Jazz Tuesdays
On Tuesday, March 23 at 7:00 p.m. the MPL Core Jazz Band will hold its third concert of 2010 at the Massillon Senior Center, 39 Lincoln Way West. This popular concert series, sponsored by the Massillon Public Library, is free and open to the public and will be held on the fourth Tuesday of each month, from January through October 2010.
The band consists of outstanding musicians gathered together by Library Board member James Chatterton, who plays drums with a similar band in Stow. Most of the musicians have years of experience playing traditional and swing music. The MPL Core Jazz Band’s leader and trumpet player is local optometrist, Tom Altland, who also plays with The Tired Tigers and the Clinton Community Band. Trombonist Dave Bair, from New Philadelphia, plays gigs around the area and is a regular in several community bands. Gary Krogh plays clarinet and entertains with small swing groups and at many retirement homes. Jim Drain, with extensive experience in local blues, rock and country bands, is the group's pianist. Ron Benach, a former school band director and accomplished musician, usually plays banjo, but also joins in on bass and guitar from time to time. George Dean, local music teacher and martial arts instructor, is the group's guitarist. Former teacher, Eileen Freaze, sings vocals and plays the ukulele. She has her own band and participates in many jam sessions and entertains at retirement homes. The bass guitarist is Paul Matson, an alumnus of the Massillon Tiger Swing Band.
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts, or so the saying goes. However, there are benefits to hearing each part separately. During the concerts, each member of the MPL Core Jazz Band gives a small solo performance showcasing his or her contribution to the band. Amid this group of seasoned jazz players, there is a young fiddle player, Joe Lautzenheiser. Despite the significant gap in age, this new up-and-comer consistently displays the confidence of a musician well on his way to artistic achievement, handling his instrument with exceptional calm, yet punctuating his music with the characteristic fervor of Dixieland Jazz.
"I had noticed a poster about the jazz jam displayed at the Massillon Public Library, and my mom suggested that we go down and check it out, even though I knew nothing about jazz music,” recalls Joe Lautzenheiser. “I remember the night that we attended the first jam session—it was during a terrible snowstorm in January and we almost turned around and headed home. As I sat in the audience with my fiddle in hand, Ron Benach (the banjo player), came up to me and introduced himself, obviously aware of my interest in the music. He invited me to come to the coffee house where he and Gary Garber played guitar weekly and learn music theory from him, which is the basis for learning how to improvise.” Joe continues, “He encouraged me to keep coming and to learn the songs they regularly played. The rest is history. I've continued to play with the MPL Core Jazz Band ever since. I was warmly received by all the guys and gals in the band and I love the energy we create when we play. What we have going on in Massillon on Jazz Tuesdays is the best kept secret in town! We have a very talented group of musicians who travel from all around to take part in these events. I applaud the efforts of Camille Leslie and everyone responsible for this venue."
The concert kicks off at 7:00 p.m. at the Massillon Senior Center, 39 Lincoln Way West, on Tuesday, February 23. Beginning at 7:00 p.m. there will be a concert of traditional Dixieland Jazz featuring trumpet, clarinet, trombone, fiddle, drums, bass, piano, ukulele, banjo and a vocalist. The second half of the program, from 8:15 to 8:45, will be open to musicians, young and old, who want to jam with the band. Two-hour free parking is available to the public in the parking deck behind the Senior Center building as well as on the street parking. Handicap parking is also available in the area surrounding the building. Patrons may enter the rear of the building from the parking deck. The Friends of the Massillon Public Library will provide free refreshments. For more information call the library 330.832.9831 ext. 311.
