By Joel Greenblatt

Happy New Year! 2008 promises to be a special and exciting stepping-stone for the Jazz Society. Many new artists, venues and promotions are just over the horizon waiting to entertain us. Brevard County will be alive with the sounds of jazz.

For starters, the Jazz Society will be holding more of its concerts in the luxurious banquet room of the Cocoa Beach Country Club, which features a huge stage and great acoustics.  So far we have scheduled two special events in the banquet room--and more are coming.

     First is our annual benefit concert featuring the very popular Dan McMillion High Octane Band. They will be performing their world-renowned tribute to the late, great Maynard Ferguson. When I first heard them perform, I was blown away by their energy and sound. It was fresh and exciting, just like the original Maynard band. I know it’s going to be a great day for jazz and hope it will raise lots of money for our scholarship fund.

Next is a concert that celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month in April  with a tribute to the Count Basie and Duke Ellington orchestras. It will be performed by the Altamonte Jazz Ensemble featuring vocalist Linda Cole. When I heard them last year in concert with world-famous trombonist Bill Watrous, I knew that one day I would bring them back to Brevard County as a special treat for our members. I loved their luscious sound. They played so beautifully as they navigated their way through the most difficult of musical passages. I’m so looking forward to their upcoming concert.

If ever there was an example of what can be accomplished when people come together, the Space Coast Jazz Society’s celebration of Jack Simpson’s Fortieth Anniversary of Jazz on the Beach is it. On July 14 approximately 450 of us came to the Courtyard by Marriot Hotel in Cocoa Beach to celebrate with Jack and his family.

Marriot supplied us with a beautiful facility and mounds of delicious food. Co-sponsors WFIT and WUCF provided us with invaluable promotional and logistical help. Ira Sullivan led a stellar jazz group supported by local musicians who donated their services. Past and present Jazz Society scholarship winners were also there, showcasing their talent and jamming with the band. VIPs from neighboring jazz societies and other out-of-towners came to honor Jack and enjoy the music. And of course, our own jazz society members came out in droves, welcoming everyone and providing additional equipment, support, and good cheer.

One of my favorite highlights of the day was an impromptu performance by vocalists Linda Cole, Carol Stein, Lori Hafer, Linda Peterson, and Vicky Belmonte. These five jazz divas collectively put on a show that thrilled the crowd, as one by one each stepped into the spotlight and sang a heartfelt song to Jack. After their performances the room was lifted to new heights as these jazz icons joined arms and gave Jack one of the best hugs of his life. It was truly a beautiful moment, immortalized by this photo taken by our own Lou Schwartz.

Jack brought out the best in all of us that day. And if a picture is worth a thousand words, I hope this one will bring back just as many fond memories of how people came together with love in their hearts to make this, as Jack proclaimed, "one of the best days of my life"—and one of the best days ever for jazz in Brevard County.

Have you ever experienced the joy of planting a seed and patiently watching it grow? Each day you nurture it with water, sunlight, and love as it grows into a beautiful, mature flower.

Jazz on the Space Coast reminds me of a wonderful garden with many flowers sprouting up all over—and the Space Coast Jazz Society is responsible for planting and nurturing many of them. Nowhere is this more evident than in the selection of our two newest board members, Randy Bennett and Stephanie Hall. Randy is the owner of "The Groove" radio station and promises to help bridge the gap between contemporary and traditional jazz. Stephanie, also known as Stevie Lee, is an established disc jockey for WFIT radio and hosts the weekly broadcast "Body and Soul," which airs Monday nights at 7. These new board members bring balance, youth, and inclusiveness, making our Board of Directors a diverse, powerful team, nine members strong.

Musicians young and old are planting many seeds around town. Colorful new groups exploring many genres of music are beginning to take form. The Jazz Society will soon be featuring one of them, the "Zach Pack," a group of young musicians who play contemporary Dixieland with an uncharted freshness reminiscent of Louie Armstrong and Winton Marsalis. The group’s leader, Zach Anspach, is setting an example, leaving behind seeds of inspiration and opportunity for other young musicians to follow.

Many restaurants and clubs are blooming, expanding their musical lineups with all styles of jazz throughout the week, including contemporary, avant-garde, smooth, and of course, traditional.

