Issue XVIIII August 2020

In Memory of Wilda Novak attendee at virtually all events, active leader as a Board member and interested advisor in the Sparks group – Ralph gave his all for Jazz Pensacola for a long time. by Carolyn Tokson When Kat and I moved to Pensacola in 2003, it was Ralph

so friendly and inviting. We were hooked on Jazz Pensacola, and weJanet began at the a very door close for friendshipour first Jazz with Gumbo. them. WeThey were were so sad when Janet passed in 2009, and now Ralph. But hey, 93 is an enviable age to reach, and he led a fantastic life – one to be celebrated as well as missed. Ralph was a truly kind and good person, and he loved jazz too. He loved that hot traditional jazz, with a toe-tappin’ beat, and I think he was warming up to that progressive

Vivian Joiner (left) and Wilda Novak at the August 2019 Jazz Jam. him in the merchandise tent or the VIP tent or around the Photo by Norman Vickers. jazz I presented from time to time. You could always find Wilda Novak had a 200 watt smile that lit up the room. Her band concerts or wherever Al Martin was playing. Of course, Gazebo or at the Jazz Jams and Jazz Gumbos or at the college dear friend Vivian Joiner always guided Wilda’s motorized many more good things can be said about him. Just want to say again – we will miss Ralph. enjoyed. Wilda was a big fan of Joe Occhipinti’s saxophone What’s Jazzing Around Town classicswheel chair and intoa frequent the Jazz attendee Jams and at Gumbos Joe’s events which as Wilda well. soA graduate of Pensacola High School’s class of 1949, Wilda met her piano playing husband Emil “Larry” Novak at the by It’s Carolyn not easy Tokson trying to set up jazz events. New studies look at the amount of aerosols that are dispersed in vocalizing, in the Chicago area for 35 years. When she returned to playing wind and brass instruments. As a result, it is very Pensacola,Pensacola Wilda USO before was very he active deployed in the to Pensacola Korea. They Museum lived organization. Wilda died July 17, 2020 from COVID-19. We virusdifficult is forrequiring jazz musicians a lot of wantinghard decisions to perform in this and area. teachers Our willof Art miss Guild Wilda’s and smile,served presence as president and enthusiasm. and treasurer of the presidentreturning Fred to teach Domulot band and students the Board in person. of Directors The corona have We will miss Ralph been working to move forward at a pace that provides by Roger and Kat Villines safety for all. We appreciate your patience and support in this situation. We look forward to getting together, seeing some of our jazz friends, and listening to a live performance, but we also want to exercise caution and ensure safety. Check out the calendar at www.jazzpensacola.com to see who is performing live jazz and where. Keep your eyes out for a Jazz Alert. We do have events in the works.

Festival and MOJO (Mystic Order of the Jazz Obsessed) honored Creola JoeRuffin Occhipiniti of the Gulf in CoastMobile Ethnic with and a medal Heritage for Jazzhis

old festival began with the Marcus Johnson Summer Jazz Camp,chairmanship which was of theheld event outdoors this thisyear. year, The and twenty-two culminated year in Ralph Knowles and his wife, Patricia enjoy the December 2019 three days of virtual performances ending August 1. Joe and

As you probably know, Ralph Knowles passed away on nights for the foreseeable future. Jingle Jazz. Photo by Alice Crann Good. his JazzAbouts will continue to be at Calvert’s on Tuesday supporter! He could always be counted on as a hard working article by Lew Shaw about Dr. Norman Vickers, “Jazz Doc July 18 at the age of 93. Talk about an avid Jazz Pensacola and The More” August which issue details of The the Syncopated musical life Times of the features founder anof “Jazzing” Continued... volunteer, steadfast financial supporter, enthusiastic 1 “Jazzing” Continued... Jazz Pensacola. It has links to the Jazz Pensacola website and information about VARF, the Vickers Artist in Residence find live streamed jazz on the Facebook page of the New organizing a fundraiser for VARF, an event honoring Norman jazzOrleans events. Jazz Also Museum. explore They offerings offer a fromconcert WWOZ from 90.7 the balcony FM out andFund. Joe The O when Sparks all volunteeractivities camegroup to were a screeching in the process halt with of of Newthe museum Orleans onfor Tuesdays streaming at on 5PM their and Facebook a plethora page. of other the coronavirus. It is still in the works and will be held at a Debby Naylor and Marcia Hoven and other friends alsotime seewhen the events refreshed can versionbe handled of the more July 2017safely. edition Those withwho atof theSt. Michael’slate Carol Basilica, (Gabby) friendsBarrett wereplanned taking a celebration a ferry ride, of manyhave an articles online by subscription Norman and to Lew. the Syncopated Times can Gabby’s life for Sunday, August 20. After a high noon Mass them to play music”, a collaboration between Al and Sandra Mohsone of surgery, Gabby’s but favorite our dear activities. Vivian Lamont Other began news the from month our L. WinbornePianist Al Martin’sPh.D, is on book sale “Al’s on Amazon. Ten Little Fingers: He used withmembership a return findsstay in Holly the hospital. Parker recuperatingShe is home and nicely happy from to receive cards or calls, but no visitors as yet. We wish her a the story of Al’s journey in music comes alive. Another return to her sparkling self. book With about colorful Al’s illustrations adult life is by in local progress artist, accordingCarter J. Gaston, to Dr. Winborne who heads a local education consultant business Remembering David Shelander called Winnie and Associates, LLC. Sue Straughn of WEAR highlighted Al on “Angels in our Midst” on August 3. Dr. by Holly Shelton artist who painted the murals at the corner of Belmont andWinborne Devilliers sang Sts. as He Al has played. a studio Carter in J.Brownsville Gaston is aand local is

