Jazz Appreciation Month — April 2002

Last July, the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History announced its designation of April as Jazz Appreciation Month to pay tribute to jazz annually both as an historic and a living art form. In April 2002, the museum will spotlight the history and music of jazz through concerts, programs and museum collections. Other organizations, including schools, colleges, museums, concert halls, libraries and public broadcasters, were encouraged to mark the month with programs of their own.

It is most fitting, therefore, that the all-volunteer New England Jazz Alliance (NEJA) and its nonprofit 501c3 fiscal partner, the International Society, have chosen April as the time to present the New England Jazz Hall of Fame Exhibit and Concert Series at Boston’s Tremont Theater.

The Hall of Fame theme is "Johnny Hodges + Nine" in that Hodges was the top vote-getter among the first 10 jazz artists to be inducted.

The April evening program has been designed to be a tribute to those 10 people by those who appreciated them most — the jazz musicians who learned from them and performed with them, the photographers and journalists who chronicled their lives, the people who listened to or danced to their music, and their families and friends. The day programs are intended to connect young persons and people not familiar with the music to this most significant American subculture.

Opening night will feature trumpeter Herb Pomeroy, who is believed to be the only musician to have performed with all 10 of the first New England Jazz Hall of Fame inductees.

The New England Jazz Hall of Fame
Exhibit and Concert Series
In the Tremont Theater
at 276 Tremont Street, Boston

Exhibit featuring New England jazz photographers and jazz writers will be open 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, April 2-27

The following concerts begin at 8 p.m.
Monday, April 1—Exhibit opening (reception at 6:30), featuring the Herb Pomeroy Quartet
Tuesday, April 2—Tribute to Paul Gonsalves, featuring Andy McGhee and Jimmy Woode
Wednesday, April 3—Tribute to the Hall of Fame saxophonists, featuring Dick Johnson, Greg Abate and the Al Vega Trio
Monday, April 8— "Jaki Byard, Bill Barron and Beyond," featuring Bill Lowe, Carl Atkins and the Boston Jazz Repertory Orchestra
Tuesday, April 9—Tribute to Bobby Hackett by Ruby Braff and his quintet
Wednesday, April 10—Sabby Lewis Tribute by the Paul Broadnax Quintet
Wednesday, April 17—Tribute to Alan Dawson and Tony Williams, featuring Bobby Ward, John Ramsay and Billy Pierce
Monday, April 29—Closing celebration (reception at 6:30), featuring NEJA family and friends

* * * Throughout the month during exhibit hours, there also will be free lunch-time concerts, films, programs for children and music discussion groups.
All of the above concerts but the April 1 opener and April 29 celebration are $20 (and $15 for NEJA members). The April 1 and April 29 concerts, which include receptions, are $30 (and $25 for members). The entire eight-concert series is $100 for NEJA members. The Tremont Theater is next to the Wang Center and directly across the street from the Tremont House in the heart of Boston’s theater district. For information on concert package discounts and three-night Hall of Fame packages for $250 that include three nights (double occupancy) in the Tremont Boston hotel, call 617-567-6354, email nejazzhall@att.net, or log on to www.nejazz.org. Parking in the open lot 100 yards south of the theater is $5 on Monday nights only. NEJA also is working on establishing reasonable rates on the other nights as well. To get to the theater by MBTA, take the Green Line to the Boylston stop or the Orange Line to New England Medical Center.

Jazz by Day
Following are some of the other special events and programs (admission-free unless otherwise noted) that will be taking place during the New England Jazz Hall of Fame Exhibit at the Tremont Theater :
1 p.m. Tuesday, April 2 — Video/presentation on Paul Gonsalves and New England’s other Duke Ellington saxophonists.
12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6 — Lunch-time concert co-sponsored by Musicians Union Local 9-535.
2:30-4 p.m. Thursdays April 4, 11, 18 and 25 — "The Rhythms and Harmonies of Jazz" for children K-3. Fee $2 per session per child.
12:30-5 p.m. Tuesday April 9 — "Old-time Jazz" talk and performance by John Clark and Henry "Thins" Francis; films on Ruby Braff and Bobby Hackett and more jazz talk
12:30 p.m. Friday, April 12 — TGIF Lunch-time concert co-sponsored by Musicians Union Local 9-535.
1-3 p.m. Sat. April 13 — Book signing by Eric Nisenson, author of "BLUE, The Murder of Jazz."
1 and 3 p.m., Tues-Sat, April 16-20 — During school vacation week, there will be jazz by young people, including Lisa Yves and her Young Beboppers.
9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., April 19-20 — Exhibit of selected works by the late artist and "Jazz Loft" host David X. Young; meet Young's daughter, Eliza
For more information, call 617-567-6354

The Exhibit
Beginning April 2 through April 27, The New England Jazz Alliance and The International Society will be presenting the stories — in photographs, appreciation pieces, narration, film and biographical material — of the first 10 inductees into the New England Hall of Fame.
The first 10 inductees, as chosen by a knowledgeable college of 172 voters, are Johnny Hodges, Alan Dawson, Harry Carney, Paul Gonsalves, Jaki Byard, Bobby Hackett, Tony Williams, Sabby Lewis, Serge Chaloff and Sonny Stitt.
The literary contributors to the exhibit include Nat Hentoff, Bob Blumenthal, Eric Nisenson, Jack Bradley, Bob Young, Ernie Santosuosso, Tony Cennamo, Stu Vandermark, Fred Bouchard and Tom Reney, and the photographers include Jack Bradley, Nick Puopolo, Lee Tanner, Ruth Williams, Ken Franckling, Tom Curry and Vinnie Haynes. There also will be representative art works by David X. Young.
Hours for the exhibit are 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, and admission is free. There also will be free midday young people’s concerts April 16-20.