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Jokum Fest 2010 |
Shawn Stecker |
420 Flight |
Canary & Shawn |
Phantom & Bobo |
Hugh & Steve |
Jeff Herzog |
John Marshall |
Billy & Cindy |
Bill & Linda |
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VICTORY
HEIGHTS JOKUM FEST 2010
The eighth annual Victory Heights Jokum Fest for 2010 was on Saturday,
August 21st this year. The event once again took place at Schudie's Grotto
in the Victory Heights neighborhood of North Seattle. Jokermania alumnus Gary Schudie
graciously opened up his backyard to welcome an enthusiastic all age crowd between the hours
of 4:00 and 10:00pm.
This year's event was co-organized by Don Buss and Shawn Stecker, both performers in the show.
The festival featured live music, Manny's Pale Ale (Georgetown Brewery), boneless barbequed pork ribs,
vegetarian chili and plenty of side dishes. A massive sound system was provided by Jeff Herzog (of the Jet City Fliers)
and enabled more than adequate reinforcement for spectators listening pleasure. Jeff also decorated this year's stage
with Mardi Gras and other festive ornamentation; a stunning sight for all attendees.
A fair weather day with no sign of precipitation, the music got
going just minutes after 4:00. Shawn Stecker opened the show, performing
a set on acoustic guitar, with a nice mix of mostly original folk
and country pieces. This was Shawn's second year appearing at Jokum
Fest. "Yellowstone", "Thanks For Everything" and the prophetic "Another
Rainy Day" got things off to a nice easy pace. He was then joined
by Jeff Herzog on harmonica and later Billy Reed on piano.
The second set presented the return of 420 Flight, a band put together
especially for Jokum Fest. Shawn Stecker's compositions "Lost
in a Shuffle", "Don't Sweep the Leaves", "Road
To Heaven" and the band's namesake "420 Flight" initiated
this project. This year Shawn added several new pieces to the mix
including "Yellow Knife" and "Lady Moon". Billy
Reed was once again on piano, contributing lead vocals on "BCNU",
"Good Luck Charm" and "Orange Juice Blues".
Along with Shawn, Jack Cook played guitar and sang his composition
"Bobo Boogie", a song toasting Bobo and Fifi, former residents
of Woodland Park Zoo. A Bobo impersonator made the scene and worked
the crowd up into a blues frenzy. Don Buss joined 420 on
bass, coming out of retirement after a nearly 40 year hiatus. His
diligent rehearsing earlier this year paid off and he was back in
flight again. The quintet was rounded off with the ambitious drumming
of Matt Fogdall, making a first year appearance at summer Jokum.
For the second year in a row the Polish Canary serenaded Jokermania
fans with cool renditions of "Bummin" Around", "It's
All Your Fault" and "Red Wagon", harmonizing on the
later with a touring Steller Jay who happened to be in the audience.
The Phantoms of Soul took center set this year with a nicely put
together brand of solid Blues and almost Jazz. The band's lineup of
longtime Phantoms included: Jack Cook on vocals/guitar, Al Farlow
on clarinet/saxes, Steve Branca on electric bass and the return of
Billy Spaulding on drums. Al Farlow's silver clarinet was featured
on an upbeat version of Duke Ellington's "Perdido" and Gene Ammon's
"Red Top". Also back this year was Jokum alumnus Hugh Sutton on piano/accordion.
Hugh also sang lead on the gypsy swing number "See You In My Dreams"
and the sentimental ballad "We'll Meet Again". Mr. Sutton's talents
don't stop with his music. Hugh's drawings of Jokermania legends have
been a staple of the timeless "Elliott Bay" project. A new banner
for Jokum Fest displays one of his earlier efforts simply known as
"Poor Dudlow". John Marshall likewise made his reappearance with the
Phantoms on vocals & harmonica. John sang two of his own compositions:
"Slave Labor Blues", about copyright infringement and "Mr. Counter
Clockwise", John's own self portrait. He also added Charlie Rich's
"Yum Yum" to the mix and closed with Jack on the Denny Palatine NW
rock & roll classic "Bug Out".
Jeff Herzog made his first appearance at Jokum Fest this year,
as did Jet City Flier guitarist Bill Lovey. The rhythm section included
Billy Reed on keyboards, Patty Mey on bass and Billy Spaulding on
drums. The Jet City Fliers' brand of roadhouse blues made for an
enjoyable last two sets. The Fliers opened with "Wrapped Up In Love"
featuring Bill Lovey on vocals, sporting a hard & funky groove.
Jeff picked up the pace shouting Louis Jordan's "Let The Good Times
Roll" and blowing some fierce Mississippi saxophone. "Crawfish Walk"
and "Love And War" keep the show moving. Billy Reed took the lead
vocal spot on Bo Diddley's "Before You Accuse Me" with Jeff & Bill
harmonizing on the chorus. About the time Jeff & the Fliers got
around to their sixth song "My Next Ex Wife" some expected
but a little premature liquid sunshine started making its first
showing. By the time they finished their next number "What
Other World" a short break was required to rearrange the stage.
A first year weather stall barely slowed down the event. The Canary
got the family to pitch in, move tables and get all the food
undercover. With a snap of the fingers the Buss Clan jumped in and
tents were set up for the audience and the front of the stage area.
The Jet City Fliers marched on until 10:00 when the party, as is custom,
moved downstairs where the Canary did his late show.
Axel, the highjacker
NW Resonator Correspondent
Photos by Peggy Kelley & Raymond Barrow
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