Art Center at 306 N. Devilliers. PenArts, Inc. chose Carter presently showing his work at The Gordon Community August 28. Al’s book is an ideal gift for any parent or child interestedJ. as their firstin music. artist Lucky and his listeners work will are besometimes on display able until to catch Al’s soothing piano playing at the District on Friday nights. Peg Sheridan, Cay Simpson, Barbara Little, Vivian Lamont and Jim Crumlish were among the crowd enjoying the music of saxophonist Jim Andrews at the Cactus Flower. Cynthia David Shelander (left) and Holly Shelton. Neves Domulot has been performing at the District with We had played three consecutive nights and were set to gig of Northwest Florida has had to cancel events also, but they again in Destin that night. Dave, as I sometimes called him, hostedTom Latenser. the Regional They are International always a class Blues act. Challenge The Blues virtually Society had long been my most valued musical partner. I had a house on August 8. With tickets all but sold out, William “Cadillac” Banks nights weekly that I began with another pianist. I met David, gig at The Perdido Beach Resort for more than 13-years, five- scheduled for September 5 and 6 at Maritime Park. He had the old Beef and Ale House. I approached him when I knew afinally line of cancelled award-winning his Gulf smooth Coast jazz Summer artists Fest and Jazz the Editionfestival thefresh other from pianist the Navy, was at nota Jazz going Society to work (JSOP) out Gumbo a few eventmonths at had planned major precautions with temperature checks later, after talking and sitting in with him a few times. I at the gate and requirements for masks, social distancing, was really impressed and knew he was the Rolls Royce of and a limit of only 1500 tickets. I spoke to him only a few accompanists. Dave had what we musicians like to call, days before he cancelled; he said it was a hard decision to “Big Ears.” He never musically ran over me. Always played balance the concerns and risks. elegantly, really tasty in support of me. He would lead me to a song I had never heard or perhaps not considered might another musical jewel. It’s a step back in time hosted by be right for me. He was, as the requested song we would David Time Brent to be Johnson, grateful who for technology.brings us two Mike weekly Lynch historical sent me jazz programs, Night Lights and Afterglow, on the weekly was very lucky he said yes, and the rest was history. WFIU from Indiana Public Media. Norman Vickers and a few record, Shelander says, “The was Windtall and Beneath slim, wellMy Wings.” dressed, I handsome,hired him, others report they have been watching Roman Street’s live

