True Blue Jazz heats up winter
True Blue Jazz festival organizers are keeping busy in winter with preproduction of the upcoming events.
In December, True Blue took its show on the road to Seaford High School to present a holiday-themed, introduction to jazz performance. Eddie Sherman and Peggy Raley, along with their friends in The Cartoon Christmas Trio, brought the sounds of Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang to the Seaford stage.
“It’s the familiarity with these songs that were ever-present throughout the Peanuts cartoon movies that makes it so natural for all these students to relax and enjoy what they’re hearing – which is really jazz,” said Peggy Raley, co-founder and artistic director of True Blue Jazz.
In January, Sherman and Raley were center court for a Supper Club Show in New York City at storied club The Jazz Standard for a performance featuring master saxophonist Benny Golson. At 89 years young, 1995 NEA Jazz Master Golson presented a phenomenal evening of jazz.
True Blue Jazz was fortunate to partner with the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce in February for the chamber’s annual awards dinner. True Blue awarded its annual scholarship to student percussionist and jazz drummer Dru Simmons. The aspiring young musician has exhibited drive and determination by landing roles in the Cape Henlopen High School Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Marching Band, and Cape Henlopen High School Choir and Chorus. Among his many accolades, Simmons was also selected for Sussex County Band, All-State Band and All-State Orchestra.
True Blue spent a long weekend in mid-February at the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, where Sherman and Raley held court at a promo table to offer information about the True Blue fest.
“Holding court at the True Blue Jazz promo table gave us a chance to meet and greet jazz fans of the DC area who love, appreciate and demand real, straight-ahead jazz,” said Sherman. “But hosting Saturday night in the MAJF main showroom was a special treat for Peggy and me.”
Raley echoed his sentiments. “Introducing those headliner acts to the Mid-Atlantic jazz audience was a True Blue coup,” she said, “and we are so grateful to have been welcomed by everyone there as part of the real jazz family in the Mid-Atlantic Region.”
The real thrill for the duo was seeing the Cape Henlopen Jazz Ensemble and Music Director Chris Burkhart walk into the hotel lobby and arrive for their appearance in the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Fest High School Jazz Band competition. The ensemble delivered a dynamite performance, competing against 20 of the finest high school jazz bands from across the Mid-Atlantic.
True Blue is saluting April as Jazz Appreciation Month, and putting together a show Saturday, April 28, featuring Suede in concert backed by the incomparable Fred Hughes Trio.
Venue, show time and ticket information will be forthcoming. For the latest updates on tickets and for more information about True Blue Jazz go to www.truebluejazz.org.
