Social Studies

After welcoming music lovers to KRTU's Year of Jazz Kickoff Sunday, Trinity University president Dennis Ahlburg took his seat to hear the premiere of “The San Antonio Suite,” commissioned by KRTU and performed by the King William All-Stars.

The seat he chose was the concrete slab before the stage of the Sunken Garden Theater, sans chair or blanket.

“He really likes jazz,” Trinity's communications chief Sharon Jones Schweitzer said afterward.

Music eclipsed comfort all afternoon for families and jazz aficionados who attended the kickoff to a year-long, collaborative celebration recognizing KRTU 91.7 FM's 10th year of broadcasting mainstream jazz. Though the day was hot and seating anything but cushy, the natural setting makes concerts feel like picnics. The San Antonio Symphony, which also performed at the kickoff, had its inaugural performance there just over 70 years ago.

The long-awaited performance of “The San Antonio Suite” found Beverly and Lori Prado, mother and wife of the composer, pianist and former KRTU program director Aaron Prado, sitting on a concrete wall beneath the piano. Dad George Prado and Aaron's aunt Connie Cruz sat farther back, but in chairs, with friends Frank and Bea Rodarte and Chuck Glave and his wife, Marleen Hoover.

Mostly lively in its depiction of San Antonio's history, one section of the Suite began in a dismal mood.

“Is this during Prohibition?” whispered Nancy Fullerton.

As the music picked up, feet went back to tapping.

“I thought it was great — I was impressed,” said Michael Williams afterwards. Other musicians listening included Joan Carroll, Moses Olivo, Henry Mora and University of Incarnate Word music chair Jim Waller. Among the jazzers: Claire Golden, Linda Seeligson, Candace Andrews and Bill Lende, Boone and Dianne Powell, and Peter and Buffy Smolens.

“We want to start with this one and go to every concert,” said Phillip Schley, there with wife, Felicia, and their son who plays double bass at Judson High School.

Just before the San Antonio Symphony performed jazz classics, the Parks & Rec Department band, “Take Note,” released Stevie Wonder's joyful “Sir Duke” into the evening. Off to the side, Brian Hughes and Lissa Martinez turned every note into dance.

“Music is a world within itself/With a language we all understand/With an equal opportunity/For all to sing, dance and clap their hands.

You can feel it all over,/you can feel it all over, people.”

Go to www.yearofjazz.org for the full Year of Jazz lineup, presented throughout the city in an unprecedented collaboration of nonprofit organizations. The Witte Museum, Carver Community Cultural Center, SAY Sí and ArtPace are among those that will host concerts each month for a year. The music continues on Nov. 19 with a rare concert by jazz pianist Olivia Revueltas at the Instituto Cultural de México.

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