The Mary Louise Knutson Trio (Jay Epstein, left, Mary Louise Knutson and Gary Raynor) provided an impressive repertoire of standards at this year's Great River Jazz Festival, held August 8-10 in La Crosse, Wisc.

The Great River Jazzfest Honors the Hall Brothers

Text and Photos by Paige Van Vorst

The Great River Jazz Festival, laid low by two consecutive rainouts at its La Crosse, Wisc. outdoor venue, opted for an indoor festival this year, and the result was a very enjoyable outing for all involved. The music was great, and the facilities were wonderful. Everything was within easy walking distance, and the setting, with a spectacular view of the Mississippi River, couldn't have been better.

Co-director Norm Thingvold scouted groups from all around the Upper Midwest and contacted several groups from the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.), including the Mary Louise Knutson Trio, the Reuben Ristrom Quartet, and the New Orleans-style band co-led by Bill Evans and Charlie DeVore. After Thingvold inked the Evans-DeVore combo, Evans mentioned that perhaps he could deliver the legendary Hall Brothers Jazz Band if they could get their clarinetist, Butch Thompson, to juggle some dates. Thingvold, a Minneapolis native, fondly remembered the Hall Brothers and bit instantly. After a few adjustments to Thompson's schedule, the Hall Brothers were re-assembled after about 15 years of nearly complete inactivity following the closing of their Emporium of Jazz in Mendota, Minn.

Reedman Dale Mendenhall played wth Reuben Ristrom's Quartet, an excellent small group led by Twin Cities guitarist/banjoist Reuben Ristrom, also leader of the Bourbon Street Boys, a band in demand at other festivals. Ristrom has recorded with other fine musicians, most notably as part of John Sheridan's Dream Band for Arbors Records.

Then tragedy struck. Donald "Doggie" Berg, the band's drummer, died of a massive heart attack on June 25. He was one of the band's original members and served as an exuberant vocalist in addition to being one of the few authentic New Orleans-styled drummers extant. The band soldiered on, designating Chuck DeVore, son of the band's cornetist Charlie Devore, to fill in on drums. There were a few rehearsals to get some of their old tunes down, and they were ready for the reunion.

The festival was held August 8-10. Events were scheduled at La Crosse Center all three days, and on Saturday, August 9, there were simultaneous events at two different venues -- LaCrosse Center and the Riverside Center South, across the street. In addition, jam sessions were held nightly at Buzzard Billy's Flying Carp Cafe, and there were ancillary events -- a jazz brunch, a jazz worship service and dinnertime gigs at nearby restaurants. All in all, there was enough music to cause a serious overload for all but the most dedicated jazz fan.

A major draw at the festival was the reunion appearance of the Hall Brothers New Orleans Jazz Band, a band that gained fame as the house band/owners of the justly loved Emporium of Jazz in Mendota, Minn., where their New Orleans style jazz reigned through the early 1990s. Mike Polad, who formerly played soprano sax with the band, fills in on piano here for Stan Hall whose ill health kept him from the lineup, and Chuck DeVore mans the drums for original drummer Doggie Berg Berg, who died six weeks before the festival. Other band members are, from left: Butch Thompson, clarinet; Charlie DeVore (father of Chuck), cornet; Bill Evans, bass; Russ Hall, trombone.

October 2008 issue | © 2008 The Mississippi Rag

P.O. Box 19068, Minneapolis, MN 55419.