Society president sounds alert to enliven jazz scene

At a time when membership is dwindling, the group will target high school musicians and community events in an effort to find new faces.

By LOGAN NEILL, Times Staff Writer
Published September 7, 2007

Ed Lawrence, who is serving his third term as the Hernando Jazz Society's president since the its formation 13 years ago, isn't exactly sure why membership has dropped from a high of about 400 to less than half that. "We must stop this trend," Lawrence wrote. "This music is much too important to let it die."
	[Danny Ghitis | Times]

SPRING HILL - Ed Lawrence considers himself an optimist. Faced with the knowledge that the Hernando Jazz Society has been losing upward of 40 members a year for the past several years, he believes that better days are just around the corner.

"I have to believe," says the 78-year-old club president. "It would be a shame to see the society fade away after all of the hard work we've put into it and all the good that's come out it."

In his president's message in the society's September newsletter, Lawrence appealed to his fellow jazz hounds, many of whom are active musicians, to spread the word about the club and its impact on local jazz fans.

"We must stop this trend," Lawrence wrote. "This music is much too important to let it die."

Lawrence, who is serving his third term as president since the society's formation 13 years ago, isn't exactly sure why membership has dropped from a high of about 400 to less than half that.

Undoubtedly, a number of the original members have died or are unable to participate in the club's activities anymore. Lawrence also suspects that the jazz of his generation may not have the same appeal to younger audiences.

"Most of us are from the era of big bands and the music of Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong," Lawrence said. "That may not be what younger people like to listen to when it comes to jazz."

Club treasurer Frank Domick said that although the society contributes thousands of dollars in annual scholarships to Hernando County music students, few ever attend the club's monthly Sunday jazz jam and dance series in Spring Hill.

But a guest appearance this past spring by Tampa big-band stalwart Dan McMillion drew about 150 more patrons than usual, many of whom were in their 40s and 50s.

"It was nice to see some new faces," Domick said. "We need to figure out how to keep them coming back."

Lawrence said he plans to meet with local high school band directors to extend an invitation for young jazz musicians to come to the monthly open jam sessions. In addition, he is looking to have more community jazz performances to draw more attention to the club.

On Nov. 3 and 4, the society will join the Hernando County Fine Arts Council in presenting A Taste of Jazz at Weeki Wachee Springs. The event will feature local and national jazz musicians, food vendors and artists.

Lawrence is betting that the event will give the society a much-needed spark.

"We need to do something," he said. "We need to make sure the music goes on after we're all gone."

Logan Neill can be reached at lneill@sptimes.com or 352 848-1435.

If you go

Hernando Jazz Society

What: Season-opening Jazz Sunday dance and concert

When: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday

Where: SNPJ Hall, 13383 County Line Road, Spring Hill

Admission: $7 for nonmembers. Light refreshments will beavailable.

Information: Call 666-4842

[Last modified September 6, 2007, 20:29:28]