Sep 18, 2005 4 min read

By the Herald-Standard Many people think of jazz as one style of music. But any jazz lover will you that there are many different styles of jazz. Some that to come immediately are Ragtime, Dixieland, Tin Pan Alley, Boogie Woogie, Swing, Big Band, BeBop, West Coast, Free Jazz, Fusion, Bossa Nova, Soul.

In fact, jazz has something for just about everyone.

And with that in mind, the Herald-Standard Jazz Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Woodland Zoo’s Herald-Standard Pavilion, will offer a wide variety of musicians and styles.

“We wanted to try and appeal to everyone,’ said Herald-Standard Executive Editor Mark O’Keefe, the organizer of the festival. “We feel that this is an all-star lineup that offers a lot of different types of jazz.

“We’re very pleased that we were able to get so many great musicians, and we’re certain that those attending the festival will have a great time,’ added O’Keefe.

The festival will feature six bands, with Five Guys Named Moe, performing first at 1 a.m. Connellsville’s legendary trombone player Harold Betters will close things out with his 8 p.m. performance.

Val Laub, publisher of the Herald-Standard, is also using this event as a way to allow area residents to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The newspaper will use these profits to assist Bartalotta’s Giant Eagle supermarket and Blaney Farms in sending much needed food and supplies to the areas stricken by the hurricane.

“Most people agree that jazz began in New Orleans. It just seems so appropriate that we can use this medium of jazz music to generate much needed assistance to that area where it all began. It really speaks of doing things in the American way. I hope a lot of our communities respond to this effort,’ said Laub.

Laub noted that Fayette County FACT buses will be providing transportation on their regular schedule to the Herald- Pavilion from the sowntown Uniontown hub. The trip will go directly into the Pavilion on each trip that day for those who need transportation to the pavilion.

Laub added that in the event of heavy rains, the festival will be moved to the State Theatre for the Arts in Uniontown. The decision will be made at 5 p.m. on Friday and if the show is moved, an announcement will be printed on the front page of Saturday’s Herald-Standard.

Here’s the schedule of performances for the festival:

From 1:00 to 2:10 PM – Five Guys Named Moe, featuring Jimmy Sapienza. This is a Pittsburgh based club band, led by Jimmy Sapienza, that plays everything from swing to pop and rock to blues.

From 2:20 to 3:50 PM – The Kenny Blake Quartet with Maria Sargent. Blake is an internationally acclaimed saxophonist that has been performing for more than 30 years. His smooth saxophone has thrilled audiences around the world, yet he maintains his roots in Pittsburgh. Blake has five CD’s to his credit in a wide range of styles. He will be joined by the talented Maria Sargent.

From 4:00 to 5:10 PM – The Bobby Reed Jazz Quartet featuring Susan Lee. Bobby Reed is one of the area’s most popular musicians. While he can play anything from rock to pop, he has a special love for jazz and promises to make this a memorable show.

From 5:20 to 6:30 PM – The world-renowned jazz drummer Roger Humphries. Humphries is rated by music critics as one of the most exciting percussionists in the business. He has provided the rhythmic beat for greats such as Ray Charles, Horace Silver and James Moody. He played on flutist Herbie Mann’s last CD “Brooklyn Bridge’ last year. Mann died shortly after the CD was recorded.

From 6:40 to 7:50 PM – The Latin Jazz Quintet ‘Salsamba. With much of their music written and arranged by guitarist Eric Susoeff, this part of the festival promises to be very exciting. Salsamba bakes the audience with a recipe of that blends the traditions of American Jazz with the spicy rhythms of Cuba, Brazil and the Caribbean. They have performed at festivals throughout the United States including New York, Baltimore, New Jersey, Conneticut, Arkansas and West Virginia.

From 8:00 PM to Closing -Harold Betters. He has performed with many of the absolute greats in jazz music such as Louis Armstrong, Al Hirt, Slide Hampton, Ramsey Lewis and Urbie Green. He could have played anywhere but choose to live in his hometown of Connellsville and play in Pittsburgh. He played for many years at the city’s Encore lounge. Now 77, he is affectionately known as “Mr. Trombone” to his fans here and across the country.

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