Tallahassee Museum Presents The 20th Anniversary of the Jazz & Blues Festival
April 9-10, 2011
by Pedro Sempertegui
 | Tallahassee is steeped in history, tradition and nature. These three unique aspects come together at the Tallahassee Museum. Between the regular exhibits of historical buildings, nature trails and animals, the Museum is known for some of the best cultural events in the Big Bend. Two of the most popular have always been the Pioneer Breakfast and the Jazz & Blues Festival. On the weekend of April 9th, 2011, the Tallahassee Museum will be continuing these long lasting traditions. For the past 50 years, the Pioneer Breakfast has been one of Tallahassee's favorite fundraisers. | |
It's not hard to imagine why. Just think about a nice big plate full of freshly grilled sausages, scrambled eggs, golden fluffy pancakes, and some classic southern grits. Now wash it down with a cup of orange juice or hot coffee. If that wasn't reason enough to make an appearance, these four words might change your mind: ALL YOU CAN EAT. Starting at 7 in the morning, the Museum's Board of Trustees will be serving up this hearty breakfast at the Museum's Big Bend Farm, an 1880's historic farmstead. All of the proceeds go towards the Tallahassee Museum's education and conservation programs. With great food (and plenty of it) and old fashion scenery, this has the makings for a great way to spend a Saturday morning. Soon after the Pioneer Breakfast, the Jazz & Blues Festival kicks off at 11 am. For 20 years this festival has showcased some of Tallahassee's great musical acts. With 2,300 music fans making out to previous shows, this year the festival should be should be even more lively. Musician and producer Del Suggs has been working hard to put this event together every year since the beginning in 1991. When asked about why this festival came together 20 years ago he told Tallahassee Grapevine, "One of the prime reasons for this event was the real dearth of venues to hear jazz and blues. Tallahassee has always had great jazz, like Cannonball Adderly & Nat Adderly, and great blues, like Tallahassee Tight back in the 20s and 30s. But there was no place for families to hear the music. I just love to look out at the audience at the Jazz & Blues Festival and see all the kids there learning to love this music." When asked about the growth of the event through the past 20 years, Del Suggs responded, "It has grown tremendously! It began as a Saturday afternoon event, now it's two full days of great music." Del Suggs is a professional musician with local roots who founded and runs Saltwater Music, a company that reflects the musical character of this region. He was involved in the founding of the Jazz & Blues Festival. During which time, the festival strayed from pure blues or jazz and included other genres of music. About 10 years ago, he returned as music director after a hiatus and brought the soul of the festival back to its roots. "Now I think every act on the schedule is truly a jazz or blues act, and I'm proud of that." The 2011 Jazz & Blues Festival will be hosting a whopping 11 bands! The 2-day event explores the depths of blues and jazz by featuring live performances of traditional and contemporary jazz and blues bands, and other extensions of the genre such as Dixieland jazz, swing, fusion, and contemporary blues. This great mix of big bands and tight ensembles include The Swingin' Harpoon Blues Band, Bogazedi, Tallahassee Swing Band, Thursday Night Music Club, ACME Rhythm & Blues Band and Royal Garden Dixieland Band. One of the bands is The Zach Bartholomew Trio, a professional jazz band based out of Tallahassee. Grapevine had the chance to speak with Zach Bartholomew about his reasons for participating in the festival for the first time. | ||
 | "I feel it is important to get my band to participate in the Jazz & Blues Festival, in particular, because it is the only festival in Tallahassee which promotes jazz music. Being a professional jazz musician and being part of a professional jazz trio, I feel an obligation and a strong desire to take part in this festival...to become as involved with the jazz community as I can. This is a great event to do just that." |
We had a chance to speak with Marguerite Martin, the Public Relations & Marketing Manager for the Tallahassee Museum. She is very excited about seeing the Zach Bartholomew Trio perform. (They take the stage on Saturday at 3pm, followed by the Tallahassee Swing Band.) "During the Jazz & Blues Festival there will be a lot going on," Marguerite told The Grapevine. "All the current attractions at the museum will be open, so the kids and parents can still enjoy the animal and nature exhibits." Along with that, on the 2nd day of the event (Sunday, April 10th), The Southeastern Community Blood Center will be holding a blood drive from noon until 4pm. Noting people's uneasiness about giving blood, Marguerite said, "All those who donate will recieve a free Jazz & Blues t-shirt. Each donation saves up to three lives." With the hearty Pioneer Breakfast, an exciting live jazz and blues line up, and beautiful scenery, the weekend of the 20th Annual Jazz & Blues Festival should be a grand ol' time. PRICING: The Jazz & Blues Festival is Free for Museum Members and Season Pass Holders. For nonmembers it is $9 for adults and $6 for children. The All You Can Eat Pioneer Breakfast is $7 for adults and $5 for children. There is also a combo ticket for Saturday that will include the Pioneer Breakfast and the opening day of the festival that runs $12 for adults and $10 for children. Tallahassee Events Calendar: http://www.tallahasseegrapevine.com/event/calendar/ http://www.tallahasseegrapevine.com/ | |
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