"Jazz isn't dead," the late, great Frank Zappa once said. "It just smells funny."
Well, Frank, you may get some argument on that last part. As for your "jazz isn't dead" comment, you can find proof this weekend in New Smyrna Beach.
The Ninth Annual New Smyrna Beach Jazz Festival kicked off Sept. 24 and continues through Sept. 27. More than two dozen bands and artists, most from throughout Central Florida, will be performing in numerous venues, many along Flagler Avenue. Some performances carry a price tag, although most are free. (See a complete schedule in the accompanying story.)
Here are seven things to know about some of the jazz fest's performers, the better to impress the ghost of Zappa if he comes sniffing around:
The sauce is boss with Bill Wharton: Yes, Florida singer-guitarist Bill Wharton earned his "Sauce Boss" nickname the old-fashioned way -- by cooking up a big (12-gallon!) pot of gumbo onstage during his blues gigs, then feeding his audience at no additional charge for the stew.
Perhaps the key ingredient of his gumbo is the three pounds of crawfish tails. See his recipe at sauceboss.com -- especially if you have to feed one hundred folks at your next family reunion.
That's Wharton who's lauded in Jimmy Buffett's song "Will Play for Gumbo."
Nat is king with Cole: Yes, Nat King Cole is a family relation of Daytona Beach jazz singer Linda Cole.
Yanni time for singer: Orlando singer Michelle Amato has performed with New Age superstar Yanni on both the recording and touring sides. Amato sings on his CD "Ethnicity," and she's featured on his DVD "Yanni Live."
Sax-y time: Tampa musician Valerie Gillespie earned a bachelor degree from Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh with a major in classical saxophone, and her master's in jazz sax from the University of South Florida in Tampa.
Elbow-to-elbow with Latin legends: Long island-born trumpet player Frank Vardaros, who now lives in Deltona, toured in the trumpet section with Arturo Sandoval's Hot House Big Band. Vardaros also performed at Carnegie Hall with Sandoval, Tito Puente and Celia Cruz.
Atten-hut!: Daytona Beach multi-instrumentalist Richard Young served in the Marines and played in Marine Corps bands. "I ripped a facial muscle reconditioning my lips after boot camp, which caused me to lose my ability to play the trumpet well," Young says. Sax is his main instrument these days.
Pianist digs up "New Earth": After moving to New Smyrna Beach in 1977, pianist Harold Blanchard was contacted by flutist Hubert Laws, a friend he had first met in 1961 while living in the Bahamas. Laws wanted to explore both the classical and jazz arenas, and asked Blanchard to write a composition that combines the two. The result was "New Earth Sonata," recorded and released in 1985 with a lineup featuring Blanchard, Laws, keyboardist Chick Corea, conductor Quincy Jones and others.
Age: 38 Instruments: Vocalist Band: Soul Operation, with keyboardist Taray White, bassist Ernest Attaberry, guitarist Dave Jones and drummer Phil Reed Day job: Risk manager/workers' compensation for Acosta Sales & Marketing Hometown: Jacksonville Current residence: Daytona Beach Type of music you perform: Jazz, blues, neo-soul, R&B and rock 'n' roll Repertoire sampler: "Same Ole Love," Anita Baker; "Addicted to Love," Tina Turner; "It Hurt So Bad," Susan Tedeschi; "Just the Way You Are," Diana Krall arrangement; "Baby Baby Sweet Baby," Aretha Franklin; "Let's Stay Together," Al Green; "Something to Talk About," Bonnie Raitt; "Can't Live Without Your Love," original. Upcoming area gigs: 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Sept. 26, Angell & Phelps Café, 156 S. Beach St., Daytona Beach. 386-257-2677. Web site: amyalysia.net
Taking Notes
Who or what inspired you to take up music?
Watching performers on television, whether it was rock 'n' roll, gospel, R&B, opera, or my mother in choir rehearsal, music has always intrigued me and it's something that I am passionate about. I've experienced a lot of disappointments that made me considering quitting.
I met the love of my life and soul mate, Phil Reed. He inspired me to run hard after what I enjoy and that is music. He inspired me to pursue what I was born to do.
What was the most unusual or memorable gig you've ever played?
My most memorable gig was in my teenage years in Indianapolis. It was the first time singing for a crowd of over 2,000 people though it seemed like 100,000! As I began to sing, my legs started shaking, but after the initial shock, I pulled myself together and finished the song. I got rave reviews from everyone.
What musician/celebrity/historical person would you most like to have dinner with?
Without question, Tina Turner. She has influenced me to persevere through all obstacles that life will bring. I celebrate her because through her challenges she remained strong, and performed from her heart even though she was hurting.
She wasn't afraid to pursue her style of music despite Ike and what others thought she should perform. She remained unafraid to evolve musically and become transparent to the world. What an extraordinary woman!
