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October-November-December 2021 Vol. IV ISSUE 4

JAZZ ME NEWS

SUNCOAST JAZZ SOCIETY INC

UPCOMING CONCERT NOTICE

CHRISTMAS PARTY

Sunday, December 5th, 2021

“Pepper & Friends”

Cove Cay Country Club

2:30pm to 5:00pm

In This Issue

Still Hot Jazz Band Concert 1

Presidentially Speaking 2

A Christmas Gift 3

Nomination Ballot for Officers 4

Nomination Instructions 5

Presidentially Speaking 5

Pres Speaks / Christmas Gift 5

Photo Corner 6

Christmas Party 7

Christmas Party Cont. 8

Suncoast Jazz Festival 9

Upcoming Events 10

General Information 11

Back Page—Venue 12

STILL HOT JAZZ BAND

Please join us for an afternoon of jazz from the past. Joining us on October 17th, 2021

are the upbeat sounds of the “Still Hot Jazz Band”, featuring the talents of:

Chris Smith—Trumpet

Gordon Moore—Trombone

John Skilman—Clarinet

Michael Evans— Banjo

Jonathan Kaufman - Bass

Stan Mulder—Drums

Please join us as we get our Dixieland feet a dancin’ to the sounds of this remarkable

band doing what they do best.

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PRESIDENTIALLY SPEAKING

Ken Kaplan

On Sunday, September 26, the music returned to Cove Cay, and it did so with a flourish and a bang. The band was billed as Jay Mueller and Friends, but the important thing was that four old buddies, all professional music-makers who love to play traditional jazz, came to us to share that love. Jay strumming his bass, Jeff Phillips tickling the keyboard, John dePaolo with trumpet and flugelhorn (and maybe an odd cornet or two), and Clyde Connor on the drums gave us two one-hour sets that seemed like old, treasured memories expressed as jam sessions.

Thirty-five jazz lovers delighted in the band's performance, but I'm not sure who had the better time -- us or them. Regardless, after 18 months of Coronavirus-imposed silence, the music came back to us with a roar. Jay and Friends had entertained us once before (January 2020), but that was a different time and a different circumstance. I felt fortunate to be among the lucky thir-ty-five, and I have never appreciated good music more. Judging by the applause for each number, the feeling was unanimous.

The first set was composed mostly of old favorites, the songs that everyone in the audience knew. Because I was sitting in the back, I could hear a lot of people humming along. John dePaolo gave us a real treat by trotting out his flugelhorn for "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," showing us a mellowness that even Duke Ellington would have appreciated. The second set included older, birth-of-jazz-type melodies which evoked memories of Louis Armstrong playing New Orleans jazz. I hadn't heard "Jubilee" in years. It was a really fine opening for our post-pandemic presen-tations.

But we're not stopping there. On October 17, SDJS will be proud to present The Still Hot Jazz Band, a wonderful group of six all-star long-time Dixieland musicians who are not residents of the Tampa Bay area. Some of you may remember that they performed for us at Cove Cay in March of 2020. They brought the house down, and we knew we wanted them to return quickly, but the @#$% pandemic got in the way. Now I'm not saying that the pandemic is over, but we've been without good music for a long time. and Heaven smiled upon us by making Still Hot available on the date that Cove Cay had given us in October. Yippee! The music starts at 2:30PM.

Most of you will recognize the members of the band. Fronted by Mike Evans, a banjo play-er of tremendous talent, the group includes a brass section made up of Chris Smith on trumpet and trombonist Gordon Moore. John Skillman plays clarinet, and Jonathan Kaufman strums the bass. Stan Mulder maintains the rhythm with his drum-set. We're lucky to have persuaded a band of this caliber to travel to Clearwater to perform for us.

As you all know, we don't produce a program in November to avoid competing with the fall festival, so we've scheduled the Annual Christmas Party and Dinner/Dance on the first Sunday in December. That's December 5th at 1:30PM for the dinner and 2:30PM for Tampa Bay's first lady of song, the fabulous Pepper. Pepper and her Friends, another all-star group of fine Dixieland mu-sicians, will entertain us for two hours. between 2:30PM and 5:00PM.

