They're all talkin' jazz in Cherokee today
By Tim Gallagher Journal staff writer | Posted: Saturday, January 05, 2008
CHEROKEE, Iowa -- Rookie instructor Ryan Rager of South O'Brien High School looked over his students Friday and noticed a few talking to one another.
Did he hush them up? Not a chance.
"The kids are talking about the songs," said Rager, who has resurrected a once-successful jazz band program at the school based in Paullina. "If they're talking about music, that's what we want."
There was plenty of talk Friday at Cherokee Middle School, opening venue for the eighth annual Cherokee Jazz & Blues Festival. It's where six professional musicians from the Des Moines-based Jim Oatts Sextet spent the school day working a jazz clinic with students from four area schools.
"It was a blast," Aurelia High School alto sax player Audrey Winterhof said as she wrapped up a solid 60-minute session next to pro Dave Camwell, assistant professor of music at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. "I learned a lot about blowing harder because I need to be heard."
Same goes for drummer Austin Thevenin, an Aurelia senior who was put through an intense workout under the watchful eyes -- and very active hands -- of pro drummer Jim Eklof.
Eklof took Thevenin's place at the drums and made his way through one of the band's selections.
"Take some chances," Eklof commanded over the music. "If it falls apart, who cares? This is practice."
"You guys gotta be more energetic than that!" Oatts said to his trumpet section. "I'm hearing you guys slow it down."
Oatts and Eklof in particular had a smile, some wit and lots of positive body language to accompany each directive. The students ate it up, even those waiting in the wings.
Eighth-grade alto saxophonist Gabe Conley of Cherokee Middle School looked at Camwell and boasted, "I'm gonna outplay that guy!" In an hour he'd get his shot.
Conley has three years of sax experience. Camwell, who has 18 years of experience, including several years of playing professionally to his credit, looked at Conley and smiled.
"Bring it on," he said.
All the while, Eklof worked with Thevenin, asking him to vary his tempo and energy in an effort to tame or boost his band. Aurelia's musicians will need that kind of percussion expertise if they hope to repeat as Class 1A Iowa Jazz Band champions this spring.
"There are times when you want to be superbusy and times you want to be simplistic," said Eklof, talking with his hands. "The trick is knowing which and when."
"I like how he gives me a lot of ideas," said Thevenin. "I don't need to be busy all the time."
Full plate in Cherokee
Busy all the time describes Cherokee this weekend as hundreds converge to hear professionals from around the United States play jazz. A noon jam session today at The Gathering Place hosted by The Hatchlings, a Kansas City blues trio, gives way to the Grand Concert at 6:30 this evening at Western Iowa Tech Community College.
Something Underground, showcasing brothers Seth and Josh Larson, opens for the Paul Tillotson Love Trio. That trio features bass player Mike Merritt, a full-timer on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and drummer James Wormworth, a barefoot drummer who subs for Max Weinberg on O'Brien's show, seen nightly on NBC.
Tickets are $15 and will be available at the door.
Four jazz groups will play from 9 p.m. to midnight today at four locations in town: the Brightside Lounge, Cherokee Bowl, The Other Place and The Gathering Place.
The eighth annual event concludes Sunday with a jazz brunch buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Gathering Place.
The activity will keep folks around Cherokee and Northwest Iowa talking about the music. Said Rager, "That's what we want."
For information
See www.cherokeejazzbluesfestival.com for more information on the 2008 Cherokee Jazz & Blues Festival today. A free shuttle service will be provided among venues this evening.
Did he hush them up? Not a chance.
"The kids are talking about the songs," said Rager, who has resurrected a once-successful jazz band program at the school based in Paullina. "If they're talking about music, that's what we want."
There was plenty of talk Friday at Cherokee Middle School, opening venue for the eighth annual Cherokee Jazz & Blues Festival. It's where six professional musicians from the Des Moines-based Jim Oatts Sextet spent the school day working a jazz clinic with students from four area schools.
"It was a blast," Aurelia High School alto sax player Audrey Winterhof said as she wrapped up a solid 60-minute session next to pro Dave Camwell, assistant professor of music at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. "I learned a lot about blowing harder because I need to be heard."
Same goes for drummer Austin Thevenin, an Aurelia senior who was put through an intense workout under the watchful eyes -- and very active hands -- of pro drummer Jim Eklof.
Eklof took Thevenin's place at the drums and made his way through one of the band's selections.
"Take some chances," Eklof commanded over the music. "If it falls apart, who cares? This is practice."
"You guys gotta be more energetic than that!" Oatts said to his trumpet section. "I'm hearing you guys slow it down."
Oatts and Eklof in particular had a smile, some wit and lots of positive body language to accompany each directive. The students ate it up, even those waiting in the wings.
Eighth-grade alto saxophonist Gabe Conley of Cherokee Middle School looked at Camwell and boasted, "I'm gonna outplay that guy!" In an hour he'd get his shot.
Conley has three years of sax experience. Camwell, who has 18 years of experience, including several years of playing professionally to his credit, looked at Conley and smiled.
"Bring it on," he said.
All the while, Eklof worked with Thevenin, asking him to vary his tempo and energy in an effort to tame or boost his band. Aurelia's musicians will need that kind of percussion expertise if they hope to repeat as Class 1A Iowa Jazz Band champions this spring.
"There are times when you want to be superbusy and times you want to be simplistic," said Eklof, talking with his hands. "The trick is knowing which and when."
"I like how he gives me a lot of ideas," said Thevenin. "I don't need to be busy all the time."
Full plate in Cherokee
Busy all the time describes Cherokee this weekend as hundreds converge to hear professionals from around the United States play jazz. A noon jam session today at The Gathering Place hosted by The Hatchlings, a Kansas City blues trio, gives way to the Grand Concert at 6:30 this evening at Western Iowa Tech Community College.
Something Underground, showcasing brothers Seth and Josh Larson, opens for the Paul Tillotson Love Trio. That trio features bass player Mike Merritt, a full-timer on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and drummer James Wormworth, a barefoot drummer who subs for Max Weinberg on O'Brien's show, seen nightly on NBC.
Tickets are $15 and will be available at the door.
Four jazz groups will play from 9 p.m. to midnight today at four locations in town: the Brightside Lounge, Cherokee Bowl, The Other Place and The Gathering Place.
The eighth annual event concludes Sunday with a jazz brunch buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Gathering Place.
The activity will keep folks around Cherokee and Northwest Iowa talking about the music. Said Rager, "That's what we want."
For information
See www.cherokeejazzbluesfestival.com for more information on the 2008 Cherokee Jazz & Blues Festival today. A free shuttle service will be provided among venues this evening.
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