June Newsletter
Wow, what a month! In May, we enjoyed another sold-out show at Old Ox Brewery featuring a few of our favorite jazz singers. Many thanks to Matt Trimboli and Big Night for providing classy accompaniment. We could not have done it without the support of Key Studios or our volunteers Kate, Bob, and Virginia. Old Ox Brewery is celebrating their 10th Anniversary on June 15th. Please support our wonderful partners who do so much to build community.
Congratulations to our 2024 LJS Scholarship winner Eliza Prymack! You can read about Eliza below. Also, Tovala Harrison came through with some great photos for our jam session participants last month. Our annual photo day is part of our educational mission to help musicians in our area develop their audience.
Looking ahead, Alfred Yun will be presenting another great tribute to a jazz master in September at the Franklin Park Arts Center. This time his group will celebrate Chick Corea, and his frequent collaborator vibraphonist Gary Burton. If you saw his previous tributes to Thelonious Monk, you know it will be a memorable night of creative music. Enjoy free admission courtesy of the Musician's Performance Trust Fund and Loudoun Jazz Society.
Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to see a special message from LJS Vice-President Rob Maletick. He will be hosting a special smooth jazz showcase at Old Ox Brewery on September 20th that you won't want to miss.
SAVE THE DATES:
Saturday, 9/01 — Alfred Yun's "Tribute to Chick Corea" at Franklin Park Arts Center
Friday, 9/20 — Rob Maletick's "Smooth Jazz Showcase" at Old Ox Brewery
Regards,
John Kocur
President, Loudoun Jazz Society
Check these photos from our May 24 Vocal Jazz All-Stars event. Photo credit: JP Crumrine.
With the recent passing of saxophonist David Sanborn, I felt I should take a point of personal privilege to talk about the style of smooth jazz that Mr. Sanborn helped to create.
My career in jazz has stretched across a very diverse group of genres, although I have landed in the pop-focused world of smooth jazz. I wanted to write a bit this month on how the smooth jazz musician fits into the community of Jazz.
Smooth jazz musicians play a vital role in the jazz community, contributing their unique sound and style to the genre's rich landscape. While some purists may debate the authenticity of smooth jazz compared to traditional jazz forms, its popularity and influence cannot be denied.
One of the key aspects of smooth jazz is its accessibility. With catchy melodies, laid back rhythms, and polished production, smooth jazz appeals to a wide audience beyond hardcore jazz fans. This accessibility has helped introduce countless listeners to the world of jazz, acting as a gateway to more complex and experimental forms of the genre.
Smooth jazz musicians serve as ambassadors, welcoming newcomers into the jazz community and paving the way for further exploration. While many do not share my opinion on this, I can personally attest to the idea since it was smooth jazz that lead me to check out Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, and Johnny Hodges as a young musician.
Smooth jazz musicians often collaborate with artists from various genres, blurring the boundaries between jazz, pop, R&B, Rock, and even electronic music. These collaborations bring fresh perspectives and innovative sounds to the jazz scene, attracting new audiences and keeping the genre dynamic and relevant in a rapidly evolving musical landscape.
In addition to their role as ambassadors and collaborators, Smooth jazz musicians contribute to the diversity of the jazz community. While traditional jazz may prioritize improvisation and virtuosity, smooth jazz places emphasis on melody, groove, and mood. This diversity of approaches reflects the ever-expanding nature of jazz, accommodating a wide range of tastes and preferences.
In conclusion, smooth jazz musicians play a multifaceted and invaluable role in the jazz community. From introducing new listeners to the genre to collaborating across musical boundaries, they contribute to its accessibility, diversity, and ongoing evolution. While their contributions may sometimes be overlooked or underestimated, their importance cannot be overstated in shaping the present and future of jazz.
Please come out to the concert I’ll be hosting on September 20th at Old Ox Brewery to hear more.
All my best to you,
Rob Maletick
Vice-President, Loudoun Jazz Society
LJS SCHOLARSHIP 2024
We proud to announce that our 2024 LJS Scholarship winner is Eliza Prymack. Some of you may remember Eliza as a regular participant in our monthly jam session. Eliza is currently finishing her senior year at the Arts Boarding School in Interlochen, MI. In her essay, she wrote, "In my original music, my vocals, lyrical choices, and guitar composition, jazz influences have been crucial to my sound. You don’t have to know anything about jazz to feel it and enjoy it."
We wish Eliza great luck as she continues her music studies and furthers her career as a professional musician. You can see what she has been up to on her website:
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the LJS Scholarship Fund this year. You are helping our young adults embark on the bold venture of making a living as an artist.