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Courtesy Photo Dan Thomas will perform with his quintet June 10 at Jazz in June. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Jazz in June dedicated to Berman June 2008 ○○○○○○○○○○○○ By Tom Ineck ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Vol. 13, Number 3 LINCOLN, Neb.—Butch Courtesy Photo Berman devoted much of his final days to future plans—an April 14 ben- efit for Norman Hedman in New York City, a May 23 salute by the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra to the music of Russ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Long, and the upcoming Jazz in June In this issue of Jazz.... outdoor concert series. Grace’s tribute to Butch......................2 Though his death on Jan. 31 pre- vented him from experiencing these Celebration of Life................................6 events, the Berman Music Foun- Celebration of Life Photo Gallery........8 The Dynamic Les DeMerle Orchestra dation will continue to carry on his will perform June 17 at Jazz in June. Norman Hedman benefit concert........10 vision by participating in Jazz in June Tomfoolery: Springtime in NYC...........13 for the first time since 2004, when the have been afforded the opportunity to BMF sponsored the Eldar Djangirov experience outstanding talent and the NJO/Russ Long review........................15 Trio and the Kendra Shank Quartet. community’s has been educated Monty Alexander review.....................17 To show its appreciation for the BMF through countless artist’s work- Stefon Harris review...........................18 support through the years, the Jazz in shops.” NJO/Scott Wendholt review....................19 June folks are dedicating the 2008 Before each performance this series to Butch Berman. year, someone from the Lincoln jazz Jazz on Disc reviews...............................20 “For more than 10 years, the community will make a few remarks Randy Brecker review..........................24 Berman Music Foundation has served about Butch, his contribution to jazz Ruth Thone memorial to Butch.............25 as a valued partner, team member and in Lincoln and to Jazz in June. stakeholder to the Jazz in June music As always, the free concerts Letters to the Editor.............................26 series,” said Marthaellen Florence, begin at 7 p.m. every Tuesday in June From the Photo Archives..........................27 chair of Jazz in June. “Under the tu- on the plaza west of the Sheldon telage of Butch Berman, Jazz in June Museum of Art at 12th and R streets was able to bring many of the nation’s on the University of Nebraska-Lin- most accomplished jazz artist to the coln campus. stage. With the foundation’s generous contributions Jazz in June audiences Jazz in June continued on page 3 Page 2 Berman Music Foundation Jazz ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Tribute to husband, music lover, promoter ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ By Grace Sankey-Berman ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Seven years ago, I met Butch at File Photo not be at the top of the charts or be his house on a blind date. We were played on the popular radio stations. two different people from separate He spent countless hours collecting worlds. Butch, a hip musician, was great records and succeeded in col- witty and funny. On the other hand, I lecting an impressive array of musi- was a rather serious and up-tight cal gems. He was not only enthusias- woman from Africa. We seemed so tic about finding new music, but gen- different and yet it was easy for me erously wanted to share this music to fall in love with him. I found him with whoever was interested in lis- extremely honest and open about his tening to it. lifestyle and who he was, and he was Butch and Grace celebrate New Year’s Butch clamored for information not defensive about the decisions and Eve 2001. about music and musicians and was choices he made. It was very refresh- well versed with all the details of their ing to hear such honesty from some- Let me seize this moment to talk art and lives. His radio shows were one I had just met. I immediately felt about the life of the man I love, his like music history classes, but more safe with him and soon discovered love for music and vision to promote entertaining and in-depth. He played that we both had a passion for great unique forms of music. Butch worked great music and would talk to his au- music and much more. And so began relentlessly, locally and across the dience about the musicians and their our wonderful love affair. nation, producing records with great musical journey and about the artist We found each other at a time artists who otherwise may not have as man or woman. In other words he when we were both ready for a seri- been able to afford to cut a record. tried to humanize these great musi- ous relationship. My