave Rivello Ensemble, Facing the Mirror (Allora Records)
12. Howard University Jazz Ensemble, HUJE 2008 (HUJE Jazz)
13. Jentsch Group Large, Cycles (Fleur de Son)
14. Fat Cat Big Band, Meditations on the War (Smalls)
15. Northeastern Oklahoma State Jazz Ensemble, Global Citizen (no label)