usuallyand one-talented on our breaks, Texan. heWearing appeared glasses, studious. carrying You his would Day- streaming from their Facebook page on Thursday nights at Timer notebook, and mechanical pencils, he doodled in, 7:30 CST. Thanks to Carmen Brown of MOJO for her tip to “Shelander” Continued... 2 “Shelander” Continued... For instance, our various experiences, from his having oftennot necessarily intensely private hear Texas but could in his be voice cordial or and manner, funny, but in the he appearance on Johnny Carson, in the ‘80s, complimented beginning,embodied thesecluding space aroundhimself him. away He from moved people fluidly. unless He was we andplayed often with weirdly The somewhat Tonight Show paralleled Band each to other. my surprise I grew had visitors, fans requesting a visit. He could be very out- going, especially with a few drinks. Folks often assumed we were married. As I am 6’1”, he was pedalup in Memphis,country, indigenous “Home of the blues, Blues.” jazz, He,and in soul. Texas, Dave educated played at least 6’5”. I never measured, but he was taller than I. Fans forat NorthCarmen Texas McRae, State, one with of the everything singers fromI carefully rock tostudied steel confessed they naturally perceived we were married! I like to believe it is because we worked together so cohesively, players and close to Hutch Hutchinson, her bassist, and seamlessly, hardly having to say anything. We almost Bonnie.and still Iadore. had met He herwas and one followed of Bonnie her Raitt’s closely first-keyboard while living in Los Angeles. When she played Pensacola, Dave was each other in looks as well as talent power. finished each other’s musical sentences and complemented backstage, and I was in the audience. He worked in the Gap cut-throat The resort society (hence, among our the lives) resort was staff run fromby an the iron-fisted owners- Band. Their song, “You Dropped a Bomb On Me” in the 4th on-down.German Chef, It could so days be very off were stressful not easytrying to to come navigate by. It whose was a tobar coast, and later on everyin the continentend-part has with a whistle so many like famous, a firecracker some side was whose depending on the politics of the day. Still, obscure,sizzling. That’seclectic a artists, David too synth-lick. numerous He to worked list here. from coast we had much freedom in that I could sing whatever I felt like. I created the upstairs venue that welcomed and pulled many asking for a CD of ours. Eventually, we would record people right in when they came through the revolving doors in Huntsville The “Perdido at a studio Beach”CD belonging collaboration to the resort came owners. out of We so after 7 p.m. It really was my baby, and Dave later would help me grow it. engineer, had put in our state-of-the-art sound system at He could play anything. We were two-years apart in age, he thefinanced resort it and together was admired ourselves. by both Toot of Snoddy,us. We were their in house good hands with him. Stripped-down, piano and vocals, honest scores. You name it; we probably played it. Perdido Beach music with nothing to hide behind, is what we laid down. Resortolder, and is a had Four-Diamond a similar uncanny Resort, love so ofwe blues, dressed rock, and jazz, really film few surprises included. families with children, businessmen, women. I wrote special Literally a musical postcard from the beach… There were a materialput on a for show. businesses, The hotel conventions, drew many wedding visiting couples, dignitaries, and happily took requests. Every New Years’, the 4th of July, we Our musical adaptation of an obscure Tennessee William’s were there. Asking Chef for the night off for my honeymoon onlyTone living Poem, family. The GoldWe met Tooth in Memphis Blues had at beena party introduced given by was not even granted, so we worked it around the schedule. myto meparents by Dakin for a Williams, large arts Tennessee’s organization older on a brother weekend and I happened to be there. Dakin and his manager, Farris Evans shows directly after! We were well-payed but earned every and a small entourage were there, and we hit it off. We met dollar.The rehearsal dinner was there, of course, with our floor up again when we visited New Orleans and later Key West, With my theatrical background, I used colorful props; red, purple, and gold boas, jackets, my signature hats, adding to the insert on the middle card of the Perdido Beach CD and the visual of the character portrayed in the song. I kept my Dakin’sand as we picture partied, with we clip became comment. each other’sDavid andadmirers. I went Thus, into trunk under the piano and unlocked it nightly to set up my the session with the poem’s words, nothing else. I had read show. Kids loved it, and we enjoyed seeing their fun, too. through the tone poem and had ideas for a possible direction Many guests became more than acquaintances and told us I wanted to go in. David was brilliant the way he creatively we were the drawing card that drew them back annually. went with me and drove us in that direction. I think we gave Some still remain friends. We literally watched families’ “Perdido Beach” sold well and is still available along Beach Resort was an unusual gig, and we made it what it it a life. Dakin told us Tennessee would have been pleased. became.children I’mgrow-up, still really and some proud even of that. wrote letters. The Perdido Not a day goes by without a thought of David. I mean fewwith night’s my other shows. CDs I onhave Amazon, the masters iTunes, and Spotify, have never and mosteven it. I think sometimes he is there with me. Ours’ was often lookedmusic sites at them. in downloads. Perhaps it Weis time. also professionallyWe were at our filmed zenith a a love-hate relationship with the atmosphere we worked then. in, not always pleasant. Dave was the most gifted pianist/ In the mid-2000s, I returned to Memphis to see my mother accompanist I have ever known. He ‘grew me.’ His artist’s through some illness. It turned into a two-year stay. David command and repertoire, knowledge was endless and was beginning to branch out with opportunities and offers. seemed effortless. He worked with Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. He was “Shelander” Continued...

