The party was recorded professionally for the first 40+ years of its history. These recordings have been from West Texas to the Institute of Jazz Studies in Newark, New Jersey and back to West Texas. These represent some more recent examples of West Texas Jazz Party proceedings.
West Texas Jazz Party – 2000, Featuring Joe Ascione with Ralph Sutton, Bucky Pizzarelli & Keter Betts (Added 4-14-2020!)
Odessa Jazz Party Excerpts – 1994
The 1994 Odessa Jazz Party was the 28th Annual Party, and featured six musicians scheduled to appear again in 2016: Bucky Pizzarelli, Ed Polcer, Randy Sandke, Dan Barrett, Ken Peplowski and Harry Allen. This clip also talks about how much has changed for students born in 1994, who were scheduled to graduate from college just after the 50th party in Odessa May 20-22, 2016.
The entire program was originally broadcast in October 2015 on KXWT Odessa-Midland, West Texas Public Radio.
Odessa Jazz Party Excerpts – 1996 – 30th Anniversary
In 1996, the Odessa Jazz Party was 30 years old, and a few of the founding members were still around, including Ernie Schur and Dean Baker. Although Dr. John Sheets may not have been among the originals, he was the final President of the Odessa Jazz Association, and he introduced the 30th anniversary festivities. Musicians heard on this set include cornetist Ed Polcer, trombonist John Allred and tenor saxophonist Harry Allen (all attending in 2016) as well as pianist Ralph Sutton, bassist Jack Lesberg and drummer Jake Hanna.
The entire program was broadcast in November 2015 on KXWT Odessa-Midland, West Texas Public Radio.
Becky Kilgore live in West Texas