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| The Jim Cullum Jazz Band in Russia Texas jazz icons, The Jim Cullum Jazz Band from the River Walk in San Antonio, are in the midst of an elaborate tour of Russian philharmonic halls. The band's first concert on April 6, held at Moscow's prestigious Performing Arts Center was televised throughout Russia on the Kultura TV network, enhancing interest and ticket sales for the remaining concerts. 'The audiences have been tremendous, ' said band clarinetist Ron Hockett. 'Many numbers stopped the show as the sustained applause and cheers ran on and on.' Some of the concerts have been interrupted by repeated standing ovations. Presenting a program of varied material ranging from Louis Armstrong originals to classic tunes by George Gershwin, Cole Porter and simple blues, the highlight so far has been an up-tempo blues tune set in a minor key composed by legendary San Antonio bandleader Clifford 'Boots' Douglas. 'We recently worked up the Boots piece for our February U.S. radio broadcast direct from The Carver Center in San Antonio, ' said Jim Cullum. 'We also have been folding in a short version of 'Moscow Nights' — known in the U.S. as 'Midnight in Moscow.' The Russian audiences have been applauding wildly, then going into sustained rhythmic applause. In the band's entire 45-year history we've never seen such audience response. We don't speak Russian, but they sure understand what we're saying with these instruments. I find it interesting that we seem to be known here already, thanks to the worldwide streaming of our weekly radio show on the Internet from our website at www.riverwalkjazz.org.' The easternmost point of the tour will be a concert in the Siberian outpost city of Chita. On that day, the band members will be at a point on the globe that will be actually closer to their San Antonio homes if they continued on eastward across the Pacific than returning back westward across the Atlantic. But return westward they will, playing concerts in cities located along the legendary Trans-Siberian Railroad. The Jim Cullum Jazz Band, a 7-piece acoustic jazz ensemble, is recognized worldwide for its commitment to performing, promoting, and preserving classic jazz with authenticity and integrity. Together for over 40 years, with more than 45 recordings to its credit, the band stars on Riverwalk Jazz, the nationally broadcast public radio series, now in its 16th season, distributed by PRI, Public Radio International; and is also heard around the world via the Internet. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |