John D'earth to receive Artist/Educator Award!
Friday, November 13, 8:00pm
On Friday November 13th, the Charlottesville Jazz Society will present the annual Artist/Educator Award to jazz trumpeter, composer and teacher John D’earth. The award will be given to D’earth during the UVA Jazz Ensemble’s performance at Old Cabell Hall on the grounds of the University of Virginia.
The Charlottesville Jazz Society presented the first of these awards in 2008 to keyboardist and long time local favorite George Melvin. The award was created to formally recognize the contributions of some of the extraordinary musicians who contribute so much to the Charlottesville area not only musically, but also through teaching and donating their time and talents to social causes that are important to our town.
Perhaps the most recognizable jazz figure in Charlottesville, John D’earth certainly meets all of the above criteria and then some. His weekly Thursday night Thompson D’earth Band performances at Miller’s (co-led by his wife Dawn Thompson), have been a Charlottesville tradition for more years than he can remember. He is a co-founder of the popular UVA faculty jazz ensemble The Free Bridge Quintet, and is director of the UVA Jazz Ensemble. Perhaps his greatest attribute is his obvious enthusiasm for jazz, which he so readily transmits to the many students of all ages he has taught over the years.
The award from the CJS consists of both a physical memento and a financial component. All jazz fans are encouraged to come to the jazz ensemble’s concert November 13th and help celebrate this occasion with John. The presentation will be made at the end of the first set, in which the group will perform music associated with Friday the 13th.
For more information, contact the Charlottesville Jazz Society by emailing Info@Cvillejazz.org, or by calling 434.249.6191.