Everyone around here who loves jazz knows Pepper. Whether we remember her from the Wine Cellar, Woody Riley's Warehouse, or some other barely-remembered venue, the one thing Continued on Pg 5

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A CHRISTMAS GIFT THREE WEEKS EARLY

Ken Kaplan

If you've been reading this issue sequentially, you know that Pepper and her band

are performing at this year's Christmas Party on December 5. Many of you know Pepper

by her music, her voice, her past performances, her CDs, her gigs at Woody's and the Wine

Cellar and at other venues, and perhaps in a dozen other ways, all relating to Pepper the

Performer. But if you're a fan, you might like to know about Pepper the Person. Who is

she? Who was she? And how did she transition into the Premier Pinellas Performer? I'm

not only a fan, but because I write for this magazine, I was able to say, "Pepper, tell me a

little about yourself," and it wasn't even a pick-up line. I sent her a few standard interview

questions, and she responded. Because she writes well, I'm including her response in her

own words.

HI Ken,

Finally finding a few moments to sit down and answer your interview!

Paulette Gwen Brown was born on July 12, 1956 in Evansville , IN, the second child of

five born to Gene and Susie Brown. First born, Steve (now deceased), Paulette, Rick, Scar-

let, and Donn. The Brown family moved from Indiana to Apopka, FL in 1962. By 1967, we

moved to Clearwater, FL where I started the 6th grade at Safety Harbor Elementary, on to

SH Middle School, and then graduated from Clearwater High where I sang 3 years in the

school choir as an alto. No college, no degrees, no major. My parents were musical and

artistic, as were theirs. Dad played piano by ear (no reading) and had a beautiful baritone

voice, singing in a Clearwater Barbershop Group. I picked up the guitar and piano for a bit

but did not stay with it. Of course at age 12, I had no idea I would end up in a band! Like

Dad, I never learned to read music. I seemed to learn much faster just listening. Right out

of high school, age 18, I took up serving at the local night club in downtown Clearwater,

Woody Riley's Warehouse, where a Dixieland band was playing. A fun , family type

place. The band leader let me sit in for a song and I grew from there into a permanent po

position in the band as their featured singer. That was the start of paid gigs for me, and in

1976, we recorded the first Garden Ave. Seven LP. Yes, LP not CD! The band started pick-

ing up jazz festivals as early on as 1978 and went full blown traveling in the 80's, playing

festivals and cruise ships nationally and internationally. We produced more recordings

Continued on Pg 5 A Christmas Gift

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CURRENT OFFICERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS (January 2022)

President ____KEN KAPLAN________________________________

Vice President ____DICK MALEY________________________________

Secretary (2 year term) ____PAT HOON_________________________________

Treasurer ____KEN KAPLAN________________________________

Past President ____DICK MALEY________________________________

Members At Large ____DICK MALEY_________________________________

VOLUNTEER FOR A COMMITTEE (January 2022

Communication ______________________________________________ (Name)

Hospitality ______________________________________________ (Name)

Outreach ______________________________________________ (Name)

Publicity ______________________________________________ (Name)

Program ______________________________________________ (Name)

NOMINATION BALLOT (January 2022)

President ______________________________________________ (Name)

Vice President ______________________________________________ (Name)

Secretary (2 year term) ______________________________________________ (Name)

Treasurer ______________________________________________ (Name)

VOLUNTEER FOR COMMITTEE

Communication ______________________________________________ (Name)

Hospitality ______________________________________________ (Name)

Outreach ______________________________________________ (Name)

Publicity ______________________________________________ (Name)

Program ______________________________________________ (Name)

Please send all nomination forms to PO Box 1014, Largo, Florida 33779-1014

Nominations will be tallied and presented for voting at General Meeting in January.

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NOMINATION INSTRUCTIONS

1) The enclose nomination ballot is for you to nominate a member, or members for a position on the Board

Of Directors & Committee Positions.

2) Please mail your nomination to PO Box 1014, Largo, Florida 33779-1014

3) The Nominated members will have the right to accept or decline the nomination for a specific position at

the General meeting in January.

4) Those who have accepted the nomination will be asked to leave the room for the Vote.

5) Members will be asked to vote for a specific nominee which will be tallied and announced as soon as

nominees return from the hallway.

6) Upon return to the meeting the new Board Of Directors & Committee nominations will be announced

and congratulations will follow.

