Date
Sep 3
5:00 pm
Location
Allen Centennial Gardens
From 1884 through 1992 I lead a mainstream jazz band called Full Count. Now, after years of playing country, Americana and Western Swing, I am reviving the Full Count Jazz Band with a little more emphasis on the “Americana” side of things. Is it jazz? Well, yes! As Bob Wills said (and I paraphrase), “Western Swing is just jazz played on hillbilly instruments.” So what can you expect from Full Count? Swinging versions of songs you know, including selections normally considered mainstream jazz standards. You can also expect a lot of vocals, including two and three part harmonies (something many jazz bands do not do), and a good number of songs you might not expect to hear at a “jazz” concert—songs from other segments of the American canon. The essence of jazz is improvisation, and everything Full Count does will feature improvisation by four highly professional players: Doug Brown (guitar), Ruthie McQuinn (violin & vocals), Matt Rodgers (bass & vocals), and yours truly, Tom Waselchuk (guitar & vocals).
This concert is a maiden voyage for a project I hope will play a big part of my musical life in the years to come.
Allen Centennial Gardens is an amazing oasis in the heart of the UW Campus. If you’ve never been to the gardens, I can tell you I can’t think of a lovelier spot for a Sunday afternoon musical adventure.
This is a free concert. Enjoy!
Tom W.