Jazz Initiative gets a splendid gift

One night a few weeks ago, Will Cathcart slowed down as he drove past Charleston Beer Works on King Street, where I was waiting for him. We had missed each other all day, given our busy schedules.

We were both eager to hook up. With other drivers honking their horns, he handed me a copy of a musical with songs written by his late uncle, Robert Cathcart (1909-92), and arrangements by Ernest Travis.

Will had told me earlier this year about the three-act musical comedy set in 1917. He wanted me to take a look at it with an eye toward working together on a rewrite and staging of the piece, "Lowcountry."

I had heard of Robert in connection with one of his collaborators, Fud Livingston, a fellow Charlestonian and an important jazz composer/performer.

Will, managing editor of the Charleston Mercury, is also a big jazz fan. I met him in 2007 when my book, "Charleston Jazz," was published. We had many pleasant conversations about the music. He even writes jazz poems.

Two days before Thanksgiving, I thought about our traffic-stopping handoff as Will and I sat among about 30 people at a program at the College o f Charleston's Avery Research Center.

The occasion was the official donation of the Robert Spann Cathcart Jr. Collection to the Charleston Jazz Initiative, a research project whose collection is housed at Avery. Will and other family members joined officials from CJI, Avery, the college's arts management Program and others in a presentation and celebration of the items the gift comprises.

Paul Cathcart, Robert's son, came over from Atlanta to make the presentation.

Bobby, as Robert was known to his family, was the son of a surgeon and the grandson of a Confederate colonel who fought at Fort Sumter. He studied violin, his mother played piano. His sisters sang.

Robert was most prolific from the 1920s through the 1960s, writing more than 60 songs.

"Lowcountry," which is about a Charleston mulatto raised by a black woman and rejected by both races, was conceived in 1947 and completed in 1968 when Robert met Ernest Travis, who finished the arrangements.

Studying his body of work should shed new light on Charleston's popular music history, an area of study largely ignored. CJI plans to rectify this. It's now armed with this important resource that should provide windows into Charleston's 20th-century social history.

By the way, I'll keep you abreast of the progress Will and make on "Lowcountry."

Youth movement

On Sunday at 6 p.m., trumpeter Charlton Singleton will lead three young musicians in a holiday Jazz Vespers concert at the Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting St.

The concert is free. This should be a good one. Charlton is one of the most inventive musicians and band leaders in the area. A couple of Christmases ago, he put on a magnificent program at Circular in which he organized a quintet that performed jazz arrangements of carols done by each member of the band.

This year, he'll work with some dynamic young lions: Demetrius Doctor on piano/keyboard, a senior at the Charleston County School of the Arts; drummer Calvin Baxter, a junior at the School of the Arts; and Devon Goodwin on bass, a graduate of North Charleston High School.

Charlton describes the band's sound as neosoul and gospel. They play a lot at their own churches.

The program Sunday will consist of songs celebrating Advent and Christmas.

These kids can play.

In 2007, I wanted to enhance the programming at an annual jazz picnic held at Robert Mills Manor, a public housing project that sits adjacent to the original Jenkins Orphanage.

The event was an homage to the orphanage's musical history and legacy, so I thought a band of young people opening up the festival would be a great idea. Demetrius, Calvin and Devon formed the core, the rhythm section, of that band.

They auditioned for me one day after school and acquitted themselves very nicely. They really swung. The gig went well, too.

Just like it should at church Sunday.

On the road again

Trumpeter Cameron Harder is on the road again. Some of you may remember her as the local musician who worked a world tour playing in Michael Bolton's band earlier this year.

She recently told me she's was headed out with Seal, the international soul music star from Britain who has put together his own all-girls band.

Music at Muse

I heard from an old friend, June Bonner, longtime singer, teacher and producer. It was great to talk to a real trouper from the old school. It was even cooler to find out she was producing monthly, intimate concerts at Beth Anne Crane's Muse, 82 Society St., one of my favorite restaurants in town. It's a cozy joint with excellent food, wine and service.

The concept is to showcase June's students as their singing adds to the beautiful ambience of the manse that houses the Italian-themed eatery.

Vocalist Ann Caldwell performed in September. John Roberts sang accompanied by Fernando Rivas in October. That show was on the piazza during brunch. It was terrific. Beth, the owner, sang the November concert. There's no cover, and the music is eclectic and entertaining. Call 577-1102.

Jazz in January

Next month looks huge for live jazz around here. Three potential blockbuster shows are planned. Mark Sterbanks' Hymns and Spirituals is set for Jan. 17. Quentin Baxter's Pops concert with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra happens Jan. 22 and Jan. 23. And the Charleston Jazz Orchestra starts its second season on Jan. 30. More on these later.

Save the dates.

Jack McCray, author of "Charleston Jazz," can be reached at jackjmccray@aol.com