What was the last book you read?
"The Laws of Thinking: 20 Secrets to Using the Divine Power of Your Mind to Manifest Prosperity" by Bishop E. Bernard Jordan. This book promotes me to change the way that I view myself and the things in this life that I have the power to achieve. I am who I say I am. I have the power to possess whatever I tell myself to possess. If I see it and desire it, only then will I possess it. What CD/tape/music is in your car/home stereo/iPod right now?
I have put all of my show tunes on CD to listen to as I travel to work and back home.
What is your favorite movie?
"Pretty Woman." What was the best concert you ever attended?
Wow! The Yellow Jackets, Daytona Beach, 2009. They were the height of musical perfection.
"If I didn't play music, I would .. ":
I can't imagine not performing music.
"I'd sell my soul for ...":
I couldn't sell my soul for anything. Music IS my soul!
If You Go Jimmie Walker 8 and 10 p.m. today and Saturday Bonkerz Comedy Club, in the LaPlaya Resort & Suites, 2500 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach TICKETS: $25, available at the resort INFORMATION: 386-672-0990
RICK de YAMPERT ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
Dyn-o-mite! OK, got that out of the way. After all, an article on comedian/actor Jimmie Walker that doesn't mention his catch-phrase, from the 1970s TV show "Good Times," would be like an essay on the pope's religion that doesn't mention he's Roman Catholic.
Of course Walker, who performs today and Saturday at Bonkerz in Daytona Beach, has done far more than portray J.J., the pencil-thin, teenaged painter and jokester in the Norman Lear-produced series.
Walker's many movie and television credits include "Airplane!," "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York," "The Love Boat," "Hollywood Squares" and, more recently, "Everybody Hates Chris" and "The George Lopez Show."
The 62-year-old Walker got his start in and around his home turf, the projects of New York's South Bronx. He worked as an engineer at small radio stations before landing a gig in the late 1960s as the opening act for the Last Poets -- that group of poets and musicians who were igniting the civil rights and black nationalist movements with their fiery rhetoric.
Given that background, it's not surprising that these days Walker confesses on his Web site (dynomitejj.com) that he would like to "write a full-time political column." What may be surprising is that Walker cites such heroes as conservative pundits George Will and Thomas Sowell. (A beaming Walker also has been photographed bear-hugging uber-conservative pit bull Ann Coulter).
When Walker isn't penning political essays for his Web site, he still tours the country 25 to 30 weeks a year performing stand-up comedy. When he's not touring, he divides his time between homes in Los Angeles and Las Vegas,
In an e-mail interview with The News-Journal via his Blackberry, Walker talked comedy and politics. rick.deyampert
When you were growing up in the South Bronx, were you exposed to a lot of comedy, whether on TV, radio, sneaking into clubs or on records (maybe some of those Laff Records comedians)? Also, who were some of the first comedians who made you laugh?
Record players in the ghetto??? I grew up and to this day still have tremendous respect for Dick Gregory and Godfrey Cambridge. Two incredibly talented men regardless of race.
You opened for the Last Poets in the late 1960s. I gather not too many comedians have that on their resume. Given that the Last Poets were creating politically charged poetry/raps/lyrics, and civil rights battles were raging, did any politically charged comedy make its way into your routine in those days? What about today? Any Obama jokes?
I was very fortunate to hook up with the Poets and the Panthers and all the other elements of the '60s scene. They were some turbulent times and in retrospect it seems incongruous that "J.J." would be opening for militant groups, but at the time it was natural and very organic.
My act then as now has always been about, to quote Marvin Gaye, "what's going on." If it is in the news, it's in the act! It was true 40 years ago and it is true today. Nixon didn't get a pass from me nor did Carter or Clinton or the Bushes. I take my fair share of shots at our new commander in chief. When it comes to comedy and politics, I am 100% colorblind, Brother!!!
One "Good Times" question: Your co-star Esther Rolle expressed reservations about the nature of your character J.J., saying that J.J. was too irresponsible and wasn't a good role model. What's your take on that? Do you feel she was over-reacting?
Esther was a tremendously gifted dramatic actress. We were fortunate to have her in our cast and it is a testament to Norman Lear's ability to cast his shows correctly. That being said, TV Guide listed us as a "comedy" with an ensemble cast. Not everyone deals with other cast members' popularity with as much grace as, say, Conrad Bain did with Gary Coleman or Reginald VelJohnson did with Jaleel White.
On your Web site, your essay "The State of Comedy" mentions just about every comedian in the history of the universe. If you could invite three comedians, living or deceased, to have dinner with you, who would they be?
Well, I am old enough, and arrived in Los Angeles so long ago, that I have had lunch with many of my heroes! Actually, I have done it on both coasts.
