It’s not easy being an accomplished musician in Jacksonville. Indeed, for our distinguished players, decent paying gigs are hard to find. Many of Jacksonville’s elite musicians teach to make ends meet. More significantly, these musicians are famous in certain circles, and they make their home here Jacksonville. Of course, one of them is Teddy Washington, who,over the years, has carved out an international reputation as a stellar trumpet player and band leader.

In creating and producing the Jacksonville Follies Awards, Teddy’s mission was to stage an annual cultural event that both highlights and recognizes the contributions of our local star musicians by giving them awards, while simultaneously showcasing their talent on-stage.

Teddy has a grandiose vision for the future of this annual event, by expanding the scope into exceptional individuals in education, art, and public figures. Each year he plans to publish an annual nomination list, first in Jacksonville, and then the surrounding areas, finally, throughout the state. Ultimately, Teddy envisions this a show of shows that involves the past, present, and the youth, which represent the future.

This year, Teddy highlighted fourteen individuals. Fifty local children received free tickets. Teddy welcomed the past Jacksonville Jazz Festival inductees and two educators who rounded out the show.

Joyce Morgan Danford was the Master of Ceremonies and Teddy and his band The Point After opened the show with an Overture of Duke Ellington, Stevie Wonder, and Burt Bacherach’s popular songs. Stevie "Fingers " Saracson soloed on his portable keyboard, playing an original piece Funk 2006 & One Half. Then he received his award.

And so it went, as well known Jacksonville musicians were featured from the band and given awards. Veteran tenor saxophonist, Ray Love played a beautifully toned version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow, and then he received his award. Throughout the show, there were many deserving musicians receiving awards, including my friend and master drummer, Von Barlow.

Unlike many award shows on television (the Oscars, et al) the production of the Follies moved smoothly and without comment by the musicians receiving awards. This made it more of a showcase rather than a boring awards show. Most of Teddy’s band members deservedly received awards. The focus was on the music and with the awards handed out in rapid succession, which made this presentation special and entertaining.

Teddy and the band played out the first half of the show with Fly Me to The Moon and Morning. With an all-star hall-of-fame band, Teddy sang and played trumpet, showcasing his exciting showmanship and charismatic persona. This show harkened back to the golden age of jazz in the 1940s and 50s when bands played large ballrooms and auditoriums. I thought it was refreshing to witness this civilized formality again, as a change from the hectic rock concerts that I frequently cover where people show up in jeans a flip-flops.

Today, anything goes. It’s about making a big score financially, then moving on to another band. In fact, I predicted that some day a group would come along that banged trash can lids together and they would become stars. Then the smash hit show Stomp opened on Broadway. The entire show is about using everyday objects to create percussion grooves. They even use cigarette lighters as well as trash can lids, waste baskets–anything.

In creating the Jacksonville Follies Awards, Teddy has established a way for the community to come together and pay homage to our unsung musical heroes, who have slugged away eking out a living without any recognition. These are musicians’ musicians who are role models for aspiring players who want to excel on their respective instruments.

Yes, Teddy has done a righteous thing by producing this show. I’ve covered the local music scene for over twenty years, and I’ve attended every Jazz Festival since the beginning.. I’ve seen the best players in the world on that stage, some of whom live right here in Jacksonville. Now, through Teddy’s Follies, the people of Jacksonville will know about their sizable contributions to the quality of life in our fair city.

Source: Rick At Night