Hot Springs Jazz Fest 2010

The Hot Springs Jazz Society will present its third annual fundraiser, Joy of Jazz, on Tuesday, September 14 at 7:00PM at "Club Ellington" in the Arlington Hotel Conference Center. This year's theme, "Sophisticated Swing," will focus on the Swing Era of the 1940's and will feature pictured vocalists, Shirley Chauvin and Craig Wilson, along with guest artists, Don and Corinne Gouch and the Sunnyaires (Sunny Evans, Carole Bledsoe, Rose Marie Canterberry, Dorothy Morris, Von Talbot and Mary Thomason) as the Andrew Sisters.

Phyllis Emert will set the mood of the evening with her piano stylings of 1940 era tunes as guests get refreshments and bid on the coveted private parties in the unique Joy of Jazz silent auction of special events.

The Clyde Pound Band, comprised of Clyde Pound on keyboard, Joe Vick on bass, Gary Meggs on alto sax, Bill Huntington on guitar, Brian Brown on drums, Mike Copeland on trumpet,Davis Laubach on trumpet, Mike Bryant on trombone, Stony Evans baritone sax will present musical favorites including, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "Sophisticated Swing, "In the Mood," "It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing," "Satin Doll," "String Of Pearls", and many more for your dancing and listening pleasure.

Kicking off the dancing will be the ASMSA Swing Dancers as Joy of Jazz welcomes them to the floor to perform their amazingly energetic swing number to "In the Mood."

Craig Wilson is an engaging vocalist who performed for the Holland America Cruise Lines for several years before returning to Little Rock, where he is involved with the Repertory Theater. He recently sang at a HSJS Quapaw Jazz Night to a packed house of adoring fans. Craig will perform solo and also some duets with Shirley Chauvin.

Chauvin's name is synonomous with jazz, with a lifetime of experience of singing with big bands and her own group, S'Wonderful. After moving here from Dallas, Shirley helped start the Hot Springs Jazz Society and is now serving as president of the organization. As an added treat, Shirley will be joined by her daughter, Janiece Buck, a vocalist from Alaska, at the microphone.

"We are especially excited about this musical program as it is loaded with great songs and dance music thoughtfully selected and arranged by our musical master, Clyde Pound, and performed by outstanding talent. That, the ambiance we create and unique silent auction made and has kept this event an annual favorite. It is a fun evening and the price is more than fair for the quality of entertainment," says Ellen Walker, event originator and coordinator.

What to wear? "The dress is black tie optional and period dress would just be 'swell.' We will have at least one male guest that we know of who has preserved and will wear his WWII dress uniform. We hope that those who did not grow up to this music will come and embrace the beat of the era. It is an opportunity to experience the sounds and feel of a 1940's night club and pretend, for an evening, that you were there. I expect to see some lines drawn down the backs of the ladies legs, as was done with the inavailability of silk stockings," Walker adds.

This fun event has sold out each year and early reservations are recommended. Reservations for full tables of ten ($400) will be given priority consideration; individual reservations are $40. Cash bars will be available. Please call Gretchen Taylor, 767-0211,for information/reservations by September 7. Checks may be mailed to Hot Springs Jazz Society at P.O. Box 22662, Hot Springs, AR 71903.

There will be no food service, but the Arlington Dining Room will be offering a special menu for Club Ellington guests. Call the Arlington,623-7771,for info/reservations.