Something Blue

DJ Hairy Larry presents Jazz Alliance playing “Blues In A Hurry”.

01. DJ Hairy Larry Presents Jazz Alliance
02. Something Blue – Walker – 29 second spot

Thanks Marty, today we’re going to hear some original jazz recorded right here in Jonesboro.

It was Jazz Alliance that brought me back to ASU to complete my music education. I was attending their shows at The Edge Coffeehouse and one night I was talking to Janie Overall and she told me about the Silver Scholar program in Arkansas where the state pays the tuition of students over 60. I had taken percussion in the eighties including Marimba lessons and I just loved working with the mallets. So I talked to Mr. Collison and signed up for lessons. I also signed up for jazz improv lessons with Dr. Horton, Director of Jazz Studies at ASU. And from there I went on to composition, theory, performance, conducting, all of the great things you learn in music school.

While all of this was going on I recorded a Jazz Alliance album, “Partly Cloudy”. Featuring Ron Horton, trumpet, Craig Collison, percussion; Dave Eckert and Derek Doyle, bass; and Mike Overall, drums; the album was recorded at live concerts over a period of months. It was worth the effort, the album is a gem featuring songs written by Ron Horton. It memorializes the band with a permanent record of the music they made.

I also want to give a shout out to my friend and teacher, Craig Collison who just retired from his position as Director of Percussion at ASU. He brought me back to ASU and then last December I graduated and this Spring he retired.

I have been playing with drummers that he taught for the last 12 years and I have to say they are all excellent musicians. The skill of the student is a tribute to the teacher.

So now, from their “Partly Cloudy” album here’s Jazz Alliance playing the Ron Horton song, “Blues In A Hurry”, recorded at Gracie’s Place in Jonesboro, Arkansas on May 14, 2010.

archive.org/details/partly_cloudy
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