HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) -
Take some Billie Holliday, mix it with some great bass and a perfect beat and
you've got great jazz.
In the past, the Tennessee Valley Jazz Society struggled, playing events in
several different locations before coming to the Improv. They hope to be in one
location for a while.
"Our whole objective is to keep jazz alive in our community," said
Kenneth Gurley, board president of the Jazz Society. .
That's good news for local musicians like Peter Harrison.
"I'm a great believer that quality music sells anywhere," said
Harrison. "It doesn't matter where you're from or where you go to. Even if you
don't speak the audience's language, the music will speak to them."
He said the jazz audience in Huntsville is growing.
"I thought jazz was awesome because it exposes vocals and instruments
of all types," said Delores. "The only thing I wanted to do for [my
daughters] is to expose them so they know they have options."
Her daughter, Zariah Brown agreed.
"It's just calming and it's just cool."
Zariah's sister, Selina Brown says it's the same for her.
"It, like, calms me down, like chill, just so, it's not like other
music, it just calms me down."
Reaching young people is another aim for the Tennessee Valley Jazz Society,
with hopes for the the future of this music.
"We try to raise funds so we can take can jazz to the school, to the
students so that future generations can be aware of jazz and will help promote
jazz in the community," said Gurley.
It's been called a genre that will endure as long as people hear it through
their feet instead of their brain.
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