I was lucky enough to have lunch with Groucho and Rowan and Martin. But to answer your question, I would have to say W.C. Fields would be an interesting cat to hang around with. I don't drink but his thoughts on kids and animals parallel mine for sure! Jack Benny would be next -- he was the master of timing and wasn't afraid to share the spotlight with his co-stars.
Mike Hill of Whiskey Basin - Athens theater - Deland , Florida - Call Me The Breeze
Vital Stats Age: 29.
Instruments: Vocals, guitar, bass, piano.
Band: Whiskey Basin.
Day job: Web and database technician.
Hometown: Okeechobee.
Current residence: South Daytona.
Type of music you perform: Rock, country, metal.
Repertoire sampler: "Medicine" (an original song I wrote), a bunch of Whiskey Basin originals --"Blame It on Boston," "Invisible to You," "Plans We Made." Also Brad Paisley's "The World," Ted Nugent's "Stranglehold," Keith Urban's "Better Life."
Upcoming area gigs: 9 p.m. Sept. 12, Boot Hill Saloon, 310 Main St., Daytona Beach. 9 p.m. Sept. 18, Airport Bar, 1120 Flight Line Blvd., Deland.
CDs: Whiskey Basin, "Seven Sundays" -- $11.99 at whiskeybasin.com and at shows. Web site: Whiskey Basin Official Site www.whiskeybasin.com
Age: 79. Instruments: Tenor, alto and soprano sax, clarinet ... and for my own amusement, the flugelhorn.
Bands you perform with on a regular basis: Daytona State College Symphonic Band, Daytona Beach Concert Band and I'm now concentrating on an eleven-piece dance band I have formed called The Sound. We are the only local dance band that uses the sax section voicing of Woody Herman's "Four Brothers" -- three tenor saxes and a baritone sax.
We play arrangements that utilize the versatility of our sax section who play flute, clarinet and tenor, alto and soprano saxophones. Our brass section consists of two trumpets and two trombones. These guys have vast experience playing dance and jazz charts and are great soloists. And The Sound swings!
Day job: Retired microbiologist. I worked for the U.S. Air Force (as a civilian) my entire career. Hometown: Born in Highland Park, N.J. Spent five years at the U. of Delaware earning my Ph.D. Lived and worked 30 years in Dayton, Ohio, before retiring. Current residence: New Smyrna Beach. Type of music you perform: The Sound plays the music of the "Great American Song Book." These are the songs played by the great dance bands of yesteryear -- like Dorsey, James, Miller, Basie and many others. The tunes we play are great musically and perfect for dancing. Our music includes ballads, swing tempos, Latin, waltzes and even a polka or two.
Repertoire sampler: "April in Paris," "Begin the Beguine," "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," "Shiny Stockings," "Watch What Happens," "Birdland." Upcoming area gigs: The Sound will be playing on a monthly basis at City Island Recreation Center in Daytona Beach, and at the Ormond Beach Senior Citizens Center.
The quirky bassist -- driving force behind '90s indie darlings Primus, the supergroup Oysterhead, a thriving solo career, and of course, the theme song to "South Park" -- definitely marches to the beat of a different drummer. His latest solo CD, "Of Fungi and Foe," finds Claypool taking a minimalist, if no less weird approach to his music. (Check out the song "Red State Girl" on Youtube.com. It's brilliantly twisted.)
Claypool will be at the House of Blues in Orlando on May 31. We chatted with the Northern California resident about fine wine, "Underdog" and Labrador retrievers.
Vital Stats Age: 11 Instruments: Steel drums and I sing. Day job: I am in fifth grade at Sweetwater Elementary School, Port Orange. Hometown: Port Orange Current residence: Port Orange Type of music you perform: My steel drum playing is Caribbean and my singing is kiddie pop. Repertoire sampler: My steel drums are mostly cover songs: "Red Red Wine," "Don't Worry, Be Happy," "Turn the World Around," "Volcano," " Hot Hot Hot," " Three Little Birds," "Amazing Grace," "Limbo Rock," "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," "Under the Sea," "Jump in Line," the national anthem and some originals (area steel drum player) Kelvin Hart has taught me.
My singing has the "Chihuahua" song, and I'm working in the recording studio on my first CD being produced by Gold Star Productions at Tower Sound in Orlando. My songs are "Magic Balloon Ride in the Sky"; "Perfectly Pavlina" (about me), which will be the theme song for my new TV pilot being produced by Gold Star Productions; and a song about best friends.
These are all originals written by Tad Jennings of Amsden.
Upcoming area gigs: Steel drum performance, 6 p.m. Friday May 15, May 22 and May 29, part of the Bandshell Live! summer concert series, Bandshell, behind the Ocean Walk Shoppes, 250 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach.
