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Jazz @ the Library: West Fresno Blues - June 16th

West Fresno Blues: The Untold Story

Local blues and jazz educator Roger Gonzales hosts a talk on West Fresno Blues as the June installment of the Jazz @ the Library series, Tuesday June 16th at 7:00 PM at the Woodward Park Regional Library at 7:00 PM. The post WWII Blues scene in Fresno had a distinctive sound that contributed greatly to the West Coast Blues sound. While the two major cities of LA and Oakland/SF offered a much more urban or “big city” sound to the Blues, Fresno offered a much more rural “down home” feel to the Blues, which is still found in Fresno Blues to this day. Some of the pioneers of that sound still live and perform in Fresno to this day and will be featured in the upcoming presentation at the Woodward Park Library. This presentation is about the Fresno Blues scene that took place on the west side of the city. The blues scene consisted primarily of a network of Juke Joints that were an important part of California’s version of a Chitlin’ Circuit. These clubs provided African American musicians a safe place to perform during the unfortunate years of segregation in the United States. Musicians traveling between LA and SF could also be found performing in one of West Fresno’s juke joints such as the Jericho Café, Loretta’s Inn or Wagner’s. But along with the traveling bluesmen from the two major cities were the local bluesmen that created that down home feel so distinctive to Fresno’s sound. Performers like Sidney Maidens, Mercy Dee Walton and Hosea Leavy worked and lived in Fresno a were a major influence to the growth of the music. The event will also feature live music from Fresno blues legends, Ed Bruke and Bobby Logan.

Tuesday June 16th - 7:00 PM Woodward Park Regional Library 944 E Perrin Ave (Champlain & Perrin)

JazzFresno wins People's Choice "Hidden Gem" honors from Fresno Bee

JazzFresno has been named by the Fresno Bee as one of Fresno's "Hidden Gems" in the newspaper's annual "Central Valley People's Choice Awards 2008". The publication honors JazzFresno for its working at fostering new opportunities for education and performance in our local jazz community, and working with local schools to enhance their jazz programs. "We're thrilled to be honored by The Bee as one of Fresno's "hidden gems," said JazzFresno Vice President Joe Moore. "We hope that as more people recognize the rich local jazz community that we already have, and the programs our organization offers, that JazzFresno won't be a hidden gem for long."

Tokyo Garden Jazz Jams

1st, 3rd & 4th Sundays of the Month at Tokyo Garden

For nearly five years, local jazz fans and musicians have had a home at one of Fresno's longtime restaurants and music venues, Tokyo Garden, located 1711 Fulton Street in downtown Fresno. On the first Sunday of every month, local pianist and jazz educator Craig Von Berg hosts a jam session with his trio, featuring John Lauffenburger on bass and Brian Hamada on drums. On the third Sunday of the month, jazz guitarist and Director of Jazz Studies at Fresno City College, Mike Dana hosts the session, with his band. On the fourth Sunday of the month the jam is hosted by pianist David Aus and guitarist Andre Bush. The sessions begin at 6:00pm.

Jazz has always been a musical form passed on from musician to musician, and jam sessions have played a big role in the history of jazz. The story of virutally every major jazz musician almost always involves a jam session, as these are settings where musicians get to try out new ideas, and learn the language of jazz. Musicians of all levels are encouraged to participate, and should bring lead sheets (3) for the rhythm section. It's a fun, entertaining and educational experience, and a great way to get a taste of the local jazz scene.

Tokyo Garden's website...

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Help support the mission of JazzFresno by becoming a member today! Your support allows JazzFresno to preserve, promote, present and explore jazz in the Central San Joaquin Valley. If you love jazz, and want to see our jazz scene grow and thrive, now is the time to join. Download this PDF membership form, and send your donation to Jazz Fresno today: