January 2011 Newsletter Mixed Bag

Shorts from our January 2011 Newsletter

JAZZ CRUISE PARTICIPANTS WE KNOW, IN ACTION
Here's a shot showing three (actually only two -- you can't quite see Sid Townsend behind the piano, but he was there) stalwart Central Ohio musicians leading a jam session aboard the cruise ship MSC Poesia during its Caribbean "JazzFest at Sea" last November. The other two of course are Mike Evans and Phil Stone, on banjo and cornet respectively.

DO DUTY - DUES DUE
That time of year has rolled around again for all you good and loyal COHJS members - and anyone else reading this newsletter, in hard copy or on the web -- and all friends, neighbors, and relatives thereof, to cogitate the future of this organization that brings great live Classic/Traditional Jazz music to a beautiful venue near you, and consider renewing or creating a new membership, whichever appropriately describes your particular status.  In any event, we want and need your support for this noble endeavor, in the form of the normal annual dues AND your attendance at the superb performances we schedule throughout the year.  And to those who have re-upped already for 2011, we offer our heartfelt thanks and our commitment to carry on the mission in the grandest style possible.

LOST & FOUND DEPT.
We're in possession of a pair of prescription sun glasses left at Makoy Center at last November's COHJS Fall Harvest event, and we'd like to get them back to their rightful owner. Please call Bob Butters at 451-1761.

2011 Annual Open Membership Meeting February 2

NOTICE OF COHJS ANNUAL OPEN MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTIONS

COHJS bylaws require that a meeting, open to the entire membership, be held at least annually for the purpose of electing members of the Board of Directors, and for any other business anyone would like to bring up. (Actually, your Board would be pleased to have any member present at any of its monthly meetings).


The 2011 meeting will take place at the home of COHJS President Bob Butters, 4453 Willowbrook Rd. in Upper Arlington, on Wednesday, February 2, at 7:30 p.m. Members of the Board whose 3-year terms are expiring, and who are standing for reelection, are: .Jim Loeffler, Dave Campbell, and Larry Nusser.

In addition to the Board positions referred to above, there are additional Director vacancies which we would like to fill, and we solicit nominations which we invite and urge the membership to bring to this meeting for consideration.

From the January Jazz Hot Sheet Newsletter

Who's Playing Where? - January 2011

The listings below are to inform our members and readers where local and regional bands are playing regular gigs, within reasonable travel distance of Central Ohio (Cleveland, Dayton, Cincinnati, Toledo, and of course, environs of Columbus). For national and international listings (as well as Ohio) check the American Rag. If planning to attend any of the performances listed below, we recommend checking in advance via the phone numbers listed below, for any changes in schedule.

From the January Jazz Hot Sheet Newsletter

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AH, THERE'S GOOD NEWS TONIGHT!
Dave Greer's Classic Jazz Stompers, a jazz band no stranger to COHJS audiences, resumes regular weekly gigs, this time at Alex's Supper Club in Miamisburg, just south of Dayon. During a year's hiatus induced by its year-ago eviction from a long engagement at the Penthouse Lounge in Dayton's Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dave and the boys kept busy, playing at a number of other events, including a short stint at Dayton's Gilly's night club and last year's COHJS Fall Harvest. This is all ample testimony to the diligence of Dave and the Stompers, as well as the fact that you can't keep a good band down!

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The Florentine Restaurant  ,907 W. Broad St. Columbus, OH: The North Side Jazz Band, 4th Tuesday of the month (call 228-2262 to check), 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Reservations accepted and recommended but not essential.

The Coachlight Room at Just One More Tavern, 7511 Hamilton Ave., Mt. Healthy, OH (Cincinnati Suburb): Bob Adams' Buffalo Ridge Jazz Band, first Thursday of the month, 7 - 10 pm, 513-522-3001.

Alex's on 725 Supper Club, 125 Monarch Lane, Miamisburg, OH (1/2 mile W. off I-75 Exit 44): Dave Greer's Classic Jazz Stompers, every Wednesday, 7:30 - 11:00 pm, 937-866-2266

Red Brick Tavern, old Rt. 40, Lafayette, North of London, OH: The Lower London Street Dixieland Band, last Tuesday of the month, 7 - 10 p.m.

