Every year around the end of July, the Rotary Club of Eugene welcomes The John G. Shedd Institute and the Oregon Festival of American Music (OFAM) to our lunch meeting program for a sneak preview of what OFAM has in store for the community.
The program is introduced by the The Shedd’s Jim Ralph. Jim is a co-founder of The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts along with Ginevra Ralph. Jim has served as The Shedd’s Executive Director from 1995 to the present. He also serves as the company’s chief program director and its marketing director.
For OFAM 2024 (OFAM’s 33rd year!), long-time OFAM collaborator Chuck Redd led a star-studded line-up of musicians from across the country (and in one particular case, from halfway ’round the world). Chuck is a world-renowned performer on drums and vibes. Among many other accomplishments, Chuck was the featured vibraphonist with at The Smithsonian Jazz Café in Washington, DC from 2004-2008. Chuck and his guest directors led OFAM 2024’s 10-day exploration of the “Words & Music By… The Poets of Tin Pan Alley”! This annual event at Rotary is an exciting time where members get an opportunity to see, hear and meet world class musicians and singers in an intimate yet casual setting.
Chuck and OFAM’s musician lineup for 2024 included:
Chuck Redd (musical director), vibes Washington, D.C.
Michael Stone vocals Portland, OR
Ehud Asherie piano NYC
Nicki Parrott bass Brisbane, Australia
Kevin Kanner drums Burbank, CA
Will Anderson reeds NYC
Peter Anderson reeds NYC
Tim Clarke trumpet Buffalo, NY
Lynnea Barry guest dir. & vocals Eugene, OR
Siri Vik guest dir. & vocals Eugene, OR
Vicki Brabham guest dir. & vocals Eugene, OR
Bill Hulings vocals Eugene, OR