The Professors jazz band was named by Ken and Flossie Coulter of the Mammoth Lakes Jazz Jubilee, and consists of the faculty of the Mammoth Lakes Jazz Camp, who also teach at the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society Jazz Camps (Youth and Adult). The group was assembled by Camp Director Bill Dendle, and all were chosen not only because of their capabilities as performers, but also for their ability to teach effectively, and to entertain. The result is a wonderfully inventive, creative, and extemporaneous jazz band that is totally unpredictable, funny, amazing and thoroughly musical.

The band has never held a rehearsal, nor does it need to. What you will hear on this recording is part of the final concert of the STJS Adult Trad Jazz Camp at Sly Park on the night of August 7, 2004. All arranging of the music is done "on the fly," with Rusty Stiers leading the way on trumpet, and the rest listening for his cues. But it's not only Rusty who shapes the performances; all of the Professors suggest, lead, and listen simultaneously, and the resulting performance is truly "jazz."

At the camps, we emphasize improvisation, both group and solo, and the Professors provide the best example of how a band can literally improvise an entire performance with no discussions, no arrangements, no charts, no prior planning - we just listen to each other and respond. The fact is that all the players have years of experience with the music, and instantly understand what is appropriate. There is complete mutual respect and admiration, and we love to play together.

THE PROGRAM

Cakewalkin' Babies: A trad favorite, performed with appropriate enthusiasm, and solos by all.

Buddy Bolden's Blues: A drum solo on a blues? Only with Ed Metz, Jr. thank you.

I Never Knew: A bit more "swingy" with fine solos from all.

Embraceable You: Shelley's beautiful vocal, followed by Bill's adequate trombone.

William Tell Overture: I can't imagine any other tuba player even attempting this. Listen past the humor, and hear how beautifully Westy plays.

Since My Best Gal Turned Me Down: A classic example of how the band's experience translates into performance. No one said anything about the Bix recording, but we fell into the half-time/double-time arrangement with no problems.

Willow Weep For Me: Jason Wanner, the youngest professor, is a graduate of the STJS camp, and just plays amazingly!

I'll Be Glad When You're Dead, You Rascal You: Ed Metz, Jr., gives it a Black Dog feel, and Rusty Stiers leads the way with his brilliant trumpet. The descending key changes are an interesting switch. Greg Varlotta, of Disney's Side Street Strutters, who teaches trombone at the STJS camp, sneaked in with his tap shoes on.

I've Got My Fingers Crossed: A great old tune that Shelley learned from a Louis Armstrong recording. Just plain fun!

Panama: This is vintage "Professsors;" after all the solos, listen for the metamorphosis into a waltz, then a march, then back to hard-driving trad jazz, all with no planning, no discussion, not even a hand signal. It just happens!