California Dreamin’ at the SDJP

What a fun weekend celebrating the 38th anniversary of the iconic San Diego Jazz Party where 19 artists descend on the Hilton Del Mar to make lots of wonderful music!

Friday, February 20th, began with the selected music students fromMission Bay High School breaking off into a half dozen areas/rooms to learn from the masters specific to their chosen instrument: Guitar, Bass, Drums, Piano, Reeds, Trumpet etc. Morgan Fator, Music Program Assistant directed the busload of students to the correct areas and we were able to attend three of these masterclasses in brief.

Jason Fabus (whose name should be spelled “Fabu-lou-s”!) led his group with an alto sax and demonstrated turning flats into sharps and then how to “approach” a chord, playing one half-step higher or lower than the target chord. This technique is used to lead into a goal or target note to “spice up” chord progressions or melodic lines, while adding tone playing locally or globally. Phrasing is very important and he encouraged the students to “own” a particular instrument. Although Jason plays other reed instruments, he is the alto sax. I thoroughly enjoyed his clarinet playing too. He went through the bebop major scale and suggested listening to sax greats: Charlie Parker, Paul Desmond, Benny Carter or Dick Oatts.

Jason Wanner had each of his students give a demonstration on the piano so he could determine their current levels of musicianship. With a classical background, he emphasized the influence of both ragtime and stride playing in the traditional jazz genre. Bass, harmony and rhythm are brought out in the left hand while the right hand encourages the melody. Playing solo is the best way to determine if a particular piece can be in one’s repertoire from Debussy’s Clair de Lune to Joplin’s Maple Leaf Rag!

Danny Coots discussed anatomy and the length of one’s fingers in an “economy of movement” and how one’s size can generate more force on the multiple elements of a drum set. With brushes, sticks, and rods interacting with the drums (bass, snare, tom-tom) and cymbals (hi-hat, ride, crash) the physicality of the musician plays an important role. He also encouraged them to listen to the best—Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, and Baby Dodds along with more contemporary drummers.

After the students left it was almost time for the Meet & Greet in the Jazz Party Reception Area where all the musicians display their talents in short sets.

Live jazz isn’t just music, it’s a once only conversation between artists; the solo you hear will never be played the same way again—as Board President Russell King emphasized in a letter to the attendees. This is exactly what is so exciting and so much fun about live improvisational music!

With the very recent passing of extraordinary reedman Ken Peplowski, veteran Dan Block filled in with short notice and managed to follow in Ken’s footsteps with the various bands. The first short set had Dan lead with Duke Heitger (tp), John Allred (tb), Jason Wanner (p), Richard Simon (bs) and Danny Coots (dr). “Getting the Party Started” was the theme and they certainly did! Josh Collazo (dr), Jon-Erik Kellso (tp), Jason Fabus (cl/alto), Dan Barrett (tb), Rossano Sportiello (p) and Sam Rocha (bs) had the second set and elevated the mood of the welcoming crowd. With Chuck Redd (vibes) up next, he led Harry Allen (tenor), Vinny Raniolo (gtr), Peter Washingtoh (bs) and Danny Coots (dr) to a delightful finish.

Now it was time for a dinner break and an evening of Jazz from the ’20s and ’30s. A Great Gatsby theme had a few of the other Board Members in period-style attire so aptly dressed Secretary Debbie Morrison was definitely in style! Vice President Sandi Joyce, Volunteer Coordinator Jennifer Reid and Treasurer Don Fall with member Janet Fall are the ones that hold this Party together!

“Gettin’ Hot at the Hilton” had Jon-Erik Kellso (tp) with Dan Block (sx) Dan Barrett (tb), Jason Wanner (p), Peter Washington (bs) and Josh Collazo (dr). Peter has a unique fingering technique on the upright bass. The forefinger on his right hand covers the middle finger when he does a solo because it gives him more force. When accompanying another musician, he places his middle finger over the forefinger creating a softer sound.