3 Upcoming Events previously unknown by me, I have a deeper appreciation

Sept. 10 or 17 - Virtual Performance a more talented and stronger accompanist/partner than he. with more empathy and feeling about him. There was never details TBD He was also working on a Master’s degree. Details We had a sincere memorial ceremony for David with much Online Only - Stay Tuned for favorite protégé’ and a few special musician friends. It was veryhelp well from attended. James Atkins If a bomb and Gino had Rosaria,gone off, two the ofmusician Dave’s “Shelander” Continued... pool of Pensacola would have been drained. After his death, I contacted Marcia Kern, the Brazilian on an Asian tour, and was to go back out a few days after his vocalist he had recently recorded with. Dave had given me untimelytouring with death. a Motown Locally, Revue, he was a arevival mentor of forthe a Temptations few chosen protége who valued him and still are much thankful for the opportunity. Larry and Kathy Beall became close friends to ina rough Brazil. of It two-finishedwas lyrical, real, songs and from wonderful. Rio, I believe, Contacting upon herhis David and had a recorded music jazz party celebrating him throughreturn. He Facebook, loved Bossas I asked and if flourished she wanted in histo havetime anythingwith her at Seville Quarter. included at the funeral. She replied through an interpreter; “I Shelander had written a treatment of his late step-father, feel very honored to participate in away from the ceremony, through my words, so that everyone knows how much David William Brinkley’s novel “The Last Ship.” Brinkley was from us, certainly. And of the life you went away. NO!! Life known for his previous book, “Don’t Go Near the Water,” begincaptivated in you us. now.” He was very special. The angels live far away which became a feature film. The Last Ship had been Peace, accepted by TNT, filmed as a pilot with ten episodes ordered Marcia Kern and did appear on TV for several seasons. He had also Not too long before his untimely passing, for some reason, written music for it and the soundtrack for Treme’, filmed in New Orleans, which close friend Tom McDermott also played in. He and Tom spent much time in Brazil, exploring much. missI asked him David every howday. He he will felt forever about God. be my He “Piano replied Man.” without And the music and ethnocentric culture that influenced David so After I returned from Memphis, we started gigging again Ihesitation…”He’s will think of him all in right the songs with me.”along That the givesway. me comfort; I Find the Remembering David Shelander site on FaceBook felt our professional relationship had softened and come for more info and pictures. He has a CD with Sid Page, a when he was home. He brought me presents, and I finally almost full-circle. violinist with Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks. Not sure if it is And then he was gone. still available. Our Perdido Beach is on most music sites. Holly Shelton is a professional singer/cabaret artist. American Pie by Don McLean). Pianist David Shelander Happily married to Don Snowden, recently retired September 3rd, 2013. The Day the Music Died, (from suddenly passed away. He was running a day-time car Department-Head, Pensacola State College, Music and errand with a friend and ran inside to get his wallet, I was told. He had a heart attack and died. Just like that. I was Civic Band. paralyzed. I had said goodnight to him about 12-hours Theatre, Shelton Symphonyhas appeared player, locally, and nationally, Conductor and of internationally. the Pensacola previously. I vaguely recall lying in a crumpled heap on our Finishing a Master’s in Social Work in 2012, Shelton is a practicing psychotherapist, MSW, and until Covid-19 and silent, rubbing my back. I could not wrap my head worked in a behavioral hospital in Pensacola. She still sings living room floor, sobbing. Don sat on the couch, shocked around it. I still have not made peace with it. and hopes to get back to it when the smoke clears, and folks I often say that no one goes unscathed. Every artist has/ are healthy. had their demons, including this author. Working that many nights, years, in such a toxic environment had its stresses and emotional tolls. I hope that part wasn’t apparent to audiences. I choose to remember the positive times, David, when he was at his best, the wonderful people, faces, and what are you listening to? With so many of us at home and not able to go out to hear in inexplicable ways. what live jazz is available, we are listening instead to some of voices, I have I canwritten still thisrecall. at Theythe request stay with of Jazz me Society’sand nourish (JSOP) me our favorite phonograph records, CDs, MP3s and streaming musical events. Send me an email at [email protected] to learn more about the brilliant genius, David Shelander. so we have an idea of what are your favorites that help you ItCarolyn has given Tokson. me a I’d chance like to to thank look herat our for pastasking almost and caring as an while away the cares of COVID-19 and the challenges it observer. Knowing many things now, after David’s death brings.

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