by Doug Tatum


2000-2001: A Grand Centennial Season

As you may already know, the 2000-2001 season will be the Centennial of the historic Folly Theater, which first opened its doors on September 23, 1900. On that date, patrons arrived by horse-drawn carriage to attend an opening night performance of the Jolly Grass Widow, which was described at the time as "polite burlesque." On that same night, there was a baby in New Orleans who was not yet six months old. The infant's name was Louis Armstrong. The popular music of the day included that of John Philip Sousa's band, and Scott Joplin and other ragtime greats were at their peak. We can only wonder about the blues of the day; the music we know today as jazz, of course, had not yet been "invented."
For me, one of the most fascinating things about jazz is how early in the 20th Century, this music first came together from a variety of elements, and then developed so quickly into such a sophisticated and mature art form. Because the history of the Folly Theater itself encompasses the entire time frame of this indigenous American music, it occurred to me that the historical perspective of the Folly's Centennial season presented a unique programming opportunity. Thus, the focus of the 2000-2001 Folly Jazz Series will be to trace the development of jazz decade by decade from its earliest beginnings at the turn of the century through its development into the modern era and up to the present.

The following is a breakdown of the thematic programming structure, listing artists/ensembles confirmed as of this writing.

Butch Thompson

September 30, 2000 -- "From Ragtime to Jelly Roll," featuring Butch Thompson and the New Orleans Jazz Originals. Highlighting the genius of Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton, Thomas "Fats" Waller, James P. Johnson and others, this concert will trace the earliest beginning of the music as an outgrowth of ragtime at the turn of the century and its evolution into the distinct new art form of jazz through the early 1920s. Butch Thompson is a wonderful pianist who specializes in the styles of the early piano masters. On public radio, Butch has been frequently featured on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion."

October 14, 2000 -- "The Roaring Twenties & the Hot Jazz Sound of Chicago," featuring Vince Giordano and the Nighthawk Orchestra. This concert will highlight the earliest large ensemble arrangements in jazz. The New York-based Nighthawk Orchestra is absolutely the best group I have ever heard in recreating the authentic "hot jazz" sound of Chicago. When he's not playing bass saxophone, tuba or string bass, or busy transcribing arrangements, Vince Giordano works for BMG Records in New York, where he spends his time working as a researcher exploring the vast musical archives of the former RCA Victor label.

November 4, 2000 -- "The Swing Era, Kansas City Style!" featuring Kansas City legend Jay McShann. The sounds of the swing era will come alive to the sound of veteran Kansas City jazz pianist/bandleader Jay McShann. Jay McShann is Kansas City Jazz!

December, 2000 -- "The Bebop Revolution/Homage to Charlie Parker." In observance of Charlie Parker's 80th birthday, this concert will pay homage to one of the undisputed geniuses of 20th Century music.

"The Post-Bop Sound of the Fifties & Sixties," (January 2001); and "Into The Modern Era," (February 2001). Representing the various styles and developments of the sixties through the seventies, these two concerts will pay homage to the jazz masters that led the way to jazz's continued development.

The balance of the season will represent the contemporary jazz scene and touch upon future directions of jazz in the 21st Century. I am awaiting confirmations of several engagements, so, watch for full details in the near future.

In keeping with the tradition established by the late Dick Wright, the Folly's "JazzTalk" discussions will precede each concert at 7:00 p.m. I am compelled to state one more time how much I miss Dick. While this is a loss that the entire jazz community feels, for each one of us, it is a feeling of individual personal loss. What a great man and friend he was.

For more information about the Folly Jazz Series, or to be placed on our mailing list, please call the Folly Theater during regular business hours at 816-474-4444.

Doug Tatum is the Executive Director of the Folly Theater.

RETURN TO JUNE 2000 MAIN INDEX

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