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The
Professors
jazz band
was
named by Ken and Flossie Coulter of the
Mammoth Lakes Jazz Jubilee, and consists
of the faculty of the Mammoth Lakes Jazz
Camp, who also teach at the Sacramento
Traditional Jazz Society Jazz Camps (Youth
and Adult). The group was assembled by
Camp Director Bill Dendle, and all were
chosen not only because of their
capabilities as performers, but also for
their ability to teach effectively, and to
entertain. The result is a wonderfully
inventive, creative, and extemporaneous
jazz band that is totally unpredictable,
funny, amazing and thoroughly musical.
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The
band has never held a
rehearsal,
nor does it need to. What you will hear on
this recording is part of the final
concert of the STJS Adult Trad Jazz Camp
at Sly Park on the night of August 7,
2004. All arranging of the music is done
"on the fly," with Rusty Stiers leading
the way on trumpet, and the rest listening
for his cues. But it's not only Rusty who
shapes the performances; all of the
Professors suggest, lead, and listen
simultaneously, and the resulting
performance is truly
jazz.
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THE
PROFESSORS AT CAMP
L-R
Back row:
Ed
Metz, Jr. Drums; Eddie Erickson,
Banjo;
Lee
Westenhofer, Sousaphone; Bill
Dendle, Trombone
L-R
Front
row:
Anita Thomas, Clarinet; Jason
Wanner, Piano; Shelley Burns,
Vocals; Rusty Stiers, Trumpet
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At
the camps, we emphasize
improvisation,
both group and solo, and the Professors
provide the best example of how a band can
literally improvise an entire performance
with no discussions, no arrangements, no
charts, no prior planning - we just listen
to each other and respond. The fact is
that all the players have years of
experience with the music, and instantly
understand what is appropriate. There is
complete mutual respect and admiration,
and we love to play
together.
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