DownBeat August 1990 [antikvár]

MgWiy jgjmtff-fiJt.'tffj a-i -v. - news RMADBR'S DIGEST TO AID JAZZ SAN FRANCISCO-Who says Header's Digest is square? Certainly no one who attended the V^fest Coast regional meeting of the Lila WaWace/Reader's Digest Fund National Jazz Planning Study held here recently In what may turn out to be the largest philanthropic program ever developed for jazz, the much-maligned middlebrow mag has combined forces with one of the heaviest-hitting trusts in the counlry in a $55,000 study to find out what jazz music needs most- Money, of course. But where? How? And lo whom? Thafs what 21 musicians, critics, presenters, educators, and radio programmers across the country have been discussing at three national meetings and six regional ones. Organized by the National Jazz Service Organization (NJSO) and the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), the meetings will result in the development of program models for subsidizing jazz, which the Wallace Fund will then implement. The Fund will also serve as a resource for other foundations or corporations who want to support jazz. The all-day San Francisco meet was hosted by Ann Dyer and Chuck La Paglia of Kimball's night club and chaired by Willard Jenkins. executive director of NJSO. The mood of cooperation and con-gruity was heartening, as the group discussed improving conditions (or local musicians, educating general-interest presenters about jazz, increasing management skills among jazz professionals, creating national and regional jazz booking conferences, commissioning of new jazz compositions, and securing national media attention. But the hottest topic here, and the one gaining momentum at the national meetings, is the formation of a national presenter network that would subsidize jazz performance and tours. Inspired by the very successful, five-year-old National Performance Network, which gives a boost to dance companies and performance artists, the jazz network under discussion would enable regional artists to tour out of their locale and permit nationally-known artists to make more stops on tour. Workshops and residencies may also be a component of the program. The final shape of the programs won't be determined until after the last meeting of the Planning Study which takes place in Chicago, during the Chicago Jazz Festival in August. "This is an unprecedented national planning effort for jazz," says Holly Sidford, Executive Director of NEFA. "and promises to substantially increase awareness of and support for jazz in this country" —Paul de Barros COLLEGE OF MUSI fMEi^M ^ i) » f DPCTORSt Grammy-winning George Benson and Oscar-winning composer Jerry Goldsmith received Honorary Doctorales of Music from Berklee College Pres. Lee Berk (middle) af the school's recent commencemeni ceremonies. In his acceptonce speech, Benson worned the largest graduating doss in Berklee history against believing "lhal we must foil into one category for oil time," ond challenged them lo "create new calegories." PROFESSOR POPt Iggy Pop, the Delroit-born godfather of punk, turned professor for a lecture at Rock Valley College, Rockford, III. Pop alternated performing and speaking about blues and bebop, being ripped off by his managers, and drug obuse for two hours before a class of 100. Playing the music of John Coltrane and his group The Stooges, Pop said, "Con't you hear the Coltrane in that?" ^(Hoi 'fía* Walter Davis, Jr bop pianist and composer, died June 2 of complications from liver and kidney disease in New York City He was 57. Growing up in New York City at the height of the bop era. he played wilh Chadie Parker and in Max Roach's first band. In the late '50s. he worked wilh Donald Byrd, toured overseas with Dizzy Gillespie's big band, and was a Jazz Messenger as well as leading sessions for Blue Note. After a brief retirement from music in the 'GOs, Davis worked with Sonny Rollins, Archie Shepp, and Art Blakey He toured regularly in Europe, could often be heard in N YC. clubs, and contributed to 1988's Bird movie soundtrack Sammy Davis, Jr., song & dance man. died May 16 of throat cancer at his home in Los Angeles The 64-year-old entertainer was born in Harlem and educated in vaudeville, beginning his career at age three in his father's act. After serving in World War II, he rejoined the family act, the Will Maslin Trio, which became a showcase for his talents. The group played the top variety houses, broke box-office records, and made Davis a star Bul wilh the success came both public controversy and private problems—over his marhage to the actress May Brill, his conversion to Judaism, the loss of an eye in a near-fatal car crash, his embrace of Richard Nixon at the 1972 Republican National Convention as well as gambling, drinking, and cocaine abuse. While Davis' triumphs as an entertainer spanned Broadway {Mr. Wondertul and Golden Boy), hit recordings (including "The Candy Man." "What Kind Of Fool Am I?." and "Mr Bojangles"), and movies (as Sporiin' Life in Porgy And Bess and numerous "Rat Pack" pictures). his lasting legacy is not as a variety artist but his role in integrating blacks into the mainstream of the entertainment industry. Morris L«vy died of liver cancer May 21 at his home in Ghenl. N.Y, at age 62 The owner of Birdland in the 1940s and '50s. president of Roulette Records, founder of a chain of record stores. Levy had been convicted of conspiring to extort money from a record distributor and was waiting to begin serving his sentence when he died Dav* D«xf*r. author and record executive, died in his sleep April CONTINUED ON PAGE 59 AUGUST 1990 DOWN BEAT 11