January Newsletter

Happy New Year! Benny Goodman vs. Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington vs. Count Basie, Fletcher Henderson vs. Chick Webb. The battle of the bands has been a time-honored tradition in jazz culture since the 1920s. Imagine the Savoy Ballroom, with capacity for 4000 dancers and a big band on either side, each vying to capture the attention of the crowd with their force of swing and imagination of their soloists. We will recreate some of that excitement on February 9th as we host our own "Battle of the Loudoun Big Bands" at Old Ox Brewery. Swing Shift, Loudoun Jazz Ensemble, and Franklin Park Big Band will all bring their best tunes to show how vibrant this great American big band tradition remains in Loudoun County today.

As I head down to New Orleans for the 2024 Jazz Education Network conference this weekend, I remember that our jazz society is part of something much bigger. The conference brings together thousands of people from around the world who share our mission for "advancing education, promoting performance and developing new audiences" (JEN mission). Lastly, don't forget to scroll down to the bottom of the newsletter for a special message from our Vice-President, Rob Maletick.

John Kocur
President, Loudoun Jazz Society

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January is a new beginning for everyone. A time when most of us are thinking about what the entire year ahead will hold for our careers, lives, and for us Jazz heads….what it will hold for our music. There are some notable Jazz greats that got their ultimate beginning in the month of January. Celebrating birthdays this month are;

Chris Potter- one of my absolute favorite saxophonists on the scene today!!!
Vocalist Etta James
Saxophonist James Carter
Drummer Dave Weckl
Guitarist Lee Ritenour (I’ll be recording and releasing one of his songs this year) 
Trumpet and Flugelhorn master Kenny Wheeler
Drum set legend Gene Krupa

This list is not meant to include all…I am sure I’ve missed someone notable. But maybe this will be a good way to stretch out and check out the music of each of the above unnamed artists that have contributed so much to the genre we love. These Jazz greats give us so much through their music. So enjoy a new artist, keep your head up and let me know who you are listening to at the beginning of this new year. 

See you soon, but not soon enough. 
All my very best to you,

Rob Maletick
Vice President, Loudoun Jazz Society
Voting Member, The Recording Academy