Page 6--Thursday, September 28, 1978-The Michigan Daily A weekend jazz oasis. Ellington is forever U BY R. J. SMITH Introducing a piece by Charles Mingus which Eclipse Jazz, the student-run jazz promoters, had com- missioned, Mercer Ellington told the Hill Auditorium crowd, "I don't know the symbolism of Eclipse, but rather than covering something up, it sheds a tremendous amount of light." Long before last weekend's jazz festival was over, I think a lot of people had the same idea. Consider the logistics of the thing. Between Thursday and Sunday ap- proximately 100 of the top jazz musicians in the world were in town, playing collectively for over 30 hours. There were premieres and workshops, and there were the performances themselves: Dexter Gordon and John- ny Griffin engaged in a hard-bopping cutting match, Mercer Ellington showing Ann Arbor his loving brand of the, Ellington charisma, Sun Ra rocketing into the unknown. TO SAY THE least, the festival was an audacious congregation of in- strumentalists. An examination of one instrument, say the tenor saxophone, exhibits the range of playing presen- ted: from the traditional of Gordon and Griffin to the forefront of modern jazz, represented by Chico Freeman and Sun b D Ra's sax men, the sweep of post-war improvisitory approaches was represented even-handedly. There is also much good to be said about the bookings of musicians in ac- cord with the Ellington theme of the festival. There were big bands, an arranger of Ellingotn's, an admirer A 13)1a SPECIAL ATTRACTION Ter The ther Half by Elinor Jones directed by Amy Saltz The words of the world's greatest female writers come to life in this new play with music by KATHRIN KING SEGAL, Using journals, speeches, letters, poems, and songs, the play illuminates the lives of over twenty women writers, from 600 B.C. to the present and including the works of VIRGINIA WOOLF, JANE AUSTEN, MARY SHELLEY, EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY, the BRONTE SISTERS, JOAN DIDION, and LILLIAN HELLMAN.' It is a tribute to the spirit, dedication, and creativity of all womanhood. 8p.m. Tuesday, October 3+ TRUEBLOOD THEATRE Tickets Available at the P T P Ticket Office Michigan League, 764-0450 and also at the door. who has dedicated several albums to the Duke's music, singer who has been performing Ellington songs for, decades, and musicians who have played with Ellington at different periods over many decades. And most importantly, there was the Ellington orchestra itself. Far from being an anachronism, it won over the audience on its own merits, breathing renewed spirit into songs and arrangements which will never die. With any festival there are a few bad pennies that invariably turn up, and this also was the case with the Ann Ar- bor Jazz Festival 1978. Along with unin- teresting performances delivered from the so-called "cross-over" performers, there were also poor sets by Stan Getz and Mose Allison. BUT IF THE Tigers were batting the average that this festival achieved, they'd be in first place. Much credit should be given to the people at Eclipse, for the shows all ran smoothly, with rarely a slip-up in anything from ushering to sound and lighting. The only major problem of the festival, in fact, had nothing to do with Eclipse: Sun Ra, preparing to play for about three hours, helda lengthy afternoon practice that delayed the start of Saturday night's show. Important seeds have been sown in the Ann Arbor community, seeds which help assure the growth of a vital jazz following. To be sure, this following contains a certain amount of elitist trend followers lapping it all ujp to show they know what's going on. SNOOTY EGGHEADS notwithstan- ding, the city seems to be building into a special place for jazz events. And with concerned people, be it buying records or working for a radio station, reasons for optimism are flourishing. This may prove to be a really exciting time for jazz supporters - already Ann Arbor has garnered an enviable reputation for sustaining and appreciating the music. Eclipse spokespersons are reluctant to talk of plans for next year, saying they are "still recuperating" from this year's festival. Plans for next year's event will not be discussed until January - the