On April 3, Hancher presented Richard Stoltzman with the UI's Johnson County Landmark band—Salute to Benny Goodman. We asked the audience for their comments.
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Outstanding show, very engaging and the music was hot. The swing dancers were fun to watch, and the banter between John and Richard was warm and heartfelt.
David Hesli
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The Richard Stoltzman performance was fabulous! Johnson County Landmark was at their best, too. The evening's music was exhilarating, the comments were both informative and amusing, and the dancers were amazing. It was an evening well spent. Thank you.
Diane Winegarden
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In response to your request, I'm writing to say I found the Benny Goodman tribute and recreation program more than just outstanding. It was so masterful.
However, my praise is directed entirely at John Rapson and Johnson County Landmark (JCL). Under Rapson's direction, the young musicians' recreation of the Goodman sound was so good it was an emotional experience for me.
From opening with "King Porter Stomp" to "Stealin' Apples," and then the all-time killer-diller, "Sing, Sing, Sing," it was as if I were being transported back to that January night in 1938 at Carnegie Hall.
On the other hand, I felt Richard Stoltzman was at times almost counter-productive. He played notes, but he didn't swing. In some instances, it actually detracted from the great big band swing sound being produced by JCL's outstanding brass and horn sections.
The Englert, for both sight and sound, was an outstanding setting for the entire program. I hope both the Englert and Hancher will revisit using Rapson and JCL for recreation of other classic swing/jazz bands such as Basie, Ellington, Woody Herman, Glen Gray, or smaller groups such as Bob Crosby's Bobcats.
Thanks for the Goodman-JCL program.
Bob Elliott
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It was great. Do it again.
Nancy
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What a performance...and not just
from the guest artisit! Have more events like that.
D
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The intimacy of the Englert theater enhanced our evening with Richard Stoltzman and the Johnson County Landmark Band. When you add in the dancers, there was a crowd on stage and they were swinging. It was like a party.
Stoltzman had the generosity to share the stage with the young Johnson County Landmark players. He was a member of a team both playing with one another and complimenting one another.
Stoltzman is richly talented (and also gave helpful background for the music) but the young Landmark band is also terrific.
Samantha Blickhan can sing--and scat--and the Swing Dance Club can dance.
Mark Isham
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We really enjoyed the evening, Was much better than we expected it to
be. Sing-Sing-Sing was the highlight.
James
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One of the best Hancher Events I've ever attended - and I have been
to many through the years. Benny (I mean Richard) was out of this
world as was the JCL! The JCL continues to be the BEST jazz
orchestra any where (IMHO)
Julia Klapper
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In response to your request for opinions about the performance of Richard Stoltzman, I'd say that the stars of the show were the members of JCL. I have not previously heard Stoltzman attempt popular music and my experience listening to his recordings is very limited. However, given the title of the show, A Tribute to Benny Goodman, I had expected some approximation of the fluid and graceful phrasing that marked Goodman's clarinet playing. I left with the impression that Stoltzman is a reader who can try to emulate BG but who will rarely attain that goal.
JCL, however, was terrific.
Kenn Hubel
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My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our evening with the Johnson County Landmark, the dancers, and Maestro Stoltzman and his clarinet. Being a musician and an ex-band director, and one who used to play many jazz gigs in highschool and college and beyond, I can say it was professionalism at it's finest. If I had closed my eyes, I would have thought I was in a dance hall in 1940. Thanks, and we miss Hancher Auditorium. We hope things will take flight on the rebuilding of a world class facility soon.
Our best in this endeavor,
Lee and Bev Witwer
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While Stoltzman was the star, JCLB, Sam & the dancers were clearly the show. A marvelous credit to the University's music faculty. I'm glad we were able to get this one in. Even after a 14 month wait it lived up to my expectations. Do some more like this!!
Bob
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excellent
Byron
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One of the best programs of the season. The JCL was just terrific.
Sherwood