Sunday, April 17, 2005 The Town Talk, Alexandria, LA

Music jazzes up riverside
By Eugene Sutherland
esutherland@thetowntalk.com
(318) 487-6380

TTheir faces reflecting the businesslike approach suggested by the black suits, necktie and bowties they wore, the young musicians held their instruments aloft.

Walking single-file down the Levee Park Amphitheater steps Saturday, they greeted the crowd of 400 with a mellowed version of the kinetic, New Orleans brass band staple "Do What You Wanna."

Suddenly, the natural energy of the tune fused with that of the players. Dipping up, then down, arms extended as if part of some spirited church revival, the Bontempian Big Band sped up the pace, enlivening and captivating the crowd.

The riverside was alive with jazz.

"This is Alexandria at its best," said Richard Franklin, 47, of Alexandria. "These kids are talented, so we get to showcase our children. This is nice, you know? Coming out, listening to some good jazz with your family."

The 10th annual Jazz on the River provided Franklin, who dabbles with the saxophone, his wife, Lynn, and other visitors with what they had come for: a relaxing, family-friendly sampling of authentic jazz.

The serene setting of the Red River and crisp weather punctuated an evening as pleasing as the aroma of boiled crawfish enveloping the stage.

And there was history: Cincinnati singer Kathy Wade became the first female to headline the concert.

Wade channeled Sara Vaughn with her vocal stylings, lively stage presence and unforced crowd rapport. She was impressed with the crowd's understanding of the music and the setting.

"They are just great," Wade said. "And I am such a promoter of women in jazz, and to do it (in Louisiana) is great. Being the first woman to headline is an honor."

Wade said she'd first become interested in visiting Alexandria after receiving an e-mail from her cousin, renowned composer T.J. Anderson. He had just spoken at the annual Arna Bontemps Symposium here.

"He said, 'You've gotta get to those people in Alexandria!'," Wade said.

It was "those people" who appreciated the hip flow of the concert. A smooth performance by the Leo Cole Jazz Ensemble combined with the Bontempian Big Band and Wade and the Khalid Moss Quartet seemed to leave everyone satisfied.

The "explosion" of jazz that Gwen Elmore, Arna Bontemps Museum president and executive director, promised was realized.

"This is our fourth year, and it is great," audience member Lynn Franklin said. "And the weather is so nice. Last year, it had to be inside because of the rain. This year, everything is nice. You can tell the word is getting out."

Jazz on the River is a free outdoor community jazz concert sponsored by the Arna Bontemps Foundation. The concerts are intended to provide audiences outside of New Orleans and the "Jazz Corridor" a chance to experience live jazz and to cultivate more venues for the performance of jazz in Central Louisiana.

The concerts have showcased the talents of such artists as Ellis Marsalis, the Ed Perkins Quintet, the Quamon Fowler Quintet featuring Grammy nominee Maurice Brown, Kent Jordan and Grammy winner Nicholas Payton.

From the sounds of it, some local youths could be making an impression in the world of jazz.

Bontempian Big Band members Garth Likens and Britney Ashley, both 16-year-old Bolton High School students, waxed glowingly on performing before their "biggest ever" crowd.

"I was a little nervous at first, but once the crowd got into it, it was good from there," Garth said. "To have it be your own, people from here, makes it even more special. It's a good time."

Britney was inspired by Wade becoming the concert's first female headliner. She's the lone female of the band's 12 members.

"It was really fun," Britney said. "Being in front of all these people that you know was exciting. I'm definitely going to do this next year!"