The summer festival season is here!  Almost every weekend there's something going on in the Greater Vancouver/Portland/Salem area.

The big ones are Cathedral Park in July, Mt Hood in August, and Newport in September.  This year a notable addition is the Tomahawk Island event in August, featuring Tom Grant and Ron Steen and friends.

First and foremost: these festivals are where your jazz society brings in some important income.  We sell our shirts, caps, pins, etc. for a modest profit, and the revenue helps us do all the things we do throughout the year to promote jazz and jazz musicians of all ages. 

It's fun working the table at these events - but it also takes a lot of people to spread the work around.  Consider this issue of Jazzscene a JSO Pledge Drive: write in now with your donation of 3 hours at one of the four events.

You'll meet some fun people, feel good about doing your share for the Jazz Society of Oregon, and for the paying events - you get in free!  Heck of a deal!  Send me an email, or give me a call at 503-708-2242, and we'll put you to work!

Speaking of the festivals, you might notice that there's an emphasis on local musicians this year.  Though the reason might be financial, the result is a positive one.  We might not get to hear some of the Giants of Jazz coming through with their 45-minute sets, but we will get to hear some of the area's great local talent.

It's been said often that Portland is a great jazz town, and this is true.  We have some fine clubs, and definitely world-class musicians.  The solid jazz fan (that would be you, gentle reader) turns out on a regular basis to hear great music.

Sometimes the clubs get some other folks who just happen to drop in (they're the ones that have to talk loudly to be heard over the music).  The good news is that sometimes those yakkers actually hear what's going on, and come back to actively listen.  At least I hope so.

The festivals bring in many people who are newer to jazz.  They come out for more social reasons.  We're glad they're there.  And this year, with an emphasis on local musicians, let's hope we build a new following!

The more paying customers we have in the clubs, the more the clubs can afford to have great music - and we all benefit.  Jazz fans are kind of an "in" crowd to be sure.  Let's support making the crowd a huge one!

And speaking of clubs, JSO has its board meetings at Wilf's on the second Tuesday of each month.  We meet at 6:00, get done around 7:30 to be there for Ron Steen's vocal jam session.  A great way to spend an evening - good food and drink, productive meeting, and great jazz.  You can't beat it!

Hope to see you there!

Chuck Carpenter
President, JSO