"Gateway Home" Project to Honor Hoagy

   Legendary Bloomington native Hoagy Carmichael (1899-1981) composed Stardust at the former Book Nook (later The Gables), on Indiana Avenue across from the Law School. He is buried near the western end of Rosehill Cemetery (Kirkwood and Adams). A group of enterprising citizens from the nearby Waterman Neighborhood (between 7^th and 8^th Streets west of Adams) has come up with an exciting "Gateway Home" project to honor Hoagy and enhance their neighborhood at the same time.

   The Indiana Railroad owns the rail overpass that stands as a kind of gateway to the neighborhood. (Photo, below left.) They have generously agreed to allow the group to paint a mural on the overpass, reproducing the opening bars of Hoagy's classic Stardust. Final details are still being worked out, but a sketch of what the result will look like can be found below on the right.
   The overpass needs some concrete and structural maintenance work by the Railroad before the artists and volunteers can go to work. Depending on costs and

budgetary factors, the project can perhaps get started yet this summer or, alternatively, in the spring.
   When the project is completed, JfB hopes to join our Waterman neighbors and all of Bloomington in a festive dedication of the mural, including live music by local performers.
   Further details will be posted as they become available on our web- site: www.jazzfrombloomington.org.

Both images can be viewed in color in the web-version of this issue of the Newsletter on our website: www.jazzfrombloomington.org.

JfB Business News

   JfB held its annual membership meeting on Sunday, May 20, 2001, in the Firebay at the Waldron Arts Center.
   The successful 2000-01 season was reviewed, and plans were discussed for our exciting new 2001-02 season. Details of our concert series should be available by the end of the summer. We have other activities planned as well, including new initiatives that will incorporate jazz musicians from the local high schools. Details will be available as they are worked out, on our website.

   New JfB officers were elected for 2001-02:
       · President: Monika Herzig
       · Vice-President: Rick Heeter
       · Secretary: Kris Harbison
       · Treasurer: Richard Pierce
       · At-Large Officer: Bob Austin.
   JfB still needs people to help out on the various committees that do all the work. Please volunteer if you can. It need not involve a big commitment of time; we are grateful for all assistance, even on a one-time basis. We need

people with all kinds of skills, from strong backs (to help set up equipment) to financial or journalistic skills, from people with contacts in the local or broader music scene to people willing to post promotional literature around town or to drive visiting artists back and forth to the airport -- and everything in between. Please phone or e-mail our President at (812-) 334-3022 or mherzig@indiana.edu if you are willing to help out.

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JfB Newsletter