Ted Unseth

Ted Unseth

and the

Classic Jazz Orchestra Project

Past:

01.  1970-1973: Ted Unseth, Teacher/Music Director,

Urban Arts; Mpls., MN

High school students working with artists in the artists’

environments.  Several students formed the nucleus of the

first Classic Jazz Orchestra.

02:  1973-1980: Original Early Band

Wolverines Classic Jazz Orchestra (WCJO)

Ted Unseth, Sole Founder/Director

03:  1980-1984: Partnership Band

Still named WCJO

Lost the high profile WCJO name to former partners after 1984.

04: 1982-1988: Septet Band

De Stijlistics/Americana Classic Jazz Ensemble

05. 1993: 20th Anniversary Band

renamed: Americana Classic Jazz Orchestra (ACJO)

06. 2008: Rehearsal Band

Americana Classic Jazz Orchestra

07. 2010: Pro Bono Band

Americana Classic Jazz Orchestra

08. 1970’s: Jazz-related Classical

Wolverines Classic Jazz Orchestra

Future:

09. 2013-Present: Classical Orchestra

Americana Jazz Classical Orchestra (AJCO)

10. Piano + String Quintet

Americana Classical Jazz Sextet (ACJS)

Ted Unseth

4205 15th Ave. S.

Minneapolis, MN 55407

952-220-8712

[email protected]

Awards

Proclamation

WHEREAS, Ted Unseth received this Thank You from President Jimmy Carter in 1977:

 "I deeply appreciate your playing at the inaugural parties. I am especially grateful for the

unselfish help and spirit freely given for the enjoyment of those in attendance. You have

set an example of what we Americans can accomplish by sharing our talents and energies

with each other.”

Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States of America

WHEREAS, Ted Unseth received this Thank You from U of MN Music School Director:

“Thank you for sharing your work, and for the significant labor and time you have

devoted to preserving and advancing the art of music performance, as well as the arts of

detailed transcription and orchestration. Many congratulations on your achievements and

recognition.”

David Myers, Director U of MN School of Music

WHEREAS, Ted Unseth received this from legendary KSJN radio host, Leigh Kamman:

"I'm just thrilled to get the 'Americana Classic Jazz Orchestra 20th Anniversary Concerts

- Collector's Edition' CD. It's historic and so valuable-- I treasure it."

Leigh Kamman, "The Jazz Image"; Minnesota Public Radio

WHEREAS, Ted Unseth received this from St. Paul Pioneer Press columnist Bob Protzman:

"There may be a no more stubbornly dedicated jazz musician in the Twin Cities than Ted

Unseth. Unseth's devotion to the music of that period (the Jazz Age) is as scholarly as it

is obsessive and there are few if any who can speak as intelligently and enthusiastically

about music as Unseth."

Bob Protzman, St. Paul Sunday Pioneer Press

WHEREAS, Ted Unseth received this from National Endowment for the Arts program specialist Jeff Anthony:

It is tantamount to a national disgrace when one perceives the lack of knowledge and exposure to the musical talents and creations of America's own artists, and the extent to which their work has been documented as compared to our European counterparts.

Your project is in keeping with the spirit and charter by which this agency was created, and we are very pleased to be able to recognize your efforts in this area. I hope this grant serves as a guide to other funding sources as to the importance of your work.

Jeff Anthony, Program Specialist, NEA; 1984

WHEREAS, Ted Unseth, at age 75, has served the Minneapolis community with public music director engagements from 1973-Present.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JACOB FREY, Mayor of Minneapolis, do hereby proclaim  July 5, 2022, as:

Ted Unseth Day

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS

A federal agency advised by the National Council on the Arts

September 27, 1984

Washington D.C. 20506

Mr. Theodore P. Unseth

1423 Washington Avenue S. #1

Minneapolis, MN 55454

Dear Ted,

Just a note to add my personal congratulations to you regarding your grant from the NEA.

The Jazz Advisory Panel, which made the recommendation for funding, was composed of some of the most experienced, talented, and astute musicians in America today. They were excited and pleased to be able to recommend your project for funding.

The Panel felt that the value of your project in maintaining and preserving the rich musical heritage of our indigenous American music, Jazz, and exposing that music to a wider audience was of utmost importance. Not just in terms of the contribution to the Jazz literature, but also to the communities in which the musicians live and perform.

It is tantamount to a national disgrace when one perceives the lack of knowledge and exposure to the musical talents and creations of America's own artists, and the extent to which their work has been documented as compared to our European counterparts.

Your project is in keeping with the spirit and charter by which this agency was created, and we are very pleased to be able to recognize your efforts in this area. I hope this grant serves as a guide to other funding sources as to the importance of your work.

Sincerely,

Jeff Anthony

Program Specialist Music Program

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