Old Times, Good Times

All Together Now. The good news about the 12th Annual West Coast Jazz Party is that it lives up to advance billing. As promised, it’s a unique atmosphere in which to relax and enjoy middle-ground, straight-ahead jazz. Organizers, musicians, and audience mingle like lodge members, clearly veterans of many previous events – either here at the Irvine Marriott over Labor Day Weekend or at the Newport Marriott over Presidents Weekend. Interviews with drummer Jeff Hamilton and trumpeter/conductor Bobby Shew for a story in The Orange County Register drew high praise for the 'Party's' special way of allowing musicians to see friends they haven’t seen in a while and play with people they’ve only heard. The way the players are mixed together by co-Founders John McClure and Joe Rothman – the latter a born emcee – keeps the energy and imagination keen. Among the highlights was trumpeter/vocalist Byron Stripling, graciously leading a Louis Armstrong tribute, but keeping his own style evident. He has the timbre and easy accuracy of Nat Cole, with a dash of vocal unpredictability reminiscent of Diz. Bill Mays provided another indelible when he offered up Jimmy Rowles’ ‘Peacocks,’ a colorful rumination for solo piano in honor of his late friend. Pianist/singer Dena DeRose displayed great feeling in her sets, providing plenty of jazz and soul without resorting to scat. She was ably backed by bassist Christoph Luty and Hamilton. Hamilton was an omnipresent utility player. He had said he was most looking forward to introducing Hammond B3 player Atsuko Hashimoto to America through the Party. In the first of two sets together, they teamed with tenor saxophonist Houston Person – another musician who seemed to be everywhere – on Friday night. While some musicians in the audience were cool to the keyboardist, I was generally impressed, primarily for what a surprisingly soulful streak that occasionally made its way into tunes, especially her big showcase, 'That's All.' Hamilton, Person and she will record and appear elsewhere in the next week or so, and I’ll be anxious to hear more. Bassist Chuck Berghorfer, who also played with just about everybody, said from the stage last night, during a two-man set with Person, “Looking out at this audience brings tears to my eyes. It’s the only place we can play where people aren’t talking during the set. The only thing missing are the 20 year olds!” It was and wasn’t what the crowd wanted to hear. But, it leads us to the bad news: the average audience member was in his or her 60s, quite possibly high 60s. Maybe it’s not fair to judge jazz’s audience by a group who – although pound for pound are among the most educated and supportive – look like extras from a ‘This is Florida Retirement’ infomercial. Perhaps a three-day-four-night event in a classy hotel has a prohibitive tab for youthful, casual fans. Then again, there aren’t many young adults who love jazz so much they’d spend the weekend with clones of the their grandparents. No matter how hip they are. Fortunately, in the months ahead, we’ll be reporting on some teenage jazz players and their fans. All of which should make folks breath a sigh of relief.
Photo: Berghofer, Wycliffe Gordon, Hamilton, Stripling, Person, DeRose, Hashimoto.