Page 20 - August 2016 Life In Naples Magazine

for the
love
of jazz
by Claudia Polzin

OConsultant to Nonprofits ff-Season – August, September and Saturday – Bay House in North Naples.
October – and for some of this time Now that you know where you can find jazz in Naples – how

our main focus is unfortunately about a little Jazz 101. The beginning of the 20th Century saw

consumed with possible hurricanes. But since the beginning of Dixieland music in New Orleans. The Original

there is nothing we can do to control this fact Dixieland Jazz Band recordings in 1917 fostered an awareness of

of life in SW Florida – let’s focus on what we this new style of music. At this time Dixieland referred to the band

can control – finding hidden jazz gems around and not the music. The essential elements were the traditional front

our town. lines of trumpets, trombones, clarinets and ensemble improvisation

By now you probably know about the over a two-beat rhythm.

Summer Jazz on the Lawn at Naples Beach Hotel – an off-season The revival during the 1940’s and 50’s established traditional

tradition – casual, named groups, sunset and lots of friends. The jazz as an enduring part of the American cultural landscape. Jazz

last two concerts of the season are: August 20 featuring Betty Fox standards – Basin Street Blues and When the Saints Go Marchin’ In

and September 24 featuring Late Night Brass. Fox has an extensive are known to non-jazz fans as well as traditional jazz enthusiasts

background in gospel and a lifelong passion for soul music. In 2015 thanks to the popularity of traditional jazz. The true Dixieland

she was the featured representative of the Suncoast Blues Society. sound is created when one instrument (usually the trumpet) plays

Late Night Brass celebrated their tenth anniversary in 2015; and the melody or a variation of it, and the other instruments improvise

features 10 high-energy brass musicians. Most of the members are around that melody. This is a very different sound than the heavily

music educators, holding advanced degrees in music fields. But the arranged big band sound of the 1930’s or the straight melodies of

organization is most proud of the fact that many of their members bebop in the 1940’s.

served in the US military. They have been the opening act for such As with other styles of music Dixieland has evolved; and while

groups as: Chicago; Earth, Wind & Fire; Huey Lewis and the it is still used and applied to bands playing in a traditional style. But

News; Billy Joel and Elton John. Don’t miss this truly wonderful the Chicago Style is more of a swing-style 4-to-the-bar manner. It

Naples adventure. is also faster paced, resembling the pace of the city. Chicago style

If an indoor experience is more to your liking – you can enjoy bands play a wide variety of tunes including selections from the

Naples Jazz Masters performing every Saturday at the Norris 1930’s Great American Songbook.

Center through September from 1-3 p.m. – the ticket price is a West Coast revival began in the late 1930’s and was a direct

donation of your choosing. But I am sure once you hear the music backlash to the Chicago Style which some considered more “swing”

you will know that you want to support this wonderful group. On than jazz; and West Coast returned to the 2-to-the-bar rhythmic

October 30 this group will return to Cambier Park in the bandshell style. The third style is Dutch ‘Old-style jazz’. This style brought

at 2 p.m. saxophones, sousaphones and a section of marching percussion

Some places you might not think of for jazz – two Sunday brunch usually including a washboard.

and jazz options: The Wine Loft in Mercato and M Waterfront So enjoy jazz all around town and start your own personal study

Grille in Venetian Village. Evening jazz every Wednesday through of jazz – finding ways to enjoy the early months of Fall – find jazz.

20 Life in Naples | August • September • October 2016