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Fresno's Blue Street Jazz Band
celebrated their 25th anniversary last year.
Forest started this band in 1983. They
demonstrated some exuberant, explosive,
delectable Hot Traditional Jazz! They play Trad and Dixieland,
mainly unique arrangements by music educator, Dave, Ruffner, some swing,
Mardi Gras,
West Coast Swing, hymns, some Beatles thrown
in. They don't get to the East Cast very often; we were
really lucky to hear them again.
Dave Ruffner, trombone, Rick Canfield drums, and
Forrest Helmick cornet are all music
educators, and most of the other members
make their living teaching music.
Nasty Nat Ketner is a full time musician in
L.A. Matt Bottel, banjo, and his wife Sherri Colby,
vocals, live in New Orleans.
Young David Hull was on piano.
Jason Jurcak, wrapped in sousaphone, is
Dave Ruffner's step-son. But there was
no more good-natured bantering about Dave 'taking
off his belt'. Jason will be leaving
for New Orleans next year. He will be missed.
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Sherri Colby,
the "Siren of the San Joaquin" has been singing with the band
since she was 13 years old. Now a Doctor of Anthropology,
she lives in New Orleans with hubby, Matt Bottel, banjo/Computer Programmer.
She put heart and soul into a Beatles' tune, updating the
words to "We're NOT 64" and harmonizing with Ruffner on
Rose of Washington Square. |
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Young pianist
David Hull packs a lot of power in those diminutive hands, playing
intricate, exhilarating piano. |
| We're sincerely
looking forward to hearing this fantastic West Coast band again next
year!
The 2010 Great CT Jazz Festival
will be July 30 - August 1 at the
Sheraton Four Points Hotel, located at
275 Research Parkway
in Meriden, just a few miles north of Mountain Ridge.
There will be several indoor and outdoor venues.
Full weekend passes are now available;
call 1-800-468-3836 (1-800-Hot Event) to get yours now!
To Sponsor a band next year, see
http://greatctjazz.org/Sponsor.html
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| By Marce,
Updated September 15, 2009
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