The Lost Art of Classic Jazz

When you think of jazz, most of us conjure up the smooth sounds of Kenny G, possibly Ray Charles and his woeful blues, or maybe the sultry tones of Diana Krall. But there are entire genres of jazz—styles that are important to our Nation’s history—that are unheard of by new generations of music fans. The classic styles of Dixieland, ragtime and stride are virtually lost to young listeners who aren’t being exposed to the “party music” that played during the 1890s to 1930s.

From the age of 13, my father has been a classic jazz junkie so I grew up listening to this music. Blaring from our hi fi through iPod docking station, it’s my family’s music legacy. My kids call it “Poppy’s Music” and it’s as familiar to them as their own favorite playlists.

There are musicians who are preserving these classic styles of jazz as art and the best way to hear them live is at a classic jazz festival. For twelve years, my father and his two partners produced the Orange County Classic Jazz Festival, one of the most popular festivals on the circuit. Fans appreciated the range of bands and the smooth efficiency in which the festival was run. Musicians from around the world—Siberia, France, England, New Orleans, Connecticut, to name a few—wanted to play at my dad’s festival because they appreciated being able to use the finest instruments (my dad only rented the best!), and getting paid promptly for their performances (my dad’s a super-organized CPA/CEO type).

The festival became a family reunion and each year my extended family would meet up at the hotel for a weekend’s worth of music listening and people-watching. You see, the people who attend classic jazz festivals have the most contagious upbeat, joy-filled spirits I have ever witnessed. They come dressed up in period costume to party, dance, listen and socialize…and the average age is around 65!

A classic jazz festival is one of the hidden gems in entertainment. For a minimal fee, you get a pass that allows you to go from venue to venue to listen to one hour sets from a variety of bands throughout the entire day. Most festival producers—my dad and his partners included—put them on to preserve the music for generations. It’s not a money-making endeavor but a labor of love. It’s an extremely safe environment and when our kids were young, we were comfortable allowing them some freedom to roam and explore.

Such a great family outing, but sadly most families don’t know about these festivals. If you discover one in your area, I encourage you to check it out! Here’s a great source for some wonderful festivals around the world.

After twelve successful seasons, my dad and his partners made the decision to end the Orange County Classic Jazz Festival, but my dad, never one to rest on his laurels, is at it again…

He is working with the Segerstrom Center for the Arts to bring A Concert of Twin Pianos to the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa, California on April 7, 2013. It’s a first of its kind in a concert setting! The concert will feature two of the most prominent Stride pianists in the world: Louis Mazetier from Paris, France and Jeff Barnhart from Mystic, Connecticut.

Harlem Stride Piano, or “stride” originated in Harlem during World War I, fathered by James P. Johnson, and developed with fellow “ticklers” Willie “The Lion” Smith, Luckey Roberts, and Fats Waller. Derived from ragtime, it arose due to economics as many clubs couldn’t afford full bands so employed solo pianists who had to play above the crowd. There are only 15 to 20 pianists in the world today who can “stride” like they did. It is a rare treat that the Segerstrom Center will be featuring two of today’s finest.

If you live in Orange County, I hope you’ll plan to attend and make this the beginning of your family’s exploration into “classic jazz.”

Good news dandelion moms!  If you are local you can enter to win Two complimentary tickets to “A Concert of Twin Pianos” featuring world renown stride pianists Louis Mazetier from Paris, France and Jeff Barnhart from Mystic, Connecticut on Sunday, April 7, 2013 at 2:00 PM. The concert will take place in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tickets will be left under winner’s name in will call. 

Louis Armstrong Photo courtesy of Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/54040806@N08/5497991466/sizes/z/in/photostream/

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