Skip to content

Down numbers did not put a damper on Jazz at the Lake

The jazz festival returned Aug. 17-20 after a two year mini-hiatus
8209733_web1_IMG_2448
Jack Semple showed of his impressive skills on the guitar and his voice performing both guitar solos and scat solos.

The numbers may have been down, but that did not stop the music during the Jazz at the Lake Festival.

According to Eric Allison, one of the event organizers and founders, said there was nothing but positive feedback about this year’s festival.

The only downside to the revival of the festival this year was the numbers were down.

According to Allison the number of tickets sold were down from both what they had expected and years past.

“We still had full events, so I’m not upset about the numbers at all. Just something of note,” said Allison.

When asked why he believed the numbers were down, Allison admitted to to knowing.

He said it could have been a number of factors including a still less-then-stellar economy or attendees no longer being “in the swing of things.”

“Maybe because we have had the concert series for the past couple of years our audience is just out of the groove,” he suggested.

Despite the smaller audience then expected, Allison said there were many upsides to the weekend.

One upside Allison was very happy about the the turnout for one of the free events.

The Jazz in the Park event, which took place at Lions Legacy Park on Aug. 19, had a great number of people out to enjoy three great bands; H.O.T Dixieland Jazz Band, Jazz Explosion and the Red Deer College Big Band.

“I think we had more people come out for Jazz at the Park then we have before,” Allison said.

Another highlight of the festival is what was meant to be an hour-long brass clinic with trumpet player, and festival headliner, Jon Faddis.

By the time the clinic was over, Faddis had spent nearly two-and-a-half hours listening to each trumpet and brass player in the room.

“Jon wouldn’t leave until he listened to and critiqued every player that came out. It was absolutely amazing,” said Allison.

Allison also pinpointed the final event of the festival, the Pubs and Clubs event, and a particular highlight.

Specifically, Allison pointed out the show at Fireside Restaurant &Lounge where the band The Polyjesters were playing.

He said the crowd was loud and energetic as they listened to the band out of Calgary.

“When I got there they were yelling and cheering after each song. It was great to see and really entertaining,” said Allison.

A personal highlight for Allison was being asked to play a couple songs on stage with Faddis during the Friday night concert.

He says the experience was completely unplanned, but was wonderful.

“That was an absolutely amazing experience, really it was just great,” Allison said.

Overall, Allison says the weekend-long festival went very well.

He called the experience exhilarating.

“I think it went very well considering we were a little out of practise,” he said.

No the festival is done he will be meeting with the other organizers to discuss the weekend overall.

In doing so, the organizers will discuss what worked and what didn’t over the weekend. The events they feel didn’t work will either be cut out of the festival or tweaked to better suit it.

“I can’t say what we would change as it is a group decision, but there will be a discussion soon,” Allison said.

After the two year mini-hiatus, where the festival put on a concert series instead, Allison is confident the festival will continue or awhile yet.

“Everyone was so glad to see the festival-weekend come back,” he said.

Allison was also thankful to all the sponsors and volunteers who helped over the weekend.

he said without the work and dedication of the volunteers and the sponsors the jazz festival would not be possible.

“I think we will be doing this for a while yet. For as long as we can in any case,” said Allison.

8209733_web1_IMG_2668
Right: The Hot Dixieland Jazz Band performs at the Jazz in the Park event on Aug. 19. The band also performed the evening before at the Farmer’s Market.
8209733_web1_Cheryl-Fisher
Sylvan Lake’s Cheryl Fisher performs selections from her new album “Quietly There” at the Alliance Community Church on Aug. 19.
8209733_web1_John-and-Tyler-Faddis
Jon Faddis performs a special piece with his son Tyler Faddis during the Aug 18 concert. Faddis was one of four headliners to perform for the festival. Photos by Megan Roth/Sylvan Lake News
8209733_web1_Jon-Faddis-and-Eric-Allison
Event organizer Eric Allison recieved the special chance to perform with the legendary Jon Faddis during the Friday night concert.
8209733_web1_Brass-Clinic
Before the cocnert on Aug. 18, Jon Faddis held a brass clinic for trumpet and brass instruments. The session was meant to only be an hour long, but Faddis made it a point of listening to every player that came to the clinic.