The weekend of July 14 and 15 brings two mega jazz events to Brevard County. Saturday, July 14, is the first annual Space Coast Jazz Festival. This Groove Radio production will feature national contemporary recording artists, as well as favorite local traditional jazz groups. This full-day event will be held in the Wickham Park Amphitheater. There will be all kinds of food and drinks available—it’s a fun-filled day for the whole family.

Sunday, July 15, will be another monumental celebration—the 40-year anniversary of Jack Simpson’s "Jazz on the Beach" radio show. This event, presented by the Space Coast Jazz Society and cosponsored by WFIT and WUCF, will take place at the lovely Courtyard by Marriot Hotel in Cocoa Beach and will feature jazz icon Ira Sullivan. VIPs and musicians from all over the country will be attending this historic event. Free hors d’oeuvres, cake, and coffee will be served, as well.

The Space Coast Jazz Festival is like a young flower blooming with exciting possibilities, while the Jack Simpson’s fortieth anniversary celebration is like a majestic, deep-rooted oak tree in the center our jazz community. Together, these two events promise a weekend of jazz that will be forever remembered.

Great music, inspiration, cooperation, and education are the cornerstones of our mission to spread jazz throughout the county. The seeds of jazz need watering and nurturing to grow strong—so please come out and support all these wonderful venues and events. Watch and enjoy as our wonderful jazz garden blooms!

Every once in a while there is a moment in time that transforms someone’s life. For myself and others, this moment occurred during the weekend of this year’s Cocoa Beach Jazz Festival.

It all started when I picked up Frank Morgan at the Orlando International Airport. A gray-haired man with a slight limp and a giant gentleness appeared from the baggage claim area, carrying a small suitcase and an alto saxophone. He entered my car, and the ride of a lifetime had begun. After some small talk Frank told me that at the age of 7 his father had taken him to see the legendary Charlie Parker play his horn. At the time, Frank was a guitar player. Needless to say, after that concert Frank turned to his father and said, "Dad, I want to play that saxophone."

Well, we all had the honor of hearing Frank play his saxophone at the Cocoa Beach Jazz Festival. He transformed the mood, spirit, and energy of everyone in room. From the very first note we all knew something very special was about to happen. The tinkling sounds of ivory coming from Ron Teixeira’s piano, coupled with the unrelenting pulse provided by Ron Pirtle on bass and Stan Soloko on drums, were in perfect harmony with the soaring sounds that floated out of Frank Morgan’s horn. You could hear a pin drop as the music danced around the room. The audience was mesmerized by the beautiful interplay reminiscent of Miles Davis’s "Kind of Blue."
One young saxophonist in particular was quite impressed. After the performance he approached his newfound idol and shook his hand with awe and respect. Frank responded with words of wisdom: "Young man, it’s not what you play, it’s what you don’t play. You gotta listen—that’s how you hook the audience." Then with a twinkle in their eyes and love in their hearts, the two parted ways. Frank declared to a thrilled audience that he considered them all to be quite a sophisticated and attentive group. He enjoyed his whole experience so much that he teased the crowd by saying he would seriously consider moving to Cocoa Beach one day.

Frank Morgan recognized the beauty of Cocoa Beach that its residents sometimes take for granted. Located in the center of Brevard, and with all its restaurants, clubs and beautiful waterways, it’s sort of a microcosm representing the whole of the county.

That’s why I moved here, and why many others like Frank are moving here by the dozens. So take advantage of our rich culture and participate in all the wonderful upcoming jazz attractions. April is Jazz Appreciation Month and offers Jazz Society members an opportunity to experience new jazz clubs and restaurants while receiving an unprecedented 50% dining discount.

The annual SCJS Benefit Concert, featuring the Bill Allred Classic Jazz Band, helps our scholarship fund and promises to be a most memorable event. WFIT and the Groove radio stations are sponsoring many future live jazz concerts right here in our own backyard. So let’s all take the ride of our lives and enjoy one of America’s best-kept secrets—jazz in Brevard.

Brevard County has always been closely associated with the world-renowned NASA space program. Even our jazz society is appropriately named the Space Coast Jazz Society in its honor. The power and achievement of space exploration is truly spectacular—and the astronauts aren’t the only space travelers in town. Did you know that a musical note creates a vibration that travels infinitely into outer space? Although inaudible to the human ear, sounds made here on earth theoretically are heard and felt throughout the universe. So, in a sense, every time musicians perform, parts of them are traveling to the farthest corners of our galaxy.

