Welcome to ‘Remember When.’ This is a chance for Savannah art veterans to reminisce on some of their favorite events in the city’s history. Whether it’s a concert, theater production, festival, visual art show, dance production, or comedy show, Savannah has a long history of memorable art and now is as good a time as any to look back on some of the best.
Today, we’re catching up with Dave Lake, who runs the show over at WRUU. If you’re unfamiliar with WRUU, it’s Savannah’s community radio station—featuring a huge variety of shows spanning genres and subjects. Lake has been a proponent and supporter of arts in Savannah since moving to town in the 90s, and the station is his latest effort to help nurture independent radio in our city.
Dave decided to dig into the 1997 Savannah Jazz Festival, which took place at Forsyth Park. It was a landmark experience for him—something he says cemented his love of the city and ultimately the pride he felt as a new Savannahian.
The Savannah Jazz Festival still goes strong to this day, but can certainly be seen as being ahead of its time; around long before some of the most prominent music festivals and events in our city.
What sticks out in your mind about the ‘97 festival?
In the mid 90’s when I moved to Savannah, there was not much reason to come downtown. A black mayor had just been elected and there was a lot of racial tension in town. But seeing the mixture of ages, races and economic circumstances at the Savannah Jazz Festival restored my faith in the Savannah community and in the power of music to unite the city.
At that time in Savannah, what was the music scene like?
There was no Savannah Music Festival. There were some music clubs in town, but not the range of music that is around today. There were a limited number of restaurants and not the large number of great restaurants we have today. I didn’t feel safe walking at night downtown.
Where were you in your career and life at that point?
I had come to Savannah in 1994 as the first Department Head of Physical Therapy at what was then Armstrong State College. So I was mid-career as a physical therapy educator, but early in the development of this new program.
Our first graduates of the PT Program were in 1997. The faith in Savannah that came to me at the 1997 Savannah Jazz Festival inspired me to stay in Savannah and make it my home.
Is there one moment from the festival that you remember most fondly?
I am sure one of the reasons that I came to the Savannah Jazz Festival was the appearance of Kenny Barron, the fabulous jazz pianist (in fact, we were to see him again here in Savannah as he was to be at the SMF 2020). But the impression of that festival is not what went on but the overall impression of pride in Savannah that I felt.
This article appears in May 13-19, 2020.
I’m glad to see Dave bring up the 1997 Savannah Jazz Festival. It was memorable in many ways, not all of them good. The bad part was mostly that it rained all weekend, so the Friday and Saturday of the festival was moved from Forsyth Park to the Johnny Mercer Theater. This meant that none of our vendors could come with us. It also meant that our audience would be limited to the hardcore Savannah jazz fans. There was never more than 500 people in the audience at any one time.
The music, however, was outstanding. Like most of our festivals, the early part of the week featured local and regional acts in clubs and other venues in the city. Friday and Saturday featured the major talent. Friday night’s headlining act was saxophonists Vincent Herring and Bunky Green performing a tribute to Sonny Stitt. In the end, it was both a joyous and a very sad occasion. On the joyous side, the saxophonists put on a great battle, though it must be said that Bunky Green totally smoked Vincent Herring. On the sad side, Savannah native Samarai Celestial (Eric Walker) – formerly of the Sun Ra Arkestra – was the chosen drummer for that performance. But during the middle of the first number, to the bewilderment of all, he got up and walked off stage. Fortunately another drummer (Woody Williams) volunteered to come on stage and play the rest of the set. It turned out that Samarai was having trouble breathing due to some heart issues. He died just two months later, on his 43rd birthday. This night was his final public performance.
Saturday was a very special day for those of us who made it through the heavy rain and into the Mercer. The day started with the Savannah High Blue Light Jazz Band (the predecessor of today’s Savannah Arts Skylite Jazz Band) and a couple of military jazz bands. The national acts started with the Tana Reid Quintet, followed by drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath’s Quintet (Tootie is the brother of jazz legends Jimmy Heath and Percy Heath). Both acts presented some great straight ahead jazz, the kind of stuff that the Savannah Jazz Festival has been known for over the years. Next up was baritone sax master Nick Brignola and trumpeter Claudio Roditi, performing with the Savannah Jazz Orchestra. Brignola was especially impressive.
As longtime followers of the Savannah Jazz Festival know, for many years Savannah native Ben Riley would bring a great group to our festival. This time it was the group Sphere. Sphere was formed as a tribute band to Thelonious Monk shortly after Monk’s passing. Originally the group featured two alumni of Monk’s groups: drummer Ben Riley and saxophonist Charlie Rouse. The rest of the group consisted of pianist Kenny Baron and bassist Buster Williams. Sphere disbanded for a time after Rouse’s death in 1988. They reunited a few years later with Gary Bartz taking Rouse’s place. It was that version of the group that played at our 1997 festival. They were stunning! It was a magnificent performance. The only bad thing about it was that so few people saw it.
The final act of the night was one that ended up playing our festival several times, Pucho and His Latin Soul Brothers. This was the first time that they played for us. Savannah native and member of the Savannah Jazz Hall of Fame, alto sax man Eddie Pazant was a member of the group. They tore the house down! There were conga lines going around and through the Johnny Mercer Theater. It was a super time. Again, the only bad thing about it was that so few people saw it.
The 1997 Savannah Jazz Festival was one of our best, though least attended festivals. Thanks to Dave for bringing up some wonderful memories.
Skip Jennings
Longtime MC for the
Savannah Jazz Festival