2019 Jubilee Special Set Themes

The Special Sets at The Jubilee By the Sea are a differentiating factor at our festival. This year we feature bands from New Orleans, NYC, New Jersey, Australia, as well as top California groups and our favorite local acts: All playing traditional jazz in their own unique way. We take great care in organizing new themes each year, encouraging our musicians to play & develop dedicated sets. This year we have more than ever, over 40 special sets in all...a new record. Our past Jubilee President George Smith has a knack of sticking random musicians together to produce a surprisingly impactful act (George’s All-Stars was said to be top act last year): Granted, we may have gone overboard this year, but we say “In George We Trust.” The below guide can help you sort out all of these hour-long special events. There should be something for everyone here, choose your flavor (# of sets in theme). 

• New Orleans Music Theme (6): This year we shipped in three bands directly from New Orleans: (The Legendary) Tuba Skinny, Larry Scala & Friends (a Jubilee favorite for those in the know), & the ground-breaking Shake Em Up Jazz Band. Authentic sets by those in the know...one might say that they “know orleans.” Other sets dedicated to New Orleans music by Creole Syncopators & Friends, Blue Street, & a special Mardi Gras set by Sue Palmer’s Motel Swing Band. Friday night in Pismo will feel like Nola.
• Louisiana Music Theme (4): Of course, traditional jazz is not only in Nola, but in the neighboring outskirts as well...with a distinctly zydeco feel. The sound will be more upbeat and danceable, you will hear more accordion. Four special sets display Louisiana Music: Gator Nation, Sue Palmer’s Motel Swing Band, Shake Em Up Jazz Band, & Tom Rigney & Flambeau. Rigney, the son of former MLB Manager Bill Rigney, also has a solo tribute set below, where he relates his improbable ascension into the world of jazz. 

• Tribute Sets (9): This year we have more tributes than ever, most of them brand new. Our overall theme seems to be clarinetists & crooners, but there should be a specialty act for everyone: Benny Goodman (Midiri Brothers), Louis Armstrong (Pat Yankee & Jeff Barhart), Fats Waller (Jeff Barnhart), Artie Shaw (Midiri Brothers), Pete Fountain (Bob Draga), Bobby Darin (Professor Cunningham),Count Basie (Prof. Cunningham & His Old School), Nothing But the Blues Special (Cornet Chop Suey) & How Did I Get Here? (Tom Rigney).

• Dance Events (5): This year’s Jubilee theme is “Salute to the Nineties,” where we proudly honor all nonagenarians as The Greatest Generation. Among those proudly displaying their “90s” buttons will be our own (spry) Hugh Robinson, Night Blooming Jazzmen leader Chet Jaeger, & Ex-Turk Murphy Band lead vocalist, Pat Yankee. This signature event recreates the Big Band Era dance craze circa WWII. The longstanding local jazz traditions of Cuesta College (Jazz Band A & the closely-related Starlight Dream Band) & Cal Poly SLO (Cal Poly Jazz Band) will make you feel that these are professional bands, which they are for the Jubilee by seemingly attracting their best members. Great Big Band music. Bring your dancing shoes! Swing Dance Lessons (2 times) are provided free with your festival badge: A nice bonus for those who want to learn or practice their steps. These events filled up quickly last year, so show up early!

• Women in Jazz Theme (4): This year’s jubilee has 22% women in our acts, including two full bands. As before, we dedicated a block of acts to women at the AG Women’s Club (Named Pat’s Place, after trad jazz diva Pat Yankee). If you have a daughter interested in jazz music, this would be a good place to go, a small atmosphere to talk face-to-face to those who have been there: Women Composers (Shake Em Up Jazz Band), Women in the Blues (Creole Syncopators), Swing It, Sistas (Sue Palmer and Her Motel Swing Band), & Tribute To Louis Armstrong (Pat Yankee & Her All-Stars).

• Gospel Sets (5): Hallelujah Jubilee! Always popular, these spirituals are guaranteed lift you up, like in the South. Creole Syncopators’ Valerie Johnson does a great singing sermon: Not a dry eye in the crowd. The Night Blooming Jazzmen’s Hymn-Along is world famous. Expect to find your own brand of musical religion from Ivory & Gold (piano & flute); Blue Street (brass); & The Midiri Brothers (clarinet & vibes). 

• Nightclub Acts (5): Recreate the jazz nightclub on the Central Coast. Last year’s party at The Edgewater was the surprise hit of the festival: Standing room only. Stellar music in a friendly setting, overlooking the ocean: Blue Street, Larry Scala, Dawn Lambeth, & Friends, Ivory and Gold, Creole Syncopators & Carl Sonny Leyland, & Pat Yankee & Friends. This is The cool spot to be.
• Instrument-Themed Sets (2): Some of us like certain instruments, such as longtime Jubilee Site Captain, Gail Lightfoot, a big clarinet fan. Here are two sets for such instrumental fans, because we feel they are instrumental to our festival (& we’ll make sure to cover for Gail on this first one): (1) Three Clarinets (Joe Midiri, Draga, Cunningham); (2) Three Guitars (Scala, Pat Mercury, John Merrill). If acoustic guitars are your thing, Larry will show you the way, along with his talented buddies. Expect lots of harmony here...both in the music & in the room. 

• Jazz Seminars (3): We chose to continue our educational theme that began last year, back due to popular demand: Local Teaching Legend Les Rose continues his popular master class jazz improvisation seminars (2 times, free to the public...kids especially welcome!): Time is of the Essence. Jazz Scholar Dean Krikorian gives a spirited presentation on his recent discovery of public domain jazz sheet music & how you can get it for free. 
• Jazz Jams (4): Hosted by Jammer extraordinaire, Dick Williams (a miracle he’s here), this is a fun time to hone your skills. Kids are especially welcome. You’ll be surprised at the quality of these Jubilee Jams.

• International Sets (5): This year we also proudly introduce The Australian Jazz Connection to the US, they will knock your socks off, this Aussie “Dream Team.” We introduce them to America on Friday at 12:40pm in the Addie Street tent. You will want to be there for this historic event. They are also uniquely paired with NYC’s Best Alto Sax (& Fellow Aussie) Professor Adrian Cunningham. Reunited, like mama kangaroo and joey, they curiously explore Jazzy Aussie Tunes (something like Washboard Matilda?). This will surely be new & refreshing. AJC Trombonist/Leader Paul Ingle’s predicted headline: Aussies Make Big Jazz Splash in Pismo Beach. Mariachi Autlience (2 sets) is always a jubilee favorite. Mariachi is kinda jazzy...if you listen closely. These kids (from Lompoc and Santa Maria, CA) are really talented. 
• Boogie Woogie (2): There is even a slice of boogie woogie, if you so desire. Sue Palmer and Her Motel Swing Band have a set dedicated to boogie woogie. Another way to boogie woogie is to hear any of local celebrity Carl Sonny Leyland’s six sets (with the Creole Syncopators), because he’s in the Boogie Woogie Hall of Fame (no lie!). 
• All-Star Teams (2): Finally, Jubilee-goers should be aware of the two all-star acts formed for this year’s Jubilee: George’s All-Stars, featuring Scala, Draga, Coots, Haruka Kikuchi, Schulz, Cunningham, & local stride piano phenom, Jason Wanner. Another sneakily good all-star event will be Pat Yankee’s Pajama Party (pjs optional) featuring Coots, Schulz, & Draga. Expect a plethora of audience-groaning jokes from this motley crew...but in the end their music will carry the night.