DJO at DAI

As newly renewed members of the Dayton Art Institute (DAI) my wife, Jane, and I performed our first official activity by attending the Just Jazz series on 6-3-10. Host, Clay Collins, morning DJ on Dayton Public Schools Radio, WDPS FM, 89.5 [Your home for Jazz] was in usual form. Jazz Advocate master mind, Ron Gable, was close by as well. Attendees heard from Sponsor Ed Winsap, owner of Price Brothers downtown - a business proud to be downtown. Not sure how well this comment fits into a Jazz blog but seeing Ed was a pleasant surprise to my wife as they were classmates in high school. Ed's lovely wife Nancy, also a classmate, was there too. Attendees also heard from WDPS Station Manager Ken Kreitzer who touted the new Big Band radio show with Host, Conrad Jessee, that is streamed over the internet at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday nights. You can listen by going to http://www.wdpsfm.com.

We had the pleasure of hearing the Dayton Jazz Orchestra (DJO) which is always a treat. The DJO spokesperson was former Stan Kenton band member and trumpet player extraordinaire John Harner. He played some notes in the upper register that only dogs could hear to kick off the evening. Wow! The trumpet line further consisted of Reg Richwine, Al Parr, Brian West and Dick Fox. An all star lineup for sure. The rhythm section was Jeff Black on piano, Jim Leslie on drums and Chris Brown on bass. Jim Leslie's work as band leader with the UD Jazz Ensemble is noteworthy as well. The trombone section was Tom Billing, Todd Couch, Denny Seifried, and Columbus big band leader Vaughn Weister. The sax section consisted of Josh Adkins, Dan Nicora, Rick Johnson, Jeff Spurlock & Bill Burns. Rick Evans again provided some vocals. At times you would swear that you were listening to Joe Williams of the Basey Band himself. Rick can really belt out a tune. All of these guys do lots of other things musically but I would at least mention that Jeff Spurlock & Bill Burns are also part of a quartet known as The Gem City Saxophone Quartet. Rick Johnson has also played with the Quartet as does Tim Spence (who was absent from the DJO performance at the DAI). I have heard them live one time and know they recently performed at The Blue Wisp in Cincinnati. They are worth the trip. But back to the DJO. I was only able to catch two sets of the performance but the band was in rare form (I have it from good sources that the last set was at least as good as the first two). Usually I provide a list of songs performed and names of band members that solo but this time I just sat back and enjoyed. It is uplifting to hear the DJO and they did not disappoint.

You can learn more about the DJO by visiting their website which can be found at http://www.daytonjazzorchestra.com - DJO will also be involved in hosting a Jazz Camp the week of June 14th with at least one performance at Stubbs Park in Centerville on June 16th, Wednesday at 7:30 PM - did I mention that it is free to the public? Attendance is highly recommended. Hope to be seeing you around at live Jazz venues throughout the Summer.