Don ’ t miss Jack ’ s last concert
Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Did somebody or something touch your life and make it better ?
Perhaps it was a teacher, a coach or Scout leader, or maybe a member of the clergy. It might have even been a member of your own family.
In my case it was music. We had plenty of it around our house as I was growing up. My mother played the piano and would sing all day long as she went about her work in the house.
We all attended church regularly, where you can’t help but be touched by the music.
In school I sang in all sorts of choirs and quartets and eventually became a musician, more specifically a drummer.
I pretty much enjoy all types of music, although I am having a hard time with some of the contemporary stuff.
But there is one particular kind of music that I enjoy more than the others — Big Bands.
I don’t know why that is. I’ve just always loved it.
In fact I have said on many occasion that I was born too late. I wish I had been a young adult in the 40 ’s so I could have experienced the music and dancing first hand.
Not only have I listened to the music for a long time, I have attended several concerts, such as Harry James and His Orchestra many years ago in West Virginia.
Back in the 80 s when I first lived in Florida there was a concert in a neighboring town featuring Count Basie. I can’t remember why, perhaps because I didn’t have enough disposable income, but I didn’t go. That was unfortunate as the great band leader died not long after.
It was then and there I decided I wasn’t going to miss another opportunity to hear “ my music. ”
And since moving to Bella Vista I have had the privilege to hear Jack Mitchell and His Big Band perform.
It was in Riordan Hall, which anybody who has ever attended a music or stage event there knows, the acoustics are bad But I heard the band all the same, and I was impressed.
Then more recently I actually had the honor to meet Jack and Betty Mitchell and interview them about their plans to leave Bella Vista and move closer to family in Tennessee.
Right off the bat Jack and I had a kinship. We’re both drummers, although I would never put myself on the same level as he. After all, Jack has performed all over the country and the world, has played for an American president and is in the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame.
Jack and Betty sat in my office and we talked like old friends. They told me about their time in Bella Vista and how much it has meant to them, and how much they will miss it.
Because I was busy taking notes for my story, and trying to capture everything Jack said, I missed the opportunity to tell him he also would be missed.
Jack is a humble man. He was even surprised I would take time out of my busy day to write a story about his moving. He didn’t see the newsworthiness of it.
I tried to convince him that there are thousands of people out there who have been touched by his music, both his big band and his praise band, and they, like me, would love to have the chance to say thanks.
Well, you might not be able to sit and talk to Jack for any length of time — he and Betty are really busy packing up the house and getting ready to go.
But you can see him and hear his music at least one more time before he leaves.
At 3 p. m., Sept 7., Jack and the band will perform at Arend Arts Center in Bentonville (at Bentonville High School ). This is a charity concert with all proceeds going to Village House Adult Day Program. Most of Jack’s career he has played for nothing, donating his earnings.
Tickets are $ 10 in advance ($ 12 at the door ) and available at any Bella Vista Arvest Bank, The Weekly Vista and Village House, 1702 Forest Hills Blvd., in front of Judson American Baptist Church. Don’t miss this opportunity to see Jack one more time. I know I’ll be there tapping my foot and enjoying every minute of it.
Douglas Grant is the managing editor of the Weekly Vista.
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