word on whether this year's festival was a financial success or failure has not even been registered yet. So long, Ann Arbor Jazz Festival 1978. Come back next year. By R.J. SMITH As if the presence of some of the most noteworthy musicians in jazz at the Ann Arbor Jazz Festival were not reason' enough for celebration, there is the life and music of a man involved here, a man whom many would label America's greatest composer. Edward Kennedy Ellington rarely led the standard jazzman's life. Son of a Washington D.C. butler, he was born in- to a family that was always modestly well-to-do. From an early age he studied music at school and privately; however, it was the education he received in local burlesque shows, poolrooms, and similar dives that proved most valuable. He turned down a scholarship in favor of playing gigs with diverse com- bos, and by 1918, when he began to establish a name for himself as a dance musician, a brilliant career had begun. In the futute, of course, Ellington showed us that he was much, much more besides a dance band leader. In his 74 years he composed ap- proximately 3000 works, including songs, suites, tone poems, symphonies, sacred work, film and TV show scores, a ballet and lots more. ALTHOUGH he was labelled a "popular" artist in the worst sense of the word by high-brows (it has been said that the 1965 Pulitzer Prize Com- mittee voted not to give any award for music that year, rather than give it to the Duke..In protest, two committee members resigned), his works touched as many people as any American com- poser has. "There has never been a serious musician who is as serious about his music as a ,serious jazz musian," he said, and it was always bor out in both his writing and his carel selec- tion of musicians for his orchetra. The ; Duke Ellington Orchestra always boasted brilliant soloists, and te Duke demanded a fierce loyalty to thimusic. He was also very sensitive to the styles of his musicians - for -hen one would leave the band, it would iten en- tail rewriting whole arrangemnts for the new voice replacing the old ne. It would be easier to say wat ac- colades he has not received. t least three nations have issued stamp in his honor. He was awarded the Pesiden- tial Gold Medal and the Preident's Medal of Freedom, the latter (which is the highest award a civilin can receive in the United States. In a poem titled "What Is lusic?" from his wonderful autobiqraphy Music Is My Mistress, Ellingtoiwrote: What is music to you? What would you be without musii... A baby is born, and music put him to sleep. he can't read, he can't understan a picture, But he will listen to music... Music is a cedar, An evergreen tree of fragrant, dtable wood. Music is like honor and pride, Free from defect, damage, or deay. Without music I may feel blind,, incomplete, inexistent, atropied. As always, Ellington said thenost in the least space. The Duke is %at last weekend's festival was all about Ue Chamber Orchestra Society gives classics an intimate touch v By BILL BARBOUR Picture this scene: you are sitting at a small dining table, well-adorned with many sumptuous desserts, with a few close friends. The room around you is elegant, decorated with long flowery curtains, aged-wood paneling, and three classically beautiful chandeliers. Suddenly, a small orchestra of about 16 players enters from your left. They seat themselves quietly and begin to play a Haydn symphony. Are you at Esterhazy, in the late eighteenth century, listening to the prince's court orchestra? No. You're in the Vandenburg Room of the Michigan League listening to The Ann Arbor Chamber Orchestra Society, the city's first professional chamber orchestra. THE ORCHESTRA, composed mostly of recent University graduates, begins its first full season September 30th at 8:30 p.m. in the Vandenburg Room. "The room is small and intimate," says F. Carl Daehler,,the conductor of the group, "We have a limit of 100 people for each concert, Also, the proximity of the musicians with the audience is very close." Daehler has taken other, more un- conventional steps toward bringing his music closer to the audience. "I try to meet all of the audience before each concert," he explains. "The musicians mingle with the audience before