Jazz-Razz-Ma-Tazz

Our family is into Jazz. Doug has been a great supporter of the boy's jazz education introducing them to the different styles of jazz. Every summer we have a tradition of Doug taking the kids to the Park City Jazz Festival, which they have been going to since the second year it has been in existence (we didn't know about it the first year). As each child would get older he would get to go. Now Abbie has also started going.

The boys have all been in the public school band programs, and Jazz Band is their favorite. I think that the experiences they've had at the workshops in Park City have helped them each create their style and sense of music. They are all such good musicians, not your run-of-the-mill music makers, and jazz is at the foundation of it all.

Fred playing his hollow body guitar

Jake, to the right of Mr. Follett, playing a jazz trombone

Last week, as school was winding down, was the Band dinner and awards night. In addition to the Certificates of Appreciation that everyone received for being in Band, a few other awards were given out...

Jake was given a "Random Comment" award, which is pretty hilarious, and if you know Jake you know how fitting that is!



Fred's tongue-in-cheek award was for "Stylin-ist Redhead", which meant a lot to him.... He also received a Certificate of Recognition for four years of playing the trumpet and guitar in the Symphonic Band and Jazz Band. Considering all the kids who start band as Freshmen, there weren't that many who received this award as a Senior.


The award that meant the most to Fred, and to us as his parents, was the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award. The award states: Louis Armstrong was the epitome of jazz as a trumpeter, singer, and band leader. His imaginative, simple style led the way for others and changed the course of jazz. His phenomenal skill dazzled audiences around the world. Lucille Armstrong, his wife in later years, described his love for people. "Louis's greatest personality traits were humility and generosity...He just loved people, and he always tried to understand them too...He was compassionate, generous, and understanding with everyone...He was loved, not only for his style, but as a person as well."

This award was introduced in 1974 with the approval of Lucille Armstrong, the widow of Louis, to honor outstanding jazz students across the country. We were thrilled that Fred was chosen to receive this award. It is a lot more meaningful than the stylin' redhead thing!

And our family looks forward to this summer's Park City Jazz Festival!