Jazz Returns to Otter Crest
Jazz musician Ken Peplowski is one of four renowned jazz musicians performing during ‘Jazz at Otter Crest’ Saturday, May 30. The concert benefits the Oregon Coast Jazz Party and is sponsored by the nonprofit Just Jazz Inc. and the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts. (Photo courtesy of Just Jazz Inc.)
By Larry Coonrod
OTTER CREST—Rekindling a series of legendary jazz shows started in 1978, ‘Jazz at Otter Crest’ returns Saturday with four national renowned artists headlining a show to benefit the Oregon Coast Jazz Party.
Jazz at Otter Crest traces its roots back to the late 1970s when promoters Jim and Mary Brown helped inaugurate the Otter Crest Jazz Weekends featuring independent musicians spending a weekend performing in different pairings in a resort setting.
Registration was limited to 250 with a fee of $295 per person, which included admission, dining and gratuities. A music-only package was available for $145 per person.
The concerts attracted such nationally known musicians as Gene Harris, Jimmie Smith, Diana Krall and brothers John and Jeff Clayton, throughout the ‘80s and early ‘90s. In fact, three of Saturday’s headliners, Ken Peplowski, Tom Wakeling and Randy Porter performed at the Otter Crest Jazz Weekends back in the day.
“The Otter Crest Weekends really started something here,” says Randy Madnick, with Just Jazz Inc.
Jazz Returns to Otter Crest
In 2014, the nonprofit Just Jazz Inc. operated by Madnick and Claire Little decided to bring jazz back to Otter Crest. The first “Jazz at Otter Crest” was held in February 2014 and featured Karla Harris with Dave Captein, Todd Strait, Mike Horsfall, Bill Hartsell and John Bringetto.
This Saturday’s event marks the first time Just Jazz has collaborated with the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts and the Oregon Coast Jazz Party to sponsor Jazz at Otter Crest.
During the Oregon Coast Jazz Party (scheduled this year for Oct. 2-4), many of the performers conduct workshops sponsored by Just Jazz for local students.
“These people want to share,” Madnick. “They were given a gift by God and they worked hard to be as proficient as they are. It’s their duty to share it.”
May 30 Lineup
Held at the Lodge at Otter Crest, Saturday’s event features Ken Peplowski with Randy Porter and Tom Wakeling with Todd Strait.
Ken Peplowski
By the time he was in high school, Ken Peplowski was teaching music and playing jazz gigs. After a year of college, he joined the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. The artists he’s collaborated with include, Mel Torme, Leon Redbond, Charlie Byrd, Peggy Lee, Steve Allen, Madonna, Rosemary Clooney and Woody Allen.
Randy Porter
Jazz pianist Randy Porter draws from a rich palette of sonorities found within his imagination and the depths of the piano. Porter has performed with many jazz greats, including Freddy Hubbard, Art Farmer, and Benny Golson. He has also performed with the Charles McPherson Quartet throughout the U.S. and in France, Italy, Greece and China. Samples of Porter’s writing and playing can be found on Apple’s iLife jingles. Porter also composed the music for the 2009 documentary, “Deep Green.”
Tom Wakeling
A retired music department chair at Clackamas Community College, Wakeling has put his bass to work in concert halls, jazz nightclubs, recording studios, and at music festivals throughout North America and Europe.
Tom’s bass versatility has supported a wide range of artists including Arturo Sandoval, Lee Konitz, Mel Torme, James Moody, Herb Ellis, Mose Allison, Charlie Rouse, Houston Person, Ernie Watts, Charles McPherson, Carl Fontana, Herb Geller, Della Reese, Red Skelton, Rich Little, Mickey Rooney, the Fifth Dimension, and many others in jazz and pop performers.
He has played in the orchestras of national touring shows such as “Cats,” “A Chorus Line,” the Joffrey Ballet, “Grease,” and “Damn Yankees” with Jerry Lewis.
Todd Strait
Raised in Topeka, Kansas, Strait became involved in music in elementary school playing trumpet and drums. Eventually, braces pushed the trumpet out of the picture and it’s been drums ever since. He began gigging in 7th grade with his father’s group.
He has toured nationally and internationally with Kevin Mahogany, Karrin Allyson and Eldar.
“One of the best drummers in Oregon, bar none,” Madnick says of Strait.
Tickets Still Available
Jazz at Otter Crest starts at 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets for Jazz at Otter Crest are $25 and can be purchased online at www.jazzottercrest.com
For more information:
Jazz at Otter Crest: www.jazzottercrest.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jazzottercrest
Just Jazz Inc.: www.justjazzoregon.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JustJazzOregon
Oregon Coast Jazz Party: www.coastarts.org/event-types/oregon-coast-jazz-party/about-the-oregon-coast-jazz-party and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OregonCoastJazz
