By Doug Hill

pop writer



A quarter century of tradition along with brilliant work by volunteers and cold hard cash from sponsors has made Jazz in June one of Oklahoma's finest festivals. It's provided so many stunning performances over the years. David "Fathead" Newman, Ellis Marsalis and Tito Puente immediately come to mind. Many of the jazz legends who have come to Norman are no longer with us. Brother Jack McDuff, along with my K.C. hometown hero and Muskogee native Jay McShann now play with the angels.

Jazz In June is also cool because of exposure to hot regional artists such as Kathy Kosins (Detroit) and Norma Zenteno (Houston). "Can you believe it's been 25 years," Jim Johnson, chairman of the JIJ program committee and KGOU program manager, asked the crowd June 26 before the festival's first performance. In those years we've come to expect high quality music and 2008 was certainly right there. This is the first in a two-part series, continued in next week's pop.



Miss Blues

Appropriately, Oklahoma's reigning Queen of the Blues Dorothy "Miss Blues" Ellis opened the show. Resplendent in a canary yellow gown and matching hat she was as gorgeous as a bird of paradise. With a band of guys on keys, guitar, drums and bass, the opening was an instrumental prelude. Miss Blues played washboard. "Tell mama to pray for me," she sang. Miss Blues has a mighty robust delivery. You would not want her hollering at you in anger. Miss Blues covered Sonny Boy Williamson and Robert Johnson. She sang a song about her man putting a double Whopper in the bag for her. Miss Blues got her sexy groove on and reminded us what the roll in rock 'n' roll is all about.



Saffire, the Uppity Blues Women

Ann Rabson (vocals/piano), Gaye Adegbalola (guitar, vocals) and Andra Faye (bass, violin, vocals) have made a career of being outspoken and attractive. "Aint Nobody's Business If I Do" was their opener and it pretty much characterizes their ethos. Adegbalola had been digging Miss Blues' show earlier, dancing and generally ready to rock. She stopped Norman cold with her lead vocals on outrageous "Silver Beaver." It's a Georgia O'Keefe flower painting of a song. Disturbing in so many ways, her composition had a magical albeit polarizing effect. Some huffed and left. Others boogied and hooted up front. Strong reaction indicated the definition of true art. "Someone got me a real piano to play and I appreciate it. With pianos, size really does count," Rabson said. They sang about having big ovaries too. Saffire played radio hit "Middle Age Blues." They're pioneer cougars and proud of it.



Norman North High School Jazz Choir

The second evening of Jazz In June continued with the traditional performance by Norman North High School's jazz choir. "This is my 15th year leading the choir," Director Tony Gonzalez began before being rudely interrupted by a yapping mutt. He stopped and turned toward the offending beast and its master. "Could you please stop that dog," Gonzalez commanded. The owner held doggy's mouth shut with his hands. North's eight-boy-and-six-girl ensemble sang a soulful arrangement of the Beatles' "In My Life." They concluded with "Operator (Please Get Me Jesus on the Line)."

Bruce Benson and Studio B

This OKC quintet features Benson's well-deep vocals that ooze sex appeal. His cover of "Mercy Mercy Me" inspired an impromptu 7-sister dance line in the audience. Larry Banks (sax/flute) repeatedly stole the show with one amazing solo after another. Finesse is his forte. If he honks we didn't hear it that night.



Barrie Lee Hall Jr. and the Duke Ellington Small Band

Nothing small about their sound, they were a tower of power with 2 trumpets, baritone sax, alto sax, tenor sax, trombone, piano, upright bass and drums. Their full, rich musicality gave true depth to Ellington's standards such as "Do Nothing 'Til you Hear From Me." Oklahoma wind played hell with their sheet music, but there were few miscues. One shimmering clarinet solo soared and hung in the air with miraculous intensity. The show closed with a number made famous by an incredible Ben Webster solo (tenor sax) many moons ago with its jiving eight-note phrases and torrid timbre. They played "Cottontail," then like energizer bunnies, disappeared into the night.