Tuesday, August 6, 2013

The Unique History Of The North Carolina Jazz Festival

By Cathy Mercer


Doctor Harry VanVelsor founded the North Carolina Jazz Festival because he loved the music so much. At first he wanted to use it as a showcase for big band music and for Dixieland, as these were the types of music he liked. The whole thing has helped put the city of Wilmington squarely on the map.

As it's been going for more than three decades, it's fairly clear that there is a demand for it. Over the years the popularity has increased to such an extent that Bucky Pizzarelli and Ed Polcer have been booked to perform there. In the past, esteemed musicians like Bobby Rosengarden have played there. Most notably, the festival will use talent no matter how young. When he was eleven, Jonathan Russell played with Bucky Pizzarelli. He also came back to the to play when he was 12,13 and 14.

The Hilton Wilmington in downtown Wilmington is usually where the show takes place. Lately, it's tried to branch out a little from its Dixieland roots. Lately they've moved into doing a little be-hop but they probably won't stray far from their Dixieland roots. However, in for such events to expand, they do need to appeal to a broader range of tastes. The idea is to let people know that are more than one or two types of jazz out there.

The list of foreign musicians that have attended is extensive. It's seen as a privilege to play at such an event, and so it's not surprise that people like Jim Galloway from Canada and Anat Cohen from Israel have performed there.

When Doctor Harry VanVelsor choose to end his participation in the event in 2006 it was already a big deal on the Wilmington calender. He was replaced by Sandy Evans, the former president of the Cape Fear Jazz Society. Evans has insured that the event continues to attract not only some great artists, but also bigger crowds.

The festival has really put the city of Wilmington on the map. Wilmington is situated along the banks of the Cape Fear River, and aside from the festival there are several other attractions such as restaurants and museums. It even has a movie studio and beaches, as well as historic Civil War sites, so it's ideal for tourists that like a bit of culture to go with their music.

The festival has a format that means you'll be able to come along and take in the music at almost any time. The morning/afternoon slot is great for those who like to get up early, have a late breakfast or early lunch and take in some music. The afternoon/evening set is perfect for those how prefer to spend their nights by the beach or in a restaurant. And the night slot rounds off an evening about as well as could be expected.

You may not have heard of Wilmington, but you if you go to the North Carolina Jazz Festival you probably won't forget it. You'll have the chance to take in the culture of an idyllic city and listen to some of the best musicians in the USA and around the world.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment