Thanks to the Telegraph Herald for coverage and support of this event. Following is the history making story that appeared on the front page of their Sunday Edition, June 10, 2001.
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In the mood
to dance:
Jack Jenney Jazz Festival:About 2,000 people enjoy event
honoring the Big Band trombonist
By JOE HEITZ of the Telegraph Herald
Photo
Credit:
Dave Renaud, of Milwaukee, Wis., plays his baritone saxophone with Swing Nouveau during the Jack Jenney Jazz Festivl Saturday afternoon at Eagle Point Park. TH photo by Brett Roseman.
Hot jazz licks swung through the cool shade at the Jack Jenney Jazz Festival
in Eagle Point Park Saturday.
The first-ever event drew a good crowd of all generations, said festival
coordinator Paul Hemmer.
“I’m really happy with the turnout,” he said. Hemmer anticipated about 2,000 people to attend the afternoon and evening event honoring one of the top swing trombonists of the Big Band era.
“It brings back memories,” said Delores Roth, 75, of East Dubuque, Ill.
“Back home we had a big-band room,” chimed in 77-year-old Dubuquer Jean Velma Ginter from across the picnic table. “We’d go a couple nights a week. I really loved to dance — swing out, spin in. It was fun.”
“I think all generations like it,” added Roth.
Dubuque residents Amber Donton and Rich Hanselmann agree. The 20-somethings were all smiles as they danced to Swing Nouveau’s rendition of “In the Mood” in the grass next to the bandshell.
“It’s awesome,” said Donton. “I feel like we’re going back in time. It makes me want to dance to all hours of the night.”
Although he came up with the jazz festival idea about 20 years ago, Hemmer said the timing just wasn’t right until this year. The event will raise funds for the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra and the music programs in the Dubuque Community School District.
“We’d had jazz festivals in years past,” said Susan Butler, president of the symphony board. “But we decided we needed to revamp the style and the venue.”
This year’s event featured jazz and swing musicians from around the Midwest, in addition to local talent. The jazz band from Dubuque Senior High School — Jenney’s alma mater — joined the mix of professional musicians.
“We dreamed of weather like this, crowds like this and music like this,” said John Woodin, arts coordinator for the Dubuque schools. “It’s all coming together.”
Jack Jenney grew up in Dubuque and attended Senior High School before going on to make a name for himself as one of the top musicians of the ’30s and ’40s. His 71-year-old son, John, was on hand from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to enjoy the afternoon’s sounds.
“It’s wild,” he said. “I can’t believe they put this together for my father.”
Event organizers are pleased with how the first Jack Jenney Jazz Festival turned out and hope to do it all over again next summer.
“When the weather broke on Thursday, I said ‘Hallelujah,’” Hemmer said. “It looks like a big success.”
“This is just the greatest,” said DeWitt resident Ardy Schnittjer. “A beautiful park, great scenery and the best music — this is what summer is all about in the tri-state area.”
Copyright 2001 Telegraph Herald