Like John Coltrane, James L. Dean got some of his first experience

JerseyArticlesJazzClassic StineBy Jack StineNJJS President EmeritusIdon’t hold very much with psychics, don’tworry much about spilled salt, cellars orblack cats, but the soothsayer who warnedCaesar to beware of the Ides of March had itright a few weeks ago in Manhattan when abuilding crane collapsed, crushing a fourstory building on East 50th Street. Beinginvolved in such a disaster is a hell of a wayto break into print and not highlyrecommended, but if and when it doeshappen, the stronger minded will prevail.That’s just the way it works out.Such a person is Jane Jarvis, one of the JazzSociety’s favorite players, who lived nextdoor to the fated building and was one ofthose who were quickly evacuated after theaccident on March 15. Collateral damagewas a distinct possibility and Jane told theTimes reporter, “They got us out of thebuildings so fast, all I had was my pajamasand a fur coat.”Four days later, after crashing at a hotel inthe Chelsea section, they told Jane herbuilding was deemed to be safe and shecould return. She and Ann Ruckert, a studiomusician and long time friend, hopped acab to return home. Ms Rucker said, “Oncethere, she (Jane) was hassled by workers,because Jane was in slippers and pajamas,which was all she had.”That moment of confrontation betweenpajama-clad Jane Jarvis and theconstruction workers outside her buildingshould have been filmed for AARP. Jane is92 years old, and my money would havebeen on her. Only in New York…As I mentioned before, Jane Jarvis has longhad a special following among NJJSmembers. She’s played for us dozens oftimes — at Waterloo Village, the WatchungView Inn, Raritan Valley College, almostanywhere we might set up shop for anafternoon or evening of jazz. How manytimes has she had to endure that old gagabout “Who Played For Both The Mets andthe Knicks?” (Answer, of course: Jane Jarviswho was house organist at both MadisonSquare Garden and Shea Stadium.) As atrivia question, it had become prettythreadbare after decades of telling andretelling, but like Jane herself, it was alwaysgood to hear again. I wouldn’t want her tohear that I said she was comfortable as aworn shoe, but that pretty well sums it up.She was always warmly greeted by her NJJSfans, especially thosewho showed upwhen she played asolo evening at theRaritan ValleyCollege. I recall oneevening when sheshocked the crowdby saying she hadjust turned 80,letting everyone inon the secret oncondition that they’dnot go around tellingeverybody. She thentore into a programthat would credit a30-year old.Once, Jane told me,she had finished agig and as usual wassurrounded by fanswho had questions,wanted programssigned, or simply wanted to be close to her awhile longer. I’m sure there is a kind of highthat performers feel after a particularly goodsession, and that must have been what shewas feeling this evening when a fan asked,“Who does all your arrangements?” It was asif someone had asked Van Gogh who did allhis designs, and the question floored Jane.Best, she thought, to fight fire with fire,absurdity with absurdity, so she answered:“Jack Stine.”To this day I haven’t quite figured this out,but I do hope she had a better answer thanthat for the construction workers outsideher apartment when they asked, “Hey,lady. What’s with the pajamas?”JJShelly ProductionspresentsLive Jazz Thursday Nightsat The Glen Rock InnMAY 1 - Bob DeVos (guitar) & Dave Stryker (guitar)MAY 8 - Muzzy Trio (sax, guitar & keyboards)MAY 15 - Joshua Breakstone (guitar) & Earl Sauls (bass)MAY 22 - Bucky Pizzarelli (guitar) & Jerry Bruno (bass)Call for ReservationsMAY 29 - Bob Leive (horns) & Lou Pallo (guitar)JUNE 5 - Bucky Pizzarelli (guitar) & Jerry Bruno (bass)Call for ReservationsJUNE 12 - TBAJUNE 19 - Muzzy Trio (sax, guitar & keyboards)JUNE 26 - Lyle Atkinson (bass) & Joshua Breakstone (guitar)222 Rock Road, Glen Rock, NJ201-445-2362Entertainment Starts 7:00 PMCall for ReservationsHost — Victor QuinnShelly Productions, Inc.P.O. Box 61, Elmwood Park, NJ • 201-796-9582May 2008___________________________________ 9