The sounds of New Orleans were very much in evidence at the 28th annual Arizona Classic Jazz Festival held Nov. 2-5 at the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort in Chandler. Appearing for the first time in the ACJF line up were the New Orleans Swamp Donkeys Jass Band led by charismatic James Williams, who served up large portions of early jazz with a modern twist., and pianist Kris Tokarski, a relative newcomer to the NOLA jazz fraternity, who recruited veteran drummer Hal Smith and Windy City multi-instrumentalist Andy Schumm to form a swinging trio.
While all the bands and artists demonstrated diversity in their musical offerings, Denver’s Queen City Jazz Band, High Sierra, St. Louis Rivermen, Dan Reed’s Dixieland Hotshots, and the Sun City Stomperz all carried on the tradition of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band on the 100th anniversary of ODJB’S first recording. B.A.D. Rhythm, Cornet Chop Suey, Hot Jazz Pie from Florida, Wildcat Jazz from Tucson, and 52nd Street representing the Swing Era were popular with the dancers. Standout performances by guitarist Howard Alden, clarinetist Dave Bennett, and super-stride pianists Stephanie Trick and husband Paolo Alderighi provided the frosting on the cake for another successful festival.
Trumpeter James Williams, an Arizona native, organized the Swamp Donkeys in 2012 and selected the name, which has some interesting connotations. â
