Is Towson a Hidden Jazz Hub?

Okay, did I miss something? When did Towson become a hub for jazz? I know I've wrote quite a bit about this particular musical genre, but sometimes it seems that the subject is being thrust upon me. When most pair jazz with places, the usual associations are with New York, New Orleans, and Chicago. To my knowledge, Baltimore has never been at the forefront of the movement. But, perhaps Towson's trying to change that.

Last week I had the distinct pleasure of seeing one of my favorite groups perform down in Annapolis. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (a mouthful, I know) started to achieve a presence towards the end of the 90s during what many have called the Swing Revival. Interestingly enough, this was right around the time when I started to appreciate music. Let's call it a sonic adolescence; it's certainly better than musical puberty.

Since the dawn of that awakening up until now, I've carried a soft spot for jazz and swing music. However, putting on a album doesn't carry the same “pizazz” as seeing a live performance. I was blown away by how those recordings didn't do the band nearly enough justice. The energy was electrifying and I found myself hypnotized by the synchronized movements and wailing improvisation of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's horn section.

All that being said, I'm encouraging all to try and take part in thegoing on this Friday and Saturday. Tickets are a very manageable $10 and you'll have the pleasure of seeing and hearing middle and high school jazz ensembles exploring this dynamic genre. I know playing in my high school jazz ensemble at , under the direction of Barry Karow (affectionately called Uncle Barry by some), crafted my appreciation into somewhat of an obsession.

One can only hope that the upcoming festival will give us the chance to witness the same transformation in an all new generation of jazz lovers.