Jazz - UNI Golden Anniversary Bash

UNI Jazz Bands Golden Anniversary Bash

Related article: UNI Jazz Bands - Background

In late 1950, an enterprising, clandestine group of Iowa State Teachers College (ISTC) students decided to form a big band and play jazz in the style of Woody Herman, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Stan Kenton. After managing many rehearsals, under the cover of darkness in old Gilchrist Hall, "Jazz at the Commons" was presented to a standing-room-only crowd in January 1951. From that date until now, big band jazz has become an integral part of the University's musical fabric. With 2001 just around the corner, plans are being formulated for a big, two-day jazz bash, to be held in the new Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (PAC), a fitting venue for such an auspicious occasion.

We want all previous members of the UNI Jazz Bands from 1951 to 2000 to participate. So dust off your instruments, build up your chops, loosen up your vocal chords and join in on what is going to be one of the most fantastic musical events ever held on the UNI campus.

Where:
Concerts will be in the new Gallagher-Bluedorn PAC

Bands:
Friday, Feb. 16 - current UNI Jazz Bands I and II Saturday,
Feb. 17 - three Alumni Bands - 1951-1963, 1964-1974 and 1975-2000 (depending upon alumni participation)

Attention:
If you want to perform in your era jazz band, we need to know
1) Name
2) Home address
3) Phone
4) E-Mail and/or FAX
5) Instrument(s)/Voice
6) Year(s) you played/sang in the jazz band (very important)

Respond either by U.S. mail, FAX or e-mail to:
Carolina Wilson, secretary
School of Music, UNI
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0802
319-273-2025 (phone)
319-273-7306 (FAX)
wilsonc@uni.edu

After all of the above information has been received at the School of Music, it will be collated by era and sent to the appropriate 50th Anniversary Committee members. They, in turn, will inform the interested participants of all pertinent information concerning the Golden Anniversary Bash.

For those alumni who will not be able to participate as performers, we still would like to hear from you in order to add to our jazz archives. We are collecting memorabilia to be displayed in the lobby of the Gallagher-Bluedorn PAC. So if you have some old programs or pictures that you would like to share, let us know. We are also publishing a Golden Anniversary souvenir program, covering the 50 years of jazz with pictures and narratives. For the possible production of a commemorative CD for the 50th anniversary of SDIJ, we are asking for any recordings of UNI groups from the 1950s. Finally, there is a strong possibility that Iowa Public Television will be taping the event. Information on all these projects will be made available at a later date.

Jazz at UNI is recognized nationally and internationally as one of the premier college and university programs. Plan on attending this once-in-a-lifetime event as either a performer or listener. You won't be disappointed. Feb. 16 and 17, 2001, the UNI Jazz Bands Golden Anniversary Bash: the place to be. See you there!

by Jim Coffin '52