I’ve spent the last few days grieving for Duncan P. Schiedt. And my mourning and appreciation is not something I can put away neatly in the closet of emotions and say, “Oh, well, we must move on.” But I wondered if there was a way I could honor Duncan with some joy leavened into the loss . . . and I present my own version of the eternal flame of hot jazz.
What follows is not “just another set of videos I took.”
“Nay nay,” to quote the Master.
Aside from the mail — and then email and telephone — the only place I ever encountered Duncan in person was at Jazz at Chautauqua, nine years in a row (2004-2013). And I saw him at an adjacent table (with Liz) having a fine time enjoying the music. I know that Duncan was in the room while this set was being created, and it doesn’t take much imagination to add his smiling countenance to the mostly-unseen audience. I don’t think the musicians will mind.
Incidentally, “Jazz at Chautauqua” has now been reborn as the Allegheny Jazz Party — I’m making plans for my maiden voyage to Cleveland in mid-September.
But back to September 21, 2013.
Those musicians! Duke Heitger, trumpet; Bob Havens, trombone; Dan Levinson, clarinet; Andy Stein, baritone saxophone; Rossano Sportiello, piano; Jon Burr, string bass; Ricky Malichi, drums — in a session of Condonesque good-old-good ones going back to Porter Steele and forward to Frank Loesser, in the best way.
ROYAL GARDEN BLUES:
A SLOW BOAT TO CHINA:
MY GAL SAL:
STARS FELL ON ALABAMA (by Mister H for Mister T):
HIGH SOCIETY (wait for the riotous version of the Alphonse Picou chorus):
Our lives are so finite . . . but what we do in those brief spans is so beautiful.
May your happiness increase!
JAZZ LIVES 