“Southern Style” had Duke Heitger (tp) selecting some classic New Orleans tunes with John Allred (tb), Jason Fabus (reeds), Rossano Sportiello (p), Vinny Raniolo (gtr), Sam Rocha (bs) and Danny Coots (dr).

“Bossa & the Blues” showcased Chuck Redd (vibes) with Dan Block (reeds), Jason Wanner (p), Richard Simon (bs) and Josh Collazo (dr).

As the single vocalist Dawn Lambeth entertained the crowd with Jon-Erik Kellso (tp), Dan Barrett (tb), Jason Fabus (reeds), Rossano Sportiello (p), Peter Washington (bs) and Danny Coots (dr), Dawn presented some original renditions of classic standards.

“Broadway is My Beat” had Rossano and Harry Allen (tenor) in some lovely duets while Tin Pan Alley Cats brought Duke Heitger (tp), John Allred (tb), Jason Fabus (reeds), Jason Wanner (p), Vinny Raniolo (gtr), Sam Rocha (bs) and Danny Coots (dr) to the end of the first evening.

Musical Director and Arranger Dan Barrett does an excellent job of giving all of the musicians a chance to lead a group and he works to see that everyone has somewhat equal time on stage. A daunting task especially since only one or two songs were ever repeated throughout the weekend!

The next day starts early with a nice full buffet and lots of coffee! The “Wake-up Call” set got everyone ready for the hour-long “Stock Market” set—using “stock” sheet music handed to the musicians either a bit prior or at that moment, showcasing their talents on sight-reading. Ten of the weekend’s musicians plus guest artists Bryan Shaw (tp) and Jim Jedeikin (bari) provided a tremendous Big Band take on some terrific Dorsey and Basie and what Dan Barrett referred to as “Cootie De Gras” after trumpeter Cootie Williams.

“Vinny’s Party Cats” featured Vinny Raniolo (gtr) and Peter Washington (bs) with Chuck Redd (dr/vibes) while “Focus on Trad” had Duke, Dan Block (reeds), Dan Barrett (tb), Jason Wanner (p), Sam Rocha (bs) and Josh Collazo (dr) delving deeper into the trad genre. “Swinging with Dawn” paired her with Jon-Erik, Harry, Rossano, Richard, and Danny when The Be-Bop Boys took over. The Saturday Afternoon Blues group had Richard Simon (bs) and the rest of the set with the final afternoon “Coots” all channeling the likes of Bubber Miley. Red Allen’ and the incomparable Duke Ellington.

Ever the professor, Richard Simon spoke of and demonstrated a “contrafact,” which is a musical composition created by placing a new, original melody over the chord progression of a pre-existing song. (Contrafacts are not to be confused with musical quotations, which comprise borrowing rhythms or melodic figures from an existing composition.) All of which explains why you can be listening to one tune and hear a few measures that remind you of another tune and you sit there racking your brain trying to recall what you just heard!

After a dinner break we all reconvened for a Saturday Night Taste of Classic Jazz of the ’40s and ’50s with John Allred (tb) leading the group this time with Dawn Lambeth up next. Chuck Redd (vibes) highlighted his Latin influences with a “Rio to New York” set.

The Jazz Party Legend of the Year award was announced last year and now Jon-Erik Kellso was receiving his much deserved trophy. Jon-Erik gave a short, heart-felt acceptance speech and led the next set with Dan Block (reeds), John Allred (tb), Jason Wanner (p), Josh Collazo (dr) and Richard Simon (bs).

Danny Coots had the honors of leading the last set after a long day and with Duke Heitger (tp), Jason Fabus (reeds), Dan Barrett (tb), Rossano Sportiello (p), Sam Rocha (bs) and Vinny Raniolo (gtr) the band brought the evening to a close with lots of vigor!

Sunday morning came early and vocalist Dawn Lambeth began the sets with her Dawn Patrol followed by a Two Bass Hit with Richard Simon and Peter Washington accompanied by Jason Wanner (p) and Chuck Redd (dr/vibes).

