West Texas Jazz Party Celebrates Fiftieth Anniversary in High Style

WTJP president Margaret Gillham, music director Johnny Varro and the dedicated members of the West Texas Jazz Society pulled out all the stops in observing the 50th anniversary of their mid-May jazz party in Odessa. From all reports, it was an absolute GEM! One of the most memorable moments was the return to action of Bucky Pizzarelli, back on the bandstand after suffering a mild stroke. “Bucky’s Back!" tee-shirts were a hot seller, recognizing the beloved guitarist who first performed for the Texans in 1968. Son Martin backed his father on bass and kept a watchful eye on his Dad like a mother hen watching her chicks. The celebration kicked off with a Thursday night dance party led by saxman Houston Person, along with Varro, Joel Forbes and Butch Miles. The Four Freshmen made a special appearance Friday, followed by the usual mix-and-match performances involving the 21 all-star musicians throughout the balance of the weekend. Good humor was never in short supply as Bucky Pizzarelli played a requested solo of Send in the Clown, and son Martin then introduced Ken Peplowski, who appropriately asked Bucky if there was any significance between the song and his being announced to do the next number. 2nd Oldest Jazz Party While Dick Gibson is credited with initiating the jazz party concept in 1963 when he brought a group of musicians he liked and some of his friends together o