25th Annual Herb Patnoe Memorial Jazz Festival

(March 7, 2006) - Yes, this concert did take place a few years ago, but I've been meaning to post something on this annual event put on by DeAnza College. The great aspect of this show was/is something that never gets old: Teaching.

There's something terriffic about musicians who move beyond the essential (but limiting) "ME, ME, ME" phase of expression. These people understand the vital importance of providing wisdom, training, and inspiration to the youth.

The Herb Patnoe Memorial Jazz Festival was established shortly after the untimely death of "Doc" Patnoe in 1981. It has since become an annual tribute to the internationally revowned jazz educator and founer of the jazz programs at Foothill and De Anza Colleges. Patnoe produced some of the most outstanding jazz ensembles in the nationa at De Anza College in the 1960s and 70s. Many of his students went on to perform professionally with jazz leaders such as Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson and Woody Herman."

Trumpeter Marvin Stam and Pianist Bill Mays were the two featured teachers in the 25th annual Patnoe Jazz Fest.

Marvin Stamm was a trumpet soloist and a member of the Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Duker Perason and American Jazz orchestras. For 23 yeras a major New York City studio musician, Stamm currently travels much of the year as a Jazz artist in duo with pianist Bill Mays of with his quartet.

Bill Mays begain his recording career as musical director for Sarah Vaughan and went on to work with such legendary performers as Frank Sinatra, Shelly Manne, Art Pepper, Clark Terry and Sonny Stitt, among others. Since moving to New York City in the mid-1980s, Bill has led his own quintets, trios, and duos at Birdland, the Blue Note, Bradley's, the Knickerbocker, the Village Gate, Visiones and many other of the city's noted venues.

Set List:
Berceuse for Mallory, Steve Spiegl
Delta City Blues, Michale Brecker/arr. Dave Eshelman
This Space for Rent, Jeff Bunnell
Kingfish, Bill Holman
Walking Ovation Blues, Alf Clausen
Samba de Oro, Bill Prince
Play Song, Bill Mays
Greetings and Salutations, Thad Jones
Just Kidding, Elaine Elias/arr. Bob Brookmeyer
So What, Miles Davis/arr. John La Barbera
Cherry Juice, Thad Jones
Who's 'at Talking'?, Marvin Stamm/arr. Jack Cortner
Ballad, Jack Cortner
Secret Love, Webster & Fain/ arr. Jack Cortner
A Tribute to Art Fern, Rob McConnell

* I quote liberally from the well-written festival program.