Mission City Opens
2011-12 ATJS Season
Mission City Hot Rhythm Cats Concert Photos 2011
By Dave Stoddard
The 2011-12 Austin Traditional Jazz Society opened with a notable concert by the Mission City Rhythm Cats of San Antonio. This is the fourth ATJS appearance by Mission City, and they have firmly established themselves as one of the best traditional jazz ensembles in Central Texas.
Mission City opened and closed the concert with two favorites by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, Sensation Rag and Fidgety Feet. The rest of their tune list was an interesting stroll through the traditional jazz repertoire. Two selections were unusual, tunes played by no other bands in the area so far as this reviewer is aware. They were both presented as Name That Tune, and both stumped the audience. Shagtown Jubilee turned out to be a 1991 opus by cornet player David Jellema. Duff Campbell’s Revenge is a Turk Murphy test piece in the challenging key of D-flat. Revenge has been played by Mission City at previous ATJS concerts, but as no one else plays it the melody hasn’t stuck.
David Jellema is well-known for his lyrical cornet playing in the fashion of Bix Beiderbecke. In addition to the two ODJB tunes (both recorded by Bix), the Rhythm Cats offered up I’ll Be a Friend With Pleasure, Somebody Stole My Gal, Rhythm King and Susie. The Bixian styling was evident, but David plays other styles as well, and was at home on evergreen favorites such as Saint James Infirmary and Struttin’ With Some Barbecue.
The Rhythm Cats tore through the old New Orleans march High Society, with the Picou Chorus ably presented by Pierre Poree on clarinet, followed by a nice piano solo by Mark Hess and a good trombone chorus by Mike Pittsley. Pierre Poree is an accomplished vocalist, and showed off his pipes on the George Gershwin opus S’Wonderful and the Kid Ory standard Muskrat Ramble. Pierre and David Jellema also presented clarinet duets on Seven Come Eleven and Moonglow.
Trombonist Mike Pittsley recently rejoined the Jim Cullum Jazz Band after a long hiatus. Mike was featured on Lover Come Back to Me and the Jack Teagarden signature tune I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues. He also offered his customary solid ensemble work.
This was a fine start to the 2011-12 ATJS season. The Rhythm Cats have a great deal of talent which they mold to great advantage. The rhythm section of Mark Hess on piano, newcomer Dave Deering on string bass and Ed Torres on drums was steady all afternoon. Solid ensemble passages were followed by lyrical solos. The tune list was interesting but included some familiar standards. These were all ingredients for success.
