HISTORY:
1975 | 1977 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 to present

1975 Page 4

An application to the Nevada State Council on the Arts resulted in a $5,283 grant. Trumpeter Walt Blanton's group, Dharma, played a March 19 Jazz Society Party at Paradise Village. Herbie Han***** and the Headhunters headlined the LVJS April 24 concert at the Tropicana Fountain Room with opening group Kelly Stevens and Carnival, followed by a party/reception at Monk's. Monk was acknowledged with a plaque on May 23 for the Society's participation in "May Is Jazz Month," the mayor-proclaimed City of Las Vegas happening, at the annual luncheon of the Allied Arts Council of Southern Nevada. A few days later, the Jazz Picnic at Sunset Park was a huge success.

The Jimmy Smith group, with John Phillips, and the Dick Berk Quartet played the LVJS June 26 concert at the Tropicana Hotel; Chuck Mangione played the Aladdin's Theater for the Performing Arts, July 4; and Supersax played July 31 at the Trop. In August, energized by their success, Monk, Dan, Ann McCullough, Bob and Joyce Hall and Bill Ludwig flew to San Francisco to present a proposal for an S.F. chapter of the LVJS to a group including Benny Barth and noted critic Herb Wong. LVJS had a booth at the August 9-14 Nevada State Fair, held in the Las Vegas Convention Center. On August 22 , the LVJS Jazz Ambassadors at Large were formed (named in second paragraph). Carmen McRae, the "singer's singer," sang at the Tropicana's Fountain Theater, August 21. Over the Labor Day weekend, the LVJS Big Band (Dan Skea's rehearsal band) performed on the Jerry Lewis telethon wearing Jazz Society T-shirts, playing Skea's "Bellevue," and backing Marlena Shaw on a tune. Count Basie drummer Butch Miles filled in (also sporting the T-shirt). LVJS held another Jazz Party at Heritage Square, September 24.

In October, the four-day D Street Festival "Culture in Motion--Africa" included a performance by the dance group Koumpo. DownBeat magazine ran a full page LVJS story entitled "How to Step Out into Jazz Society," November 1, 1977, in Dr. William L. Fowler's how-to music workshop column. More...

Vegas Jazz
PO Box 60396, Las Vegas, NV 89160
Message Line: 702.313.6778