On May 27, one of the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library’s most frequent musical contributors will be filling the Schechter Auditorium with the sweet sounds of jazz one last time.
The Kinston-Lenoir County Friends of the Library are sponsoring the Bob Jeffcott Jazz Ensemble’s farewell performance. Jeffcott and his band have performed annually at the library since 2007. The concert will consist of a varied but familiar selection of Big Band to small ensemble tunes, including “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” “Body and Soul,” “It’s Been a Long, Long Time” and a number of New Orleans-style tunes.
Kinston’s Jeffcott, leader of the ensemble, is a member of the Friends’ board, and has assembled a team of performers highly acclaimed in their musical fields. Jeffcott, on trumpet, has played many years with large dance and society bands up and down the East Coast, including playing for the St. Cecilia Ball in Charleston, S.C., DuPont weddings, and leading his Air Force Jazz Band on the Steve Allen television show in 1953.
Tommy Smith, on trombone and vocals, has worked 25 years as an instrumental instructor in public schools, both in North Carolina and New Orleans. His work allowed him the opportunity to perform two years with Pete Fountain in New Orleans, along with playing in orchestras of Disney, The Dorsey Brothers, Sam Donahue and The Platters.
Steve Creech, on guitar, is a fixture in Eastern North Carolina. Many of his early years were spent in Kinston. He graduated from Grainger High School, later earning his Ph.D. from UNC and working in the mental health field until retiring in 1997. Keeping active in the music field, Creech plays about 120 dates per year with his jazz group and is a member of the Emerald City Big Band.
Bob Tyson, on saxophone and clarinet, is an accomplished musician with many years of experience with a variety of bands from New Bern and Urbana, Ill., to Greenville, S.C. He has his Master of Science from the University of Illinois, Urbana, and has worked as a school principal while still arranging time to work steadily in night clubs.
Earle Abernethy on drums has worked more than 40 years playing primarily with small combo groups. His experience includes playing with well-known pianist Jimmy Aycock, backing up shows of entertainers Lynn Anderson, Ray Price, and individuals from The Lawrence Welk Show and, in recent years, co-leading the Grainger Hill performing Arts Series.
Filling in for usual pianist Mort Stine is Duke Ladd. Duke has played with jazz greats Slide Hampton, Bill Watrous, and Dick Gable. At 18, he toured the U.S. and Canada with a 14-piece show band backing up Hee-Haw star Roy Clark. He received his formal education at East Carolina and North Texas State University and subsequently based himself in Las Vegas. He has since returned to Eastern North Carolina to form his own jazz/variety band.
The event will be held on Tuesday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the Schechter Auditorium of the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library.