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Music organization struggling to survive

The Bakersfield Californian | Wednesday, Aug 26 2009 04:33 PM

Last Updated Wednesday, Aug 26 2009 04:35 PM

Trombonist Randy Fendrick tells me a local organization that benefits student musicians is about to fold.

The group he's referring to isn't Southside Chicago Seven, a band that's been around for more than 20 years and is led by Fendrick and trumpet player Bob Snyder. As far as I know, it's still alive and kicking and playing the mellow music of the 1930s and '40s.

The group he has in mind is the Golden Empire Hot Jazz Society, which has sent about 50 kids to the Sacramento Jazz Camp each summer since 1996.

The group raises the tuition money by sponsoring monthly Sunday afternoon dances with live music.

But attendance has fallen off and Fendrick, who is the society's business manager, said the dance on Sept. 6 at the Elks Club may be its last.

"There is a possibility the organization might survive," he said, "but at this point it's like rearranging the chairs on the Titanic."

Jazz pianist Micah Nacita, age 18, attended the camp this year and often plays with the Southside Seven, the featured band at the society's Elks Club dances.

"Micah is an incredible pianist," Fendrick said. "She's been sitting in with us all year, and she is a teenage wonder."

Incidentally, I'm happy to second Fendrick's comments about Nacita. I heard her play a few months ago when she performed as part of a trio at a concert held at Rosewood Retirement Community. Her fluid style and ability to improvise is remarkable.

In a phone interview a few days ago, I asked Nacita about her experience in Sacramento.

"It was great," she said. "We just jammed and played jazz all week long. I hope the (society) can continue -- it's been really good for me and for a lot of other people too."

Nacita graduated in June from Bakersfield Christian High School with a 4.97 GPA. She studied classical music for 12 years and, over a period of several years, has taken private lessons in jazz piano from Doug Davis, music professor at Cal State Bakersfield. In a few weeks, she will leave for the fall quarter at UCLA, where she is enrolled as a music major.

The society also sent two other students to the jazz camp this summer, Fendrick said. For the third summer in a row, the organization sponsored David Giertz. A drummer, he will attend Fresno State as a music major.

Matthew Nisson, a tenor sax player who goes to Tevis Junior High, went for the first time this year and Fendrick said the society would like to send him again next year. But that won't happen if the organization's 30 or so members can't come up with the money.

So, as Fendrick said, the Sept. 6 dance is critical to its existence. His advice to those who might be interested: "Bring your dancing shoes -- the Elks have one of the best floors in Bakersfield."

'Wizard of Oz' auditions

Auditions for Bakersfield Community Theatre's "Wizard of Oz" will be held at the playhouse, 2400 S. Chester Ave., over a period of two days on the upcoming Labor Day weekend, according to Edward E. French, publicity director.

The first is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 5; the second from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 7. Those who try out should come prepared to sing 15 bars of a song that is similar in style but not the same as any songs that are in the movie version, French said.

"Wizard" is BCT's first Youth Theatre production of the season. Performances are slated for Nov. 6-15. For details, call 831-8114.