Steel drum performance, 12:30-1:30 p.m. May 25, part of the Second Annual Missing Children's Benefit, Speed Park Motorsports, 201 Fentress Blvd., Daytona Beach.
Singing the national anthem prior to the Daytona Cubs vs. Sarasota Reds baseball game, 7:05 p.m. June 2, Jackie Robinson Ballpark, 105 E. Orange Ave., Daytona Beach. Information: daytonacubs.com or 386-257-3172.
Web sites: myspace.com/pavlinamusic and sceneinteractive.com/talents/pavlinaosta.
Taking Notes
What or who inspired you to pursue music, especially the steel drums? And how did you learn to play the steel drums?
I've always loved music because I've been dancing for five years, but I love it more in the last year or so because of all my trips to New York City and seeing Broadway shows.
My school has a steel drum band for fifth graders. I wasn't interested in playing a band instrument but the steel drums were different! So my parents asked if I really liked them and then they had Tommy Reynolds, of (the pop group) Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds, make me a pair. So when I got back from being in the Macy's Parade, I started playing on my own. Now I take private lessons with Kelvin Hart.
What was the most unusual or memorable steel drum performance you've ever played?
Each performance is different but my first performance was on the beach in front of the Bandshell. People from all over were watching me. There were kids, bikers, tourists and there was this older guy making roses and grasshoppers out of palm fronds. He talked about just being happy and do what you can for the world. How good is that?
So I started getting tips for my playing and wanted to help animals so I donate my money for spaying and neutering, and I go to city council meetings asking for animal help, too.What musician/celebrity/historical person would you most like to have dinner with?
I love all the Broadway stars and to have them all give me some of their energy and a hug would be the best dinner ever. I'd really like to have dinner with (local Olympic gold medalist swimmer) Ryan Lochte because he's done a lot and is very focused.
What was the last book you read?
"The Tale of Despereaux."
What CD/tape/music is in your car/home stereo/iPod right now?
In my iPod are a lot of songs from "Wicked," "Seasons of Love" from "Rent," Rihanna and Coldplay.
What is your favorite movie?
Disney's "Bedtime Stories."
What was the best concert you ever attended?
I've never been to a concert but I'd like to see Coldplay. I love the song "Viva la Vida" and the instruments they use.
"If I didn't play music, I would ...": I already go to Orlando Ballet three to four times a week, but if I didn't perform music I would do even more dancing. I love dancing so much I never want to stop.
I also want to be an actress! I would love to be on a Disney show! That would be an ultimate dream. Joy Star of Gold Star says I'm a triple threat which means I can sing/act/dance plus I play the steel drums. So I have a lot of choices.
"I'd sell my soul for...": There's a lot of things I would like to do but I'm a kid and kids have power and time so I'll just do what I'm doing. I'm good. It's all good.
Blame it on the pills. Or perhaps, give them all the credit.
For the latest disc from the southern rockers/arena monsters Kings on Leon -- "Only By The Night" -- lead vocalist and guitarist Caleb Followill wrote most of the lyrics and music while recovering from shoulder surgery (more on that later).
His brother, Nathan, drummer for the band, said on their Web site, "I think the pain pills inspired him a little more than we realized. He would play us a song and we'd say 'When did you write that?' and he'd say, 'I don't really remember writing it. I just woke up with an empty bottle of wine and my songbook open and these words written down.'"
Matthew Friedman, formerly a lawyer, whose part time music career included playing at Billy Joels wedding, has the lead spot as Piano Man, in a show based on the music of the legendary Billy Joel.
While, the Hall of Fame singer might be known for his 33 Top 40 hits and 23 Grammy nominations, Joel's career has spanned four decades, and he also won a Tony Award for Best Orchestration for the Broadway hit "Movin' Out."
The shows national tour company will perform at Peabody Auditorium on May 4. The love-interrupted-by-combat story about six characters from Joels songs has a twist. The orchestra on stage, and the tale is told entirely through dancers choreographed by Twyala Tharp, considered dance-world aristocracy. Joel's lyrics are sung by Friedman, 40, and The News-Journal caught him on the phone between shows.
When Jim Morrison of the Doors sang that Willie Dixon lyric back in 1967, it had far darker (and creepier) connotations. But when it comes to singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, it's the truth: Millions of teenage girls really do understand.
Swift's ascension to the top of the musical heap has been meteoric to say the least. The 19-year-old Pennsylvania native's latest CD, "Fearless," sold nearly 600,000 copies upon its debut in late 2008, and the record garnered Album of the Year honors at the Academy of Country Music's award ceremonies this month, beating out traditional favorite George Strait and current phenom Carrie Underwood.
"Jazz isn't dead," the late, great Frank Zappa once said. "It just smells funny." 