Continued from Pg3 A Christmas Gift

when we were home long enough to accomplish them. I first met Dick Maley when he

played with the Dixie Zing Kings at Woody Riley's Warehouse in the late 70's. He worked

with us a lot over the years, on and off the road.

Most folks know unless you are a full time, working musician, it doesn't pay the

rent. So, in between trips and gigs which over the years dwindled, I had numerous jobs. The

first was as a waitress, and then I became a secretary for an A/C business. On from there, I

delivered mail for 12 years. After schlepping mail and sound equipment for years, the old

back started to give me trouble. So for the last 6 years I took my band leader skills to become

a restaurant manager and am still working at that part time now, hoping to retire next year. I

enjoy sitting on the Board of Directors in the sound & technical chair for the Suncoast Jazz Festival and hope

to see all of you there in November! And of course, at the SDJS Christmas Party on December 5!

continued from Pg 2 Presidentially Speaking

we cannot forget is her lovely voice, showcasing her obvious love of jazz that bursts upon us like a

glorious summer sunrise. Pepper has been a member of SDJS for many years and loves performing for us. She recently sent me an email in which she said she can't wait for December 5. Well that makes two of us, Pep. I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas.

Somewhere in this issue of Jazz Me News, there should be another article which includes a few column-inches written by Pepper in response to questions which I asked her. I was mainly in-terested in how a girl born in the mid-west managed to emigrate to Tampa Bay and become one of

our most popular musicians. I found her answers fascinating, and I think you will, too.

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PHOTO CORNER

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PEPPER & FRIENDS

CHRISTMAS PARTY

COVE CAY GOLF CLUB

December 5th, 2021

2:30pm to 5:00pm

“Pepper”—Vocalist, Leader Dick Maley—Drums, Vocals, Co-leader

Rick Bankemper—Piano, Vocals Jim Saleem—Saxophones, Vocals

Daniel Harris—Guitar Steve Boisen—Upright Bass

Pepper and her musicians are always up for a great time and will give all

they have whether it’s 2 or 200 in the audience! You will be introduced to some new sounds from professional players like Daniel Harris, Steve Boisen & Jim

Saleem, although Pepper & Jim have worked together off and on over a 46yr span. Bankemper, fondly known as “Ricky B”, has been Pepper’s pianist as a duo and band member as far back as the Wine Cellar gig days. Many of us remember

the fun of Sunday nights there!

Her best buddy on the bandstand has always been percussionist, Dick “Spanky” Maley. Pepper & Dick click in personality, their giving nature and both LOVE to sing separately or together, with Dick providing great harmonies! The

band is very much looking forward to playing for you, so come on out and have a good time, enjoy the Christmas season!

In Memory of Pianist, Michael “Spike” Bamsey

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SUNCOAST JAZZ SOCIETY CHRISTMAS PARTY

COVE CAY GOLF CLUB

Member Price $40

Non-Member Price $45

MENU

Choice Of:

Chicken Shyrle

(Chicken Marsala Wine Wild Mushroom Demi on Pan Seared Chicken)

Or

Pork Loin a la Ashton

(Slow Roasted Loin of Pork Finished With Sauce Robert)

House or Caesar Salad

Rice or Potato

Tea & Coffee

Chocolate Cake, Apple Pie, NY Cheesecake, Lemon Bars, Mini Key Lime Pie

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Please Join the Suncoast Jazz Society as we help support the Suncoast

Jazz Classic by attending this years festival at the Sheraton Sand Key Re-

sort on beautiful Clearwater Beach. This years festival will be held Novem-

ber 19th—21st. So many amazing bands and guest soloist will be in

attendance.

If you would like to help by volunteering to sit at our table in the main hall-

way that would be greatly appreciated by our jazz society.

