Once again Houston we have a problem…
A less than sold out show featuring Jazz artists, again I say – “Houston Is Not a Jazz Town”. This past weekend was the cause for the 19th annual Houston International Jazz Festival sponsored by Houston’s Jazz Education Inc. and featuring for the Sunday show headliner Rachelle Ferrell, but more on the show in a second.
For those in the H-Town that aren’t aware - Jazz Education Inc. (JEI) was founded by Jazz artist Bubba Thomas, who saw a need to fill a void where music education and youth were concerned. With a grant from The National Endowment for the Arts, he started an 8-week "Summer Program for Youthful Musicians" at St. James Episcopal Church. Seventy students attended the first FREE session. Since then, JEI has grown from a part-time-one-program project to a daily operation with full and part-time employees. The Jazz Education Inc. organization stays busy sponsoring three main programs The Jazz & Poetry Series, Summer Jazz Workshop, The Houston International Jazz Festival and several special projects. Jazz & Poetry is an educational/enrichment program helping elementary school children develop an early appreciation for music. The Summer Jazz Workshop produces many of America's top young music talents through a combination of master classes, lectures, small and large ensembles, video presentations, and demonstrations. The Houston International Jazz Festival; which features international, national, regional, and local Jazz musicians, enhances Houston's reputation as an arts center and attracts Jazz aficionados worldwide.
Okay now that you got the scoop…here is the poop! I attended the Sunday show and much to my surprise the GODS convened and blessed Houston with unseasonably cool evening with gentle breezes and..get this low humidity (low by the Bayou City standards)! The featured acts did not disappoint. Hiroshima the Asian-American Jazz Fusion group that most thought fell off the map (thanks Black radio) showed they are still full of creative energy and after 30 plus years in the music business not afraid to take creative chances and stretch the audiences ear. They hit their favs of course…”Roomful Of Mirrors” , “Long Walks” and the ever popular “One Wish” from their first Gold album “Another Place” (1985) – but they also showed what they are about today hitting home with a fitting tribute to New Orleans on the funky “Red Beans & Rice”. Overall a great performance by veteran artists.
The crown jewel for the 2-Day event was of course vocalist Rachelle Ferrell. Now if you want to know what divine power is and true vocalization means…don’t look any further. Rachelle is by all standards the ultimate singing machine. Power, range sensitivity, articulation and spirituality let me tell ya - the girl will take you there! After one intense vocal scat run by Rachelle an audience member shouted out “I’m exhausted!”…that is testimony to the type of connection Ms. Ferrell can establish with her audience – she makes the listener exercise their emotions to the point of exhaustion. Yet like all great performers she gives her audience…more. Soloing on the piano or accompanied by her top notch band Rachelle sang it all, “I’m Special”, Til You Come Back To Me”, “Sister”, “Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This” she also broke it down on “My Funny Valentine”, praised the lord and keep the audience as her song says…”So Satisfied” !
So why am I so disappointed…only that Houston did not “turn out”. In a city of over 2 million, the fourth largest city in America, which also boasts the largest Asian population in the State of Texas (Hiroshima fans anyone?)…where was y’all at? A beautiful moonlight night…Ticket cost of $20…hosted in the city’s newly developed “green space” – Discovery Green and the lawn was only half full. I have said it before - “Houston Is Not A Jazz Town”…but if I have anything to do with it I’m gonna help Houston make that change. I encourage all “Young Jazz Lovers” to check out Jazz Education, Inc. volunteer your time and energy and support Jazz events when and where they occur…this Jazz stuff is too good to lose, so choose. More info about Jazz Education, Inc. can be found at their website www.jazzeducation.org and as always…”Keep Jazz In Your Life, Not Strife And Everything Will Be All Right”™
Brian Phoenix is the Host & Producer of “Jazzism (a katzpheno mix)” a weekly Jazz music podcast log onto www.hardjazz.podomatic.com to listen.
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