kids and I were He sponsored live performances lo- cians. I regret not paying more atten- very happy because Butch fit right in cally in venues like the Zoo bar, P.O. tion to the wealth of information he and we became a family. Butch was Pears and the Lied Center for Per- tried to share with me. May be it did totally committed and did not shy forming Arts, to mention a few, and not cross my mind that he would de- away from the responsibilities that in other parts of this country. The de- part so early. came with a new family. He became tails about the work he has done are His passion for music can also protective of us and provided for our well documented on the BMF be seen in how well-organized the every need in the best possible way. website. He wanted to educate people BMF museum, which is in his house, He loved my kids and tried to be a about the great music this country has is kept. Even though he had thousands good male influence to the boys. As a to offer, the kind of music that may of records, Butch knew exactly where to find almost every one of result, he has made a lasting and posi- Photo File tive impact in our lives. them. He handled each record or CD But on Jan. 31, I lost my hus- very carefully, as if it was the last one. band and lover. I could not have writ- Every record was meticulously ten this sooner because the pain was cleaned and preserved. He worked very intense and the emptiness I felt with almost surgical precision arrang- was deep. It is still hard to grasp that ing and rearranging stacks of records Butch is gone, and the finality of his and CDs and loved every minute of death is immensely difficult to deal it. He derived a lot of satisfaction from with. Butch was a free thinker who the knowledge that everything was in loved and celebrated life and I would order. like to honor that legacy. He lived and The BMF intends to keep his vi- loved passionately and I feel privileged sion alive and I would like to invite all to have been a part of his life, no matter how briefly it seems. Butch and Grace Grace continued on page 4 June 2008 Page 3 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Courtesy Photo Jazz in June continued from page 1 Again, the foundation will fund two of the four artists on the 2008 line- up—the Dan Thomas Quintet on June 10 and the Dynamic Les DeMerle Band, featuring singer Bonnie Eisele, on June 17. The other artists are the Darryl White Group on June 3 and Jazz is published online at: the Lao Tizer Band on June 24. www.bermanmusicfoundation.org “Jazz in June continues to value The office of The Berman Mu- contributions of BMF and Butch sic Foundation is at 719 P St.,, Berman,” Florence said. “We also Suite C-1, Lincoln, NE 68508. recognize that there was a great value Editor and Designer: in Butch’s decision to engage his foun- Tom Ineck dation in the philanthropic process. Contributing writerswriters: Tom When those who share a commitment Darryl White to one another share an equally heart- Ineck, Grace Sankey-Berman and Ruth Thone felt commitment to something beyond DeMerle toured 12 years with big the community both are enhanced.” band trumpet master Harry James Photographers: Rich A jazz educator teaching saxo- and has played with the likes of Lionel Hoover, Tom Ineck, Butch phone and jazz history at the Univer- Hampton, The Manhattan Transfer Berman and others (File sity of Missouri-Kansas City, Dan and Red Allen. Vocalist Bonnie Eisele, Photos) Thomas has been a favorite of the DeMerle’s wife, specializes in rendi- For inclusion of any jazz or foundation for several years. He per- tions of jazz classics and breezy Bra- blues related events, letters to formed with his group in September zilian ballads. The Florida-based band the editor or suggested 2004, as part of the Berman Jazz Se- also features pianist Mike Levine and articles, mail them to the ries in Topeka, Kan. His recording bassist Jamie Ousley. office, phone (402) 476-3112, fax (402) 475-3136 or e-mail “City Scope” was reviewed that same Darryl White, professor of trum- [email protected]. year, and “Musical Sanctuary” was pet at the University of Nebraska-Lin- reviewed on its release the following coln since 1997, will make his first To be added to our mailing year. The Canadian-born jazz educa- Jazz in June appearance as a leader list, call (402) 476-3112, fax tor also was the subject of a feature since 2003. He will be accompanied (402) 475-3136 or e-mail [email protected]. interview in the August 2004 edition by a diverse group of top-flight play- of the BMF newsletter. ers—saxophonist Dave Pietro, pianist The Butch Berman The Dan Thomas Quintet in- Jeff Jenkins, bassist Craig Akin, drum- Charitable Music cludes Joe Parisi on trumpet and mer Brandon Draper and percussion- Foundation is a non-profit, tax flugelhorn, Brandon Draper on drums, ist Michael Pujado.

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