Our Readers Write

Sun was shining on ‘Blue Skies’
Editor:
The recent presentation of “Blues Skies Smiling At Me” by the Evergreen Chorale and Queen City Jazz Band was an absolute joy, three performances within two days and nights. This was a pioneering effort in this area and was initiated in a meeting of local arts organizations. Ted Mann represented the Evergreen Jazz Festival, and he found a willing, enthusiastic ally in Christine Gaudreau, artistic and music director of the Chorale. Jazz is not always treated well in circumstances like this, but Christine gave it plenty of TLC and a pioneering spirit. May we have the good fortune to have this collaboration become an annual event.
With the addition of guest flutist Marc Stocker (with piano accompanist) and a contingent of young people from the Evergreen Children’s Chorale, audiences were treated to a wide variety of music, including the title tune “Blue Skies” by Irving Berlin and “A Nightingale Sang In Barkley Square.” There was also a veiled threat of QCJB vocalist Wende Harston being woman-napped by the Chorale. This woman is a dynamite performer and deserves greater recognition than what she gets.
Jazz was recognized on the front page of the June 19 Denver Post in the person of Mr. Charlie Burrell of Denver, bassist with both the former Denver Symphony and the current Colorado Sympony Orchestra. He has been termed the Jackie Robinson of classical music, breaking the color line in both the DSO and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. Now 90 years old and retired, Burrell, a noted jazz musician as well, was honored by the Evergreen Jazz Festival last year. As friend Jim Cullum quotes Louie Armstrong: “Jazz is played from the heart. You can live by it. Always love it.”
Sterling Nelson
Evergreen

March of Dimes says thanks to Evergreen
Editor:
The March of Dimes would like to thank the people of Evergreen for their support of our recent Jail & Bail charitable event. More than $2,500 was raised, thanks to the efforts of our “jailbirds,” their donors and our host,  Stagecoach Sports Grill. This achievement will fund our programs to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. A special thanks to Evergreen’s top jailbird, D.J. Himstedt of Legal Investigations Inc., who raised $1,000 for healthy babies.
The March of Dimes is proud to fund research, services and education to help Colorado moms, babies and families. We invite any group in the state that provides infant and maternal health care to apply for a grant. Plus, our Pregnancy and Newborn Health Education Center is available 24/7 with free information for every mom, dad and parent-to-be. More may be learned about March of Dimes healthy-baby resources at www.marchofdimes.com or by calling 303-692-0011.
Again, Evergreen, thanks!
Becky Herlinger
communications director
March of Dimes Colorado Chapter