Here on Earth, and in particular Brevard County, musical exploration is alive and growing. We are the home of some great jam sessions that offer jazz explorers the opportunity to go where no man has gone before.

First up is Heidi’s Sunday night Jazz Jam in Cocoa Beach. The Ron Teixeira Trio hosts the most popular and longest running jazz session in the county. Local musicians and world travelers make it their business to drop in and enjoy the artsy decor, five-star food, and world-class entertainment at Heidi’s.

Next up is the Galaxy Grill in Indialantic. The name alone says it all. Owners Tom Tomas and Jamie Briggs have launched a thriving jazz scene while supplying their customers with culinary options that are truly out of this world. The very popular Monday Night Jazz Jam is headed by guitarist Billy Van Riper. Billy is truly a musical explorer and attracts all types of innovative musicians, young and old. Anyone who has witnessed the wonderful mix of musicians, street artists, and locals who habitually attend the Jazz Jam know that the Galaxy Grill is one hot place to be.

The newcomer on the block, Café Flamant in Cocoa Village, has jumped into the jazz scene with its own Monday night jam session featuring the Mark Hubrouck Trio. . Great ambience and a delectable menu prepared by chef David Belusko promise to attract jazz fans from all over.

Brevard County is the home of many other jam sessions. Radio station WFIT sponsors numerous events offering jazz musicians a chance to join the band and explore new sounds. Friday afternoons in Cocoa Village feature Brown Bag Jazz, a wonderful jam session that has been entertaining crowds for years. And many more are on the horizon.

Thanks to local jazz anchors like Heidi’s Jazz Club, the Galaxy Grill, Café Flamant, radio station WFIT, Jazz on the Beach icon Jack Simpson, the annual Cocoa Beach Jazz Fest, and the hundreds of local musicians and patrons, jazz exploration is alive and well and NASA is no longer the only game in town. So whether you’re a rising new star or a long-enduring comet, make sure you pass through Brevard County and let jazz resonate in your hearts and throughout the universe.

Everything in life requires timing. Whether it be gardening, cooking, parenting, sports, the stock market, or even relationships, timing is key. So when it comes to jazz, what’s the right time? Well, that depends on whom you ask.

A seasoned musician might say, "Man, I like it hard and fast, really burning." An old-timer, maybe, "Slow and cool, the kind of sound that really gets into your bones." A student might say, "At the end of this semester, when I finish my jazz theory course." Dave Brubeck might answer, "5/4 man, like ‘Take Five.’ " A businessman might respond, "When the guys from the office and I head on down to this great little jazz club right off the beach. They serve the best martinis ever." A quantum physics student might respond, "Whenever the Sam Rivers Big Band plays. They play some of the most far-out jazz I’ve ever heard."

So as you can see, when it comes to jazz, there are many right times. However, I believe Charlie Parker said it best: "Now’s the Time." Life is too short to put things off until tomorrow. Now is the time to live, connecting with people, creating happiness, enjoying every moment life has to offer. And jazz can certainly be an important catalyst toward that ultimate fulfillment. Learning to play jazz helps youngsters develop culture and discipline. It’s fun and social and helps keep our minds sharp and active. With all of its wonderful aspects and beautiful harmonies, jazz truly enriches people’s lives.

That’s why the Space Coast Jazz Society exists. We are dedicated to serving our members and the community by keeping jazz alive in Brevard. To help in our mission, we have updated our membership options, hoping to generate additional revenue. (See story on Page 1)

We have kept our basic membership fee at $15 for a single and $25 for a family. However, for those who can afford and want to do something extra, we are offering new patron and corporate memberships. There are Siler, Gold, and Platinum levels ranging from $60 to $1,000.

Benefits for patrons include a listing of gratitude in our newsletter and on our website; prepaid admission for two to all Jazz Society events, including our benefit concert and Christmas party; stage recognition at special events; and a framed certificate of appreciation. Our corporate benefits include all of the above, plus advertisements in our newsletter and website. Please refer to our membership folder or website for complete details.

