Dixieland Jazz Lifts the Bellmore Library

The latest special program at the Bellmore Public Library featured the Dixieland-Swing Jazz of the Waterfront Six featuring vocalist Micki Grant, who played to a packed room of music enthusiasts on Sunday afternoon.

In Dixie, the swing is always the thing. The Waterfront Six gets much of its flight from clarinetist Artie Miller. Miller's been at it since the 1960s and like some of the players he's admired over the years - John Coltrane, Lester Young and Stan Getz to name a few - he still cherishes the challenge and the joy of playing his instrument and sharing his sound.

"Clarinet is a daily thing," Miller said. "I've been playing Dixie all my life. But this [clarinet] is still a killer."

 Miller's enthusiasm was matched by Patti Paris, the Bellmore Library's adult reference librarian. Leading up to the show, Paris worked the room easily and happily, greeting many of those in attendance by name, creating a "moment before the moment" that was as upbeat as the jazz itself.

"When we have a concert it's terrific," Paris said. "Many of our supporters are seniors. This is the only chance they get to see live entertainment. I've been here for 16 years. I serve the Bellmore community. It's the best job in the world and I love it."

The Waterfront Six has been bringing this uniquely American music of the 1920s, 30s and 40s to the New York area scene for decades. Through all that history and all those gigs and jams, Grant is still a warm and gracious woman with a velvet voice who treats every gig as a treasure.

"We play the style of music that everybody finds enjoyable," Grant said. "We've all been together for many years and we're all very good friends. My band is sensational. There's nothing like having music in your blood."