JAZZFEST 2004, A WONDERFUL SUCCESS

We were blessed with great weather, beautiful music and large appreciative crowds for the 21st Pensacola JazzFest the first weekend in April. Line-up included Jazz Ensembles from University of West Florida and Pensacola Junior College, two New Orleans clarinetists Tim Laughlin and Evan Christopher, New York jazz pianist Russell Kassoff, vocalist Kitt Lough and her quartet, and blues and boogie pianist Carl “Sonny” Leyland trio from California. There was a Swiss guitar duo, Tonic Strings, paired with Mobile saxophonist Joe Lewis, Don Gumpert’s Dixieland Saints and Jones & Company ensemble to complete to program.

New this year was a Youth Stage chaired by Renee Giles and Joe Occhipinti. Performing there was Doug Back’s middle-school string ensemble from Montgomery, Ransom Middle School Jazz Band, Escambia High Jazz Band, singer-guitarist Mike Potters, and the Swing Kids Dancers. Also new was a jam session led by Joe Occhipinti on Saturday night at Bay Beach Inn, our JazzFest Headquarters.
 

Thanks to our commercial sponsors, VIP donors and the NW FL Arts Council and Florida Arts Council. Thanks to the committee chairs and to the Performance committee lead by Crystal Joy.

The winning poster design for the Pensacola JazzFest 2004 was submitted by Robert Towson, a graphic artist who lives in Pace. This year's design incorporates the image of cornetist Don Gumpert of Ft. Walton Beach. Towson is a previous winner of the poster contest, having won the design for the Pensacola JazzFest 2001. The poster image will also be used for the T-Shirt design for this year's T-shirts. Both the posters and T-shirts will be for sale soon. Contact the Jazz Society office at 850-433-8382 for details.

JAZZFEST 2004 HEADLINERS

Crystal Joy Albert, Performance Committee Chair, for Pensacola JazzFest announced the following headliners for the free April 3 & 4 event.

Pianist Russell Kassoff of New York City, Carl Sonny Leyland trio from California, clarinetist Tim Laughlin Trio and clarinetist Evan Christopher both of New Orleans.

Kassoff performs in New York City in recording studio as well as classical and jazz settings. His previous performance in Pensacola was pianist for Monica Mancini’s performance last spring with the Pensacola Symphony POPs program. Kassoff was music director for the recently completed Sackets (NY) Jazz Festival.

Pianist Carl Sonny Leyland is an Englishman currently living in Orange County California. His jazz styles include ragtime to current, but his specialty is blues and boogie. Besides that, he sings! Performing with Leyland will be veteran drummer Hal Smith of San Diego and bassist Marty Eggers. Eggers himself is an accomplished ragtime pianist.

Clarinetist Tim Laughlin brings his trio which will include pianist Tom McDermott with drummer Hal Smith doing double-duty with Laughlin and Leyland. Tim’s newest CD is entitled Isle of Orleans. Laughlin has performed in Pensacola previously at JazzFest and he has been a member of the Dukes of Dixieland. McDermott, in addition to his piano skills, is a recognized journalist. McDermott has produced a recent solo piano CD.

Clarinetist Evan Christopher now lives in New Orleans. Born in California, he was for several years clarinetist with Jim Cullum’s band in San Antonio. He moved to New Orleans to be closer to the roots of jazz. Christopher plays an Albert-system clarinet, the system which the early New Orleans jazz players used. (Most performers use the Boehm system.) Christopher will perform in various ensembles at JazzFest. Christopher is also a published jazz historian and works with the Tulane Jazz Archive staff. He has an article in the recent Tulane Jazz Archive publication.

Jazz violinist Tom Morley of Fairhope will perform with the Tim Laughlin’s Trio on Sunday April 4. Morley is a classical and jazz violinist. He has several groups which he leads including a “pseudo-classical” and a Celtic group. Morley and Laughlin have recorded a CD together and Morley has other CDs of his own groups.

Vocalist Kitt Lough of Nashville will bring her quartet. She is a native Pensacolian who has lives and performs in Nashville. She has a recent CD and is excited about returning to her hometown to perform at JazzFest.

Crystal Joy Albert, in expressing the committee’s excitement about the headliners said, “ Because we have such an outstanding group of pianists, JazzFest has contracted with Reynalds Music House for use of their 9-foot Yamaha Concert Grand.”