Jimmy V's, Westerville, OH, Anne Young Trio, alternate Tuesdays;

Main Street Bar & Grill, 5758 N. Main St., Sylvania, OH, Haymarket Square: Ragtime Rick & the Chefs of Dixieland, Wednesday nights 8 - 12. Details 419-885-3351

South Briar Restaurant, 5147 Main St. Sylvania, OH 43560: Ray Heitger's N'Orleans Jazz Jam, 7 - 10 p.m, 419-517-1111

The Rusty Nail Restaurant, 7291 SR 43 in Twin Lakes, OH, 44240, between Streetsboro and Kent: The Minstrels of Earlville, first Thursday, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. 440-247-4800

Raintree Restaurant, 25 Pleasant Dr., Chagrin Falls, OH, 440-247-4800: The New Orleans Jazz Ensemble, second Wednesday of month, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m,.

The High Society Jazz Association meets 3rd or 4th Sunday of month, at Abrio's Ristorante, 859 E. State St. Athens, OH, 3 - 6 p.m., with music by the Athens High Society Jazz Band. Guest musicians welcome. Pat Light 740-592-1317.

Barking Spider Tavern, 11310 Juniper Rd., University Circle (Cleveland): The Night Owls, ('20s dance band), 2nd Sunday of month, 3:00 - 5:30 p.m.; The Hot Jazz 7, 3rd Sunday of month, 3:00 - 5:30 p.m.

COHJS Offers Special Discounts for Students and Band Directors

COHJS offers free admission to school band directors, teachers, or assistants accompanying their students.

We, along with many other jazz societies across the country, have been pursuing in recent times, to expose as many as possible of the young people in our midst to the joys and enjoyment of Classic/Traditional Jazz, and thereby encourage enough of a following to carry on the cause when we current crusaders are no longer able to do so.

The recent interest and attendance at COHJS events noted among the young Swing and Lindy Hop dancers is a welcome sign that not only is this possible, but some of it is actually happening.

Your COHJS board has been considering ways of reaching yet more of the younger generations, particularly those of high school, even grade school, age. We note that some schools (still) have instrumental music programs, even jazz bands, so we know there's musical interest on the part of both students and faculty. Existing policy allows free admission to any COHJS concert event for anyone 18 or under when accompanied by a paying adult. In an effort to attract more students (specifically) and involve their teachers or band directors (who perhaps are not conversant with Classic/Traditional jazz themselves), we have decided to offer free admission to school band directors, teachers, or assistants accompanying their students. We expect to communicate this to area schools in hopes of interesting as many as possible.

We think that Classic/Tradtional jazz, America's uniquely original art form, should have at least an equal place alongside other forms which have evolved since, in the teaching of our common musical heritage. And we want to offer this practical means of introducing as many as possible to the Classic/Traditional idiom.

From the January Jazz Hot Sheet Newsletter 

Upcoming COHJS Concerts in 2011

We have locked in several of our 2011 concert dates.  Mark your calendar!

BIX BEIDERBECKE TRIBUTE BY ANDY SCHUMM AND HIS GANG TO OPEN COHJS 2011 SEASON MARCH 27

Legendary early jazz cornetist Leon Bismark "Bix" Beiderbecke will be the focus of an entertaining and educational concert by a young rising star in the Traditional/Cassic Jazz world, Andy Schumm, and his band, which he calls his "Gang", after the terminology applied by Bix himself to his own group which he led during the 1920s between working with the Wolverines, Jean Goldkette, and Paul Whiteman orchestras.

Andy Schumm

At age 24 and only recently out of University of Illinois, Andy (his bio says he "is willing to do whatever it takes to play the good stuff") is now domiciled in the Chicago area, and working with a variety of the best bands in the country, including the likes of Vince Giordano's Nighthawks, He is no stranger to your COHJS, having been here a couple of times with other bands, but this will mark his first appearance here as band leader and historical authority on Bix and particularly his music and style. Andy has studied Bix and already has done a number of programs based on the Davenport, Iowa-born musician, and we look forward to an interesting and enjoyable afternoon at Makoy Center on Sunday, March 27.

WEST END JAZZ BAND NEXT UP ON MAY 15

Save this date for a return performance by Chicago's West End Jazz Band, one of the most delightfully danceable groups ever to swing out in Makoy Center's Art Deco'd Burgundy Room, with their expertly executed arrangements of the hot jazz dance music of the 1920s. Lindy Hop and Swing dancers take note!

FALL HARVEST OF BANDS AND HOLIDAY CHARITY EVENT DATE THIS YEAR SET FOR NOVEMBER 13

Please notch this date into your calendar for our traditional 3-band extravaganza charity benefit concert!

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This article appears in the January 2011 Jazz Hot Sheet Newsletter