Thanks in advance.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

All Upcoming Events are from 2:30pm-5:00pm on Sundays

Limited Food or Snacks Will Be Served at Each Event with Cash Bar

Events are $15 Mem / $20 Non Mem. / Dinner Events are $40 mem / $45 non mem

NEW FALL SEASON

OCTOBER 17th, 2021

Still Hot Jazz Band

Cove Cay Golf Club

NOVEMBER 19-21 2021

Suncoast Jazz Festival

Sheraton Sand Key Resort

DECEMBER 5th, 2021

CHRISTMAS PARTY

“PEPPER” & Friends

$40 Member

$45 Non Member

Cove Cay Golf Club

NEW WINTER SEASON

JANUARY 2022

General Meeting

Election of Officers

Band TBA

FEBRUARY 2022

Band TBA

MARCH 2022

Band TBA

APRIL 2022

Band TBA

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SOCIETY CONTACT INFORMATION

General Mail: P.O. Box 1014, Largo, FL 33779-1014

Membership Mail: address above

Patron reservations: 727-215-2938 (Shyrle Pollak)

Email reservations: jazzreservations@gmail.com

Outreach reservations: 863-838-9001 (Dick Maley)

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

PLEASE PRINT IN CAPITAL LETTERS

NEW______ RENEWAL______ DATE______________

NAME(S): _____________________________________

ADDRESS: __________________________________

CITY ________________________ STATE_________

ZIP ___________ TELEPHONE (____)______________

Email address: _________________________________

Check One Patron Individual Family

Corresponding (Newsletter Only)

Would you like to be a volunteer and if so, in what

capacity? _____________________________________

Referred by (if applicable) ________________________

Complete the application form and make check payable to the

SUNCOAST DIXIELAND JAZZ SOCIETY, INC. Mail check with

application to:

SUNCOAST JAZZ SOCIETY, INC.

P.O. Box 1014

Largo, Florida 33779-1014

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY— ANNUAL DUES

Patron (Couple or Individual) $125.00

Family (Couple) $ 40.00

Individuals $ 30.00

Corresponding (Newsletter Only) $ 25.00

Student (Full Time) with student card No Charge

New members joining January through April pay full

amount of dues. New members joining May through Septem-

ber pay 50 per-cent of dues. New members joining October

through December pay full amount of dues but membership

is valid through December of following year. Renewing mem-

bers pay full amount of dues on January 1.

Family and individual members receive the newsletter and

special rates when attending society-sponsored events. Dues

are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Patron membership includes individual or family (couple)

membership and reserved seating as well special rates for up

to four persons at society events (not transferable)

Students must be full time high school or college students.

Corresponding membership entitles the member to the

monthly newsletter only.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ELECTED OFFICERS

President Ken Kaplan 727-542-0645

Vice President Dick Maley 863-838-9001

Secretary Pat Hoon 727-329-9201

Treasurer Ken Kaplan 727-542-0645

Past President Dick Maley 863-838-9001

Member-at-Large

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON

Hospitality Shyrle Pollak 727-215-2938

Membership Gene Mondani 727-789-0609

Membership Lucie Mondani 727-789-0609

Outreach Dick Maley 863-838-9001

Publicity Pat Hoon 727-329-9201

Program Barry Potts 407-896-4660

SCHOLARSHIP & YOUTH EDUCATION

Marilyn Heidtke 727-399-1494

EDITOR “Jazz Me News”

Dick Maley 863-838-9001

ASSOCIATES

Concert Cashier Lynn Shaw 727-596-4547

Asst. Cashier Midge Powell 727-768-2941

Website Production Dick Maley 863-838-9001

Technical Services David Segal 813-503-4682

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SUNCOAST JAZZ SOCIETY, INC.

P.O. Box 1014

Largo, FL. 33779-1014

October-November-December 2021

JAZZ-HEAR IT HERE

Al Downing’s Jazz Jam—Hanger Restaurant, 540 1st Street

South, St Petersburg, FL every Monday 8 to 10 pm

Suncoast Jazz Society Brings You The Best In Trad Jazz & Swing

Suncoast Jazz Society Webpage

Just a reminder that you can visit

the SDJS on line at our webpage

by entering this URL.

www.sdjs.org If you would like to

see what's happening with your

organization please drop by the

website a get the most current

and up-to-date information and

stay informed.

PLEASE SEND ME YOUR EMAIL

ADDRESS SO WE CAN SEND

YOU UPDATES AND

ANNOUNCE-MENTS.

maleydick@gmail.com

Please use the words “new email

address” in the subject line.

PLACE

STAMP

HERE

Our Newest Venue is located at

COVE CAY GOLF CLUB

2612 Cove Cay Dr.

Clearwater, FL 33760