Jazz in Bettendorf, Iowa September 2003

Jazz in Bettendorf, Iowa

by Jimmie Jones

It is unusual when there is any great Jazz or blues bands performing in this part of the country, but there have been opportunities to see and hear some Jazz and blues national artists recently.

Stefan Harris

Henry Butler

E.C. Scott

The last week of September, 2003 Stefan Harris and his quartet held a residency at the Universityof Iowa. I attended a free concert at the student union cafeteria where the quartet backed up nine poets from a different countries reciting poetry in their languages.

The following evening the quartet performed a concert at Hancher Auditorium performing standard tunes such as "Summertime" and "Someday My Prince Will Come. The band was really cooking.

New Orleans pianist Henry Butler was a residency artist in the Quad Cities for the week of October 13 - 17, 2003 for the Mississippi Valley Blues Society. Henry conducted blues in the schools workshop at ten schools and colleges, was interviewed on two radio stations and performed three concerts during the week.

E.C. Scott was here for a club gig during the past month. So, things are looking up here.

by Jimmie Jones