The weather godesses shined on us this year for the 14th Annual Jazz Brunch and Basin City Jazz Art Experience.  The community hall was transformed by the art work of a few of our past residents, founders, and volunteers whom we chose to honor this year.  From book covers and web pages to paintings to ceramic garden urns – the interior was a feast for the eyes.

Honored were past residents Michael Haykin and Jeneese Hilton, both painters; founder Nan Parsons, painters; and supporters and volunteers Patrick Eckman, potter, Jim Poor, painter, Patti Borneman, web designer, and Melissa Kwasny and Rick Newby, writers. 

Jazz standards by the Kelly Roberti Sextet provided the feast for the ears.  (see at right)

In keeping with expanding our definition of jazz beyond musical idioms – Capo del Arte′ Mary Lee Larison produced spontaneous creative explorations with unexpected consequences between rotating pairs of artists, each from a different discipline, in various venues throughout downtown Basin. 

Below, Doug Turman and Phoebe Toland (that's Penny Swanson with her back to us) and Katie Knight and Jerry Rankin (next image) surprised us all with their on-the-spot collaborations! 

Open studios, including live interviews with resident photographer Erika on her web broadcast radiofreeerika.net , and a gallery show of Butte art organized by Glenn Bodish of Butte Silver Bow Arts Foundation www.bsbarts.org  added to the eclectic offerings. 

Afternoon jazz sets also stretched the meaning of jazz, with the spirit-lifting rhythm and blues of  Frances Stewart and the Rhythm Rockers and more from Kelly Roberti and his musicians,  playing gospel, fifties noir, little big band and more. People were dancing up a storm!  This wonderful day of  “jazzn’art” ended with kabobs and contemporary jazz sounds from the Turman Quintet at the High Note Espresso and Art Gallery.

Pencil us in for the second Sunday in June on your 2007 calendar! You do not want to miss another Basin City Jazz Art Experience again!