As a lifelong jazz fan, and former co-host of a jazz specialty show on KOOP radio in Austin, I’ve always been a fan of the history of jazz music, including the many forms it has taken since the early roots in Congo Square in New Orleans. One of my favorite subgenres is swing, especially as practiced by the Count Basie and Glen Miller Orchestra. And it turns out that a big influence on these bands is our very own Eddie Durham, who is being celebrated on Saturday at Eddie Durham Park, on MLK across from the Calaboose African American History Museum.
The jazz festivals I have attended have always been laid back affairs, with fans spreading out blankets and enjoying the music, paying attention to the performances and truly appreciating the skill and interpretations of the performers on stage. Jazz festivals are less concerned with selfies and flurries of text messages to find and/or update friends. The vibe is the key, relaxed, low-key and most of all, focused on quality of the music. And you can enjoy and appreciate some top-notch performances at Eddie Durham Park on Saturday.
John Clark Associate Editor