and af- ter the concert. The people usually feel they know everyone." TH E ORCHESTRA was formed for two reasons. "The first one was the musicians in town," says Daehler, who studied for two years in Vienna before coming to Ann Arbor to lead the or- and a setting like this, which isn't been done." The musicians seem to enjoy pifor- ming for the small audiences thean- denburg Room can accommodati "I think it's a fantastic idea," notes Gagg Powell, the group's double bassist"It develops a communication. We get feedback right away; we're awar of the person we're playing for. You an reach out and touch them." They also enjoy the -challengeof playing in a small group. "Thei's more exposure," says Nancy Waring flutist in the ensemble, "so, persona I enjoy that more because we feel t what we're doing is all that. more portant, and we work even harder t o a fine job." ~I chestra. " from U-M other area second on togethera in the Power Center SALLY ANN HOWES EARL LOIS WRIGHTSON & HUNT 3so starring TERRY SAUNDERS October 6-8 - " Ob to November 3-5 MEDIATRICS presents ENTER THE DR. (Robert Clouse, 1974) Enter the Dragon is Bruce Lee epic. Lee confronts the ruth less' up his scrupulous female slave trade. Sept. 28 Nat. Sci. Aud. The Ann Arbor fim Coop presents at Nat. Sci., Thursday How Tasty Was My Little (Nelson Pereira dos Santos, 1971) An amusing investigation into the morality and po 16th century Brazil concerns a French adventurer's sti and survive after he is captured by a cannibalistic In cating color photography and virtually an entire cc dialect with English subtitles. (Philip Kaufman, 1974) WH ITE DAW A sadly neglected film that never survived the barbar cursed it with on its initial release. Eskimos save who proceed to take advantage of the natives' hospi' ture until violence erupts. Shot entirely on location, acting by its mostly Eskimo cast. "Beautiful and fas -Judith Crist. TOMORROW: ROCKY The Ann Arbor Film Cooperative Is looking f ask for details at our showin Most of them have graduated UPON HEARING the orchesta and most of them play in rehearse, it's clear that they are 11 as or cities and so forth. The striving for one thing: to doia e is the uniqueness of putting a small orchestra with food AGON absolutely the finest Han in order to break 7, 8:45, 10:30 professional job. Daehltr keeps the at- mosphere relaxed, devting attention to musical elements vhich separate WOWatv good ensembles from average ones. He y, Sept. 28 shows none of the negtivistic jibes common among well-known French man professional conductors. The players, 7 &-10:20 Nat. Sci. none of whom is more han six feet litics of cannibalism in the away from him, call hin by his first ruggle to integrate himself name. dian tribe. Contains intoxi- 3st of nude actors. In Tupi In outlining the graip's goals, Daehler adds, "We're ot trying to present new music to thi audiences. N 8:40 only NAT. SCI. We're, trying to give then something ous distribution Paramount that they might already knw. That's a three shipwrecked sailors little different from the orchestras' tality and poison their cul- the film boasts beautiful today; they're trying to eve people scinating adventure film." something they haven't head before." Tickets for the orchestras Septem- ber 30th concert may be puchased by or new members. phone (996-0066) or by writg to The g Chamber Orchestra Societyat 903 E. Huron. ADVERTIEMENT oprietor of Sagebruh grand opening date ney to the California Terri- for gals. Levi's jeans for guys.evi's was there I went to seek my jackets, Levi's belts and Levi's'ana- in gold and it was there I tela" coordinated sportswear Said to meet Mr. Levi Strauss." Groggs, "There are no better cbthes ugh Groggs, sometimes than those of Levi Strauss." as Sagebrush Zeb, was un- According to Groggs; Sagerush ind a "fortune in gold," he will be open Mondays througi Sat- nv.IaarjIthe m~.avc'to "n cafe Ii t ira x r, if'an m ta, 0 n mnil HEMION GINGLDI gW SIDEn 1 t ti- AQrboi~t ce&4w 57-year-oldpr sets October 5 itwusical zntert* innent MUSIC & LYRICS BY ST EPHEb SONDHEIM February 2-4 ~' ~1 VINNTTCARR0L5 TOO SHORTm10BOX WIllH i'nn Zebediah E. Groggs, also k:yknown as the jour tory. Itu fortunei chanced Altho known a able to f hak dA ize-c i.. m.