The La Crosse area Wonderful World Jazz Band has appeared at the festival for years. It's led by the Rev. Al Townsend, a very fine trumpeter. Other talented members of this popular band are Chuck Chihak, piano; Terry Grosskopf, bass; Paul Erickson, banjo; Ralph Wilcox, clarinet; Tom Wirkus, drums, and Dick Chaffee, valve trombone. 

Continued: Jazzfest

The festival was very well programmed, with chances to hear each of the groups more than once. As an added treat, there was a bit of mixing and matching, so each of the groups got a chance to play with members of other groups. This gave listeners a chance to hear something a bit different, and it let the musicians interact with jazz musicians of slightly differing styles, as the groups covered a fairly wide range of styles. The Saturday bill of fare offered the Pianorama, a long-time Great River feature. Participating were pianists from all of the groups and then some.

A closer look at Wonderful World clarinetist Ralph Wilcox, who's been with the band for years.

The Mary Louise Knutson Trio has been working in the Twin Cities for many years. Knutson is an excellent pianist, and her trio, which comprised Jay Epstein on drums and Gary Raynor on bass, includes some of the busiest musicians in the Twin Cities. Knutson scored with beautiful renditions of some hits of the 1940s and onward, including "Green Dolphin Street" and "Hurry On Down." Her Pianorama set included "Swingin' Shepherd Blues," which I haven't heard in years, "In the Bubble," a nice original based on a recent trip to Central America, and a very nice reading of "Pennies from Heaven." The trio was joined by Dale Mendenhall, another busy Twin Cities jazzman, for a nice set Saturday evening, including a fine version of "Speak Low," featuring Mendenhall on clarinet, and "What Is This Thing Called Love," with some strong tenor sax from Mendenhall. The group was then joined by Dick Chaffee of the Wonderful World Jazz Band, who played trumpet and flugelhorn. Highlights included a nice reading of "I Can't Get Started" and a vocal on "The Shadow of Your Smile."

Guitarist Reuben Ristrom's Quartet this year was similar to the one he brought to Madison a year ago -- Dale Mendenhall, reeds; John Bany, bass, and Charlie Braugham, drums. This is a well-integrated group, and Ristrom sparkled on both guitar and banjo. Mendenhall was featured on "When My Dreamboat Comes Home," an arrangement he says he borrowed from Bill Allred, with whom he sometimes performs. They were featured well on "Nancy With the Laughing Face," one of the few compositions by Phil Silvers, best remembered as Sgt. Bilko of 1950's television. One charming highlight came when John Bany's young granddaughter, Michaela, contributed a vocal on "Dreams Really Do Come True."

The La Crosse area has its own fine band -- the Wonderful World Jazz Band, led by Rev. Al Townsend. The band included Townsend, trumpet and vocals; Dick Chaffee, valve trombone; Ralph Wilcox, reeds; Chuck Chihak, piano; Paul Erickson, guitar and banjo; Terry Grosskopf, bass and tuba, and Tom Wirkus, drums. This is a solid band with a very effective stage presence. They know how to have fun during their sets without letting it get in the way of their music. Highlights included a wonderful bowed bass solo by Terry Grosskopf and an enjoyable vocal duet on "Shanty in Old Shanty Town." They were joined for a set by Butch Thompson, who played a beautiful clarinet solo on "Memories of You," a tribute to his old friend Doggie Berg. The set with Thompson also included a banjo feature on "If I Had You" and a nice reading of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic." The band presented an ecumenical jazz worship service Sunday morning at the Riverside Park bandshell.

Wonderful World bassist Terry Grosskopf scored with a beautiful bowed bass solo.

October 2008 issue | © 2008 The Mississippi Rag

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