Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee, May 16th – 18th, in Fox Lake, WI, honors the great Bunny Berigan for the 40th year. Since 1974, Fox Lake – hometown of Bunny Berigan – has honored one of the most prominent and charismatic trumpeters of all time with an annual Jazz Jubilee. The live music festival features Jazz, Swing and Dixieland entertainment at venues throughout the quaint city of Fox Lake, including the local drive-in/car-hop stand, American Legion Hall, The Community Center, and a service at Bunny’s gravesite.
Along with the happiest music in the world that developed in this United States everyone attending the Jazz Jubilee will have a chance to see demonstrations and hear speakers. Demos and talks such as:
- Have you ever seen a 78 record made? Not many can say they have, but if a person has listened to Jazz for years they have certainly put a 78 on a turntable. Steve Salaba is coming to Fox Lake and will be cutting a 78 demo right before your very ears – live! And he will play it back right after! Plus he will show a selection of some other 78s he has cut. He will be showing the custom labels and sleeves he has made. You will be able to see what recording was like before the advent of magnetic tape and digital CDs. You will hear a little about the history of recording while watching a little history made.
- Kurt Dietrich, Professor of Music and Barbara Baldwin DeFrees Chair in Performing Arts at Ripon College will be presenting a program on the history of Jazz in Wisconsin featuring Wisconsin musicians. His lecture will include information on “Bunny” and other greats of Wisconsin. Currently Kurt is writing a book on Wisconsin Jazz Stories, past and present. He has interviewed over 50 people and says that “the book is turning into a fascinating document about people in jazz.
- Steve Lilley, Cornet artist and featured Guest Artist at the Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee, will be giving a talk on one of his favorite musicians, “Bunny” Berigan. Steve is a retired history teacher and leader of two bands in the St. Louis area. Steve has commented that he just loves “Bunny” Berigan and has studied his technique for years. Steve is looking forward to being able to share his knowledge of “Bunny” with an audience that honors “Bunny”.
- Meet and greet the famous Bob Schulz who is leader of the Bob Schulz All-Star Band playing at the Jazz Jubilee. Dick Rippey, owner of Triangle Jazz is writing a biography of Bob and both Dick and Bob will be on hand to talk about the new book. See the interaction between the biographer and the person being written about, truly an unforgettable experience. This book is a story of the life of a great person and wonderful musician. Bob Schulz, who grew up in Wonewoc, WI., attended UW LaCrosse, taught music for years, and played with the Riverboat Ramblers while on active duty at Ft. Lewis, WA., He has played in top flight bands and even played at Carnegie Hall.
Other highlights of the weekend will be:
- The display and sale of specially handcrafted jewelry by Phyllis Ger of New York. Her father played with “Bunny” and the items she makes are spectacular.
- Grave-side service at 11:00 AM Sunday, May 18th, in the Annunciation/St Mary’s cemetery on Breezy Point Road will include the dedication of Joyce Berigan Hansen’s grave marker.
- At Mullin’s Drive-In on Friday, May 16th, there will be a demonstration of the old records and record players that entertained the public for years. It begins at 3 PM. Public is encouraged to bring a lawn chair.
- Saturday night, May 17th, there is a special FREE concert at the Fox Lake American Legion where Korbel California Champaign is presenting the Matt Miller Jazz Trio. Music from greats such as Frank Sinatra will be featured. The time is 9:30 to 12:00 Mid-night.
- A special silent auction of new musical instruments- Clarinet, Trumpet & Saxophone, will be held Saturday and Sunday to help re-establish the giving of the Bunny Berigan Scholarship in 2015.
- Triangle Jazz Store will be on site with over 10,000 CDs, DVDs and books. The Jazz Store is owned by Dick Rippey who travels from Kansas to be at the event. One need not pay admission to the event to visit the Triangle Jazz Store. Dick has had experience with Jazz, Jazz musicians and the people involved dating back to 1947 when his brother Bob began the history of Triangle Jazz.
- Ages 18 and under are invited to the Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee FREE of charge.
Come to the Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee and enjoy fantastic music, wonderful food on Sat. and Sun. prepared by Mr. Happy’s Chef of Milwaukee, demos & talks heard nowhere else. Tickets are available at the door, order from Julie Flemming at 920-928-6094 or with ticket order blank found on website at www.bunnyberiganjazzjubilee.com
