Hall of Fame Banquet

Every city has its jazz heroes, and Des Moines is no exception. For the past 20 years, the Community Jazz Center of Greater Des Moines (CJC) has honored these heroes with its Annual Hall of Fame and Special Recognition Awards. This year’s event is scheduled for the evening of Sunday, October 24, at Noce in downtown Des Moines.

CJC will be inducting pianist Jason Danielson and trombonist Paul Bridson into the Hall of Fame, which now numbers a total of 56 individuals from the jazz community.
  • Jason Danielson — Jason Danielson was in eighth grade when he first met and performed with many of city’s jazz legends at CJC’s student jam sessions. Today, he is proud to join those players in the CJC Hall of Fame. Lessons learned from Bob Washut, Stu Calhoon, Susie Miget and others prepared Jason for a playing career with many local groups as well as numerous touring groups and musicals. When he is not on the bandstand, you’ll find Jason in the classroom teaching history and social science for the Des Moines Public Schools or serving as a clinician and/or judge for area jazz camps and festivals.
  • Paul Bridson -- For the past 27 years Paul Bridson has served as the lead trombonist for the Des Moines Big Band. However, his career as an improviser dates to 1978 when he won an award at the Iowa High School Jazz Championships. Following his graduation from the University of Iowa and a stint in Austin, Texas, Paul returned to Des Moines in 1992 where he quickly established himself as the go-to trombonist for local and touring groups. In addition to those gigs, Paul is currently lead trombonist and manager for the Turner Jazz Orchestra, an instructor at Drake University and active as a judge and clinician. Paul and his wife own Brainstorm Iowa, a local advertising and design firm.  
 Other awards to be presented at the event include:
  • Special Recognition Awards will be given to clarinetist and local musician union president Dan Stevenson and the duo of Betsy Hickok (vocals) and her husband Ron Roberts (guitar). 
  • The Next Generation Award, which focuses on up-and-coming musicians who are making an impact on music in Des Moines, will be presented to trumpeter Antonio Garza.
  • The Bobby Dawson Award, presented to two student musicians who has been involved with the
    CJC monthly jam sessions: saxophonist Marvin Truong, a recent graduate of Waukee High currently attending the University of Iowa; and bassist Spencer Paulsen, a senior at Waukee High.
 
This year’s Hall of Fame will be held October 24, 2021 at Noce, 1326 Walnut Street in downtown Des Moines. The Hall of Fame event will kick off at 5;00 p.m. with a reception and dinner. The awards ceremony will begin at 6:00 p.m. which will include performances  from this year’s winners as well as past Hall of Fame winners and special guests.

Admission is $20 for advanced tickets and $25 at the door. Food and drinks will be available for an additional charge. Proceeds from this event fund the Community Jazz Center’s youth activities. Tickets can be ordered on the CJC Hall of Fame Tickets page or at www.nocedsm.com. They are also available by calling 515-279-6452 or emailing abegold1951@gmail.com.

The CJC Hall of Fame is always a very special night jam packed with live jazz performances and tributes that you won’t want to miss!