RVAJazz 2009 Year in Review: November & December

In November, Fight the Big Bull kicked off their new gig at Balliceaux. Lucas Fritz launched the VCU Jazz @ The Camel series that takes place every month and features student-run ensembles. The VCU Jazz Orchestra I put on a concert complete with Johnny Hodges impressions and on-stage sight reading, and it was at this […]

In November, Fight the Big Bull kicked off their new gig at Balliceaux. Lucas Fritz launched the VCU Jazz @ The Camel series that takes place every month and features student-run ensembles. The VCU Jazz Orchestra I put on a concert complete with Johnny Hodges impressions and on-stage sight reading, and it was at this concert that we learned of trumpeter Dave Douglas’s impending spring residency. Trio of Justice, Jason Scott 5, and Alan Parker 5 demonstrated a perfect Monday night show. Local bassist Jason Jenkins’s newest album — an exciting modern straight-ahead story — finally got around to being reviewed here.

The scene brought 2009 to a strong end with December. No BS!’s philanthropy, just like their upbeat nature, was contagious. The first leg of Brian Jones’s monthly Tuesday night series that consistently packed The Camel came to a close with performances by his Wurlitzer Trio and Double Quartet. Fight the Big Bull played Christmas music at Balliceaux, and people sang along as if they knew the words. On the site, album guides were aplenty (favorite albums of 2009 and a Christmas music guide). RVAJazzfest 2010 was announced to feature Tim Berne and Ombak in February.

Here’s to many more years of great music in Richmond!

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Dean Christesen

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