With Rossano leading the next set “Goin’ To Kansas City” (a Tribute to Count Basie & Jay McShann) the audience was certainly being “Basie-fied” and loving it! Dan Barrett suggested we listen to any of the Lester Young/Count Basie 1936-1940 album series, especially the 1939 one, to gain an even deeper appreciation of this iconic duo.

Jason Wanner had a chance to solo during a short lunch break and he is always wonderful to hear—he can probably play a thousand songs without any sheet music and improvise various chords and measures to our delight.

A surprise guest on Sunday took to the stage at the behest of Dan Barrett—Riley Baker, trombonist and son of multi-instrumentalist Clint Baker. Dan has known Riley since he was a toddler and he is certainly following in his father’s footsteps playing bass, tuba and drums in addition to the trombone. I have seen him at other California events and he is extremely proficient at the tender age of 25!

With a trombone-intense next set, Dan Barrett and John Allred outdid each other and set the stage for a lovely duet with Rossano Sportiello (p) and Harry Allen (tenor). Dawn had her second set for the day and the New Nairobi Trio featured Dan Block (reeds), Richard Simon (bs) and Josh Collazo (dr).

All the musicians were called to the stage for The Big Closer and sharing pianos, drums, and basses the group soared to a rousing end of a fabulous weekend.

Up next, the Musicians Dinner gives musicians and their sponsors a chance to mingle, take photos, and share their enthusiasm with each other. It is also when the Jazz Legend of the Year is announced for 2027 and the honors will go to—drum roll please!—drummer Danny Coots! YAY!!

After a lovely dinner with lots of hugs and “looking forward to next year” statements, it was time to convene in the lobby for the evening’s jam session—Trombonist Len Kellogg with the Poudre River Irregulars was in attendance for the weekend and he enjoys playing in the jam sessions at the end of the Party. Past Jazz Party scholarship awardee, Christian Rodriguez (gtr), invited a few music students from San Diego State University to join in and it was a lively and fun session. Chuck Redd rolled the vibes out and a few took turns at both the piano and small drum kit set up. Three of the students were vocalists and the group was more than willing to play the tunes that the students suggested. A tuba and sousaphone were wheeled in and provided a deep rhythm to the existing instruments.

The next morning we were off to Mission Bay High School to witness a performance by the Preservationists who will be on their way to New Orleans on April 9th. In addition to the Board members, the Jazz Party musicians included: Dan Barrett (tb), Danny Coots (dr), Jason Fabus (sax), Duke Heitger (tp), Vinny Raniolo (gtr), Richard Simon (bs) and Jason Wanner (p). The school band played a few standards and some of the Jazz Party musicians were able to offer some words of advice and encouragement.

Richard Simon challenged them to Imitate, Innovate, and Assimilate recommending they listen to albums from the past greats—Clark Terry (who pronounced “Imitation is Assimilation”) Jack Teagarden, Gene Krupa were some mentioned. Danny Coots emphasized timing and texture with rhythms while Jason Fabus stressed the verbal and non-verbal communications on stage. Duke also spoke of listening to original recordings of Louis Armstrong or Bix Beiderbecke and falling in love with the music. Jason Wanner encouraged the musicians on stage to notice each other and their surroundings when playing together, not staring at the floor or their instruments. Dan Barrett coached the three vocalists to listen to recordings of the Boswell Sisters, a New Orleans trio with amazing instinctual three-part harmony abilities.

An album recorded in Chicago—titled 47th & State—was mentioned with some classic performers alluding to the Savoy Ballroom only a few blocks east. Chicago natives Gene Krupa and Dave Tough, George Wettling, The Austin High Gang, Frankie Trumbauer, Jack Teagarden—all “names” to be looked up and listened to while pursuing one’s early jazz education in the styles predominant in New Orleans, Chicago and New York.

The Jazz Party musicians and the Preservationists then performed the Grand Finale and the hundreds of students in the auditorium gave them a standing ovation before returning to their classes. What a wonderful way to start the week!

But it was also a wonderful way to end the Jazz Party weekend. With Don and Janet Fall graciously supplying a ride to the airport, we bid a final farewell to them and a “see you next year” hug before boarding our flight back to Tucson.