We are also in the process of updating our e-mail notification service, designed to keep our members informed about current jazz events and to assist local musicians and clubs owners in promoting their gigs. Additionally, we are creating a musicians’ index, which will be available for musicians to post their personal information, musical instrument, level of musicianship, and availability for jam sessions or gigs. Please refer to our membership coupons in the newsletter and our newly designed website for complete details. Become a member and join our e-mail notification service on line at www.spacecoastjazzsociety.com today!

So when it comes to jazz, what’s the right time? Like Charlie Parker said, "Now’s the Time."

As the newly elected Presiding Director of the Space Coast Jazz Society, I find myself asking the question, what is the purpose of a jazz society? To attempt to answer this question I look toward the past as well as the future.

It all started some 20 years ago. Allen Simms, a big band jazz singer and army veteran, approached local jazz enthusiast Jack Simpson about the possibility of starting a jazz society right here in town. Allen said that he would handle all the legalities and business aspects of running the society and asked Jack, with all his jazz knowledge and connections, to handle the musical and social aspects. They agreed, and in August 1986 the Jazz Society of Brevard was officially up and running as a nonprofit corporation.

At first, the jazz society was extremely small and intimate. Regular meetings would attract small handfuls of jazz lovers and aficionados to various locations throughout the county. These meetings were quite different than the meetings of today. Just imagine a small group of people gathering in some cozy restaurant or small bar, casually enjoying provocative conversations about jazz. Guest speakers were invited to share their experiences and expertise on jazz. Games of chance with lucrative prizes of famous jazz recordings were the norm. Often, live music found its way into the scene. A piano player, or some guy with a harmonica, might show up and entertain club members with his or her own special brand of music. Times were good, people were happy, and jazz was happening.

As the Jazz Society of Brevard grew in popularity, so did its scope and mission. Music festivals and concerts would attract many new people, who in turn became Society members. Jazz was alive—in restaurants, in bars, and in nightclubs, all around town—and with its popularity came prosperity. Increased revenue from additional memberships and donations allowed the Jazz Society to branch out to education. A scholarship fund was created to help young musicians through college. Music enrichment programs helped teachers educate and expose their students to the beauty of jazz. Annual benefit concerts were given to help fund these worthy projects. Members would look forward to the annual Christmas Party for a gala celebration. Yes, the jazz society was on the move.

Eventually Jack and the original founders stepped down and passed the Society’s baton to Helen Inglis, Neal Weiss and Don Schultz, each of whom added their own flavor and resonance to jazz in Brevard County.

In March of 2002, the society was renamed the Space Coast Jazz Society. Although its name had changed, its mission was the same: help keep jazz alive and well in Brevard County. Continuing tradition, members gather the second Sunday of each month to socialize and enjoy a live jazz concert. School outreach programs continue to inspire, and the scholarship fund is healthy and active. The library program has generously stocked the Cocoa library with an impressive array of jazz recordings and materials. The Space Coast Jazz Society is alive and well. Could we be better? Yes. Will we be better? You can bet on it!

I have presented the board of directors with an ambitious agenda for the upcoming year. The central theme is increasing membership satisfaction, encouraging youth involvement, generating income, and networking with the community. We are in the process of creating a student organization in which each school will have a student liaison voicing his or her opinions about the direction of the jazz society. We will work together with local musicians and businesses, offering workshops, jam sessions, socials, and recitals. We plan to create a musician’s referral index and an e-mail notification system to help musicians promote their gigs. This will encourage musicians to join the jazz society as active members. .

Members attending our monthly meeting at the Merritt Island Moose Lodge have been enjoying superior acoustics and atmosphere created by the newly upgraded sound system, stage lighting and seating arrangements. As a celebration of the Space Coast Jazz Society’s 20th anniversary, a special tribute to its original founders is planned for our September meeting. We are proud to announce that our Christmas party will be held at the brand-new Hilton Hotel located beachside in Indialantic. It will feature Christmas vocals and the sounds of Benny Goodman as performed by the Terry Myers Quintet.

New and exciting venues are just over the horizon. But we can’t do it alone. We need your help. Donations and sponsors are needed to support our generous programs.

We are seeking volunteers to help implement the musician’s referral index and the e-mail notification system. Any student interested in becoming a school liaison should contact the Jazz Society immediately.

And above all, we need musicians and listeners to become lifetime members and enjoy the many benefits of the Space Coast Jazz Society.

Join us as we bring all the charm, excitement, and intimacy of jazz back to the future.

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