Down On The Corner

By Paul Moffett

An extremely interesting exhibit is coming to the Louisville Science Center , beginning with a fund-raising preview on January 21. The preview is entitled Science With A Twist: The Biggest Gig of the Year and the new exhibit is GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked The World. The dates of the exhibit are January 22- April 22, 2012.

As for the preview, here's what you get: a strolling hors d'oeuvres dinner, live music, cocktails, karaoke and All Access: Front Row Backstage LIVE!, a behind the scenes concert documentary in IMAX. The Louisville Crashers will headline the main event, which costs $100. For a mere $250, you get all the above plus access to the Power Hour Reception, the Backstage VIP Lounge and an exclusive concert with legendary guitarist Rick Derringer.

Complete details are at http://louisvillescience.org/site/events-article/science-with-a-twist-the-biggest-gig-of-the-year.html.

The Jazz Education Network's 2012 Conference is happening in Louisville January 4 through January 7 at the Galt House. It will bring hundreds of teachers and students to town. The conference – the Chicago-based jazz teachers/students advocacy group's third – will include more than 100 concerts on five stages by musicians from around the United States, as well as top school ensembles. Besides that, there will be more than 90 clinics/panel discussions/workshops are scheduled on a variety of topics regarding the jazz music industry. All the details, including schedules, can be found at http://www.jazzednet.org/1/en/node/1183. In short, it's a big deal for jazz musicians and fans.
Best of all, they need volunteers to help out and a mere four hours of volunteer work will get you credentials for all the events. Contact info is http://www.jazzednet.org/en/contact

It does appear that the Europeans appreciate Louisville music more than we do here: UK's Faber & Faber is set to release Will Oldham On Bonnie "Prince" Billy, a book-length interview/discussion between Will Oldham and journalist/musician Alan Licht. The release date is 1/3/2012 but you can order it – in British pounds – online at http://www.faber.co.uk. Here's some of the accompanying text:

"W – Sweeney called me and said that Johnny Cash just recorded "I See A Darkness." We had a Bowery Ballroom show a week or two later, and he invited Rick Rubin to come to the show; he came to the show … and asked if I wanted to play piano on the song. A – Which you agreed to do despite not knowing how to play piano. W – Yes…"

Codas

Carby, John E. 62, died on December 12, 2011. He was a guitarist who played in several Louisville bands, including The Profiles, Christopher Robin, The Pat Thomas Band, George Chapell and The Flatland Pickers, The King Bees and Dog House Kitchen.

Pantoja, Mario A, 54, died on December 1, 2011. He was a freelance musician.

Pickhardt, Ryan K ., 30, of New Albany, Indiana passed away on December 7, 2011. He was a piano player and member of Sativa Gumbo, the Gumbo Family Quartet and The Wingers.

Thom, Betty , 75, died on December 4, 2011. She was a singer, banjo player and co-founder of The Cumberlands , along with her husband Harold Thom.

Whitlow, Jane Kinman, 85, died in Louisville on December 17, 2011. For six months she played in the Jack Semple all girl band during World War II and played at the Bluegrass Room in the Brown Hotel. She formed a band with her brother Bill and Glenn Hunter called The Entertainers. She also played saxophone for the New Tones, formerly The Mellotones.