Jazz
Jamboree
kicks off today
By ADAM
TANOUS
Express Arts Editor
It’s
October again. The Valley is in its prime with the leaves ablaze and
skies bright blue. What more could we ask for?
Some
might say a little jazz in the air would be nice. Or a lot, for that
matter. And it just so happens that the organizers of the 13th
Annual Swing ‘n’ Dixie Jazz Jamboree are obliging. The ever-growing
celebration of jazz roars into the valley this week for five days of
live music in and around Sun Valley. The first note will be played at 11
a.m. today in the Sun Valley Indoor Ice Arena as Sun Valley Jazz kicks
off the festivities. All day and evening through Sunday, some 250
musicians will entertain the expected 7,000 jazz fans.
Bill
Allred’s Classic Jazz Band. Courtesy photo
Jamboree
director Tom Hazzard has recruited four new bands to add to the 21
others returning to the Wood River Valley event. These new arrivals
comprise the Bob Crosby Bob Cats, Cornet Chop Suey, The Professors and
the Crazy Rhythm Hot Society Jazz Orchestra.
Special
events this year include the Pianorama hosted by Sun Valley favorite Joe
Fos, a "Bix" movie, the Marching Band Salute, Big Band Bash,
Jazz Worship Services and the Afterglow Jazz Suppers. Also new to the
Jamboree will be two venues: the River Run Lodge and the Sun Valley
Lodge Terrace.
As
impressive as what’s new to the festival is what isn’t. Six bands
here this year have participated in every Jamboree since its inception.
That fact alone is testament to the success of the jazz festival. Over
the years the Jamboree has developed a reputation not only for providing
excellent music, but for being, above all else, a good time. And that
may be what’s ultimately at the center of jazz—fun.