Southern Indiana Living SeptOct 2013

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which helped my cause,” he said. “Tobacco
companies lying and cheating about
basic health information was wrong and if
I could combat their misinformation with
the truth, I would.”
One of the many youths he infuenced is
Jonathan Wolf, now in his 50s, who wrote
the theme songs for popular television
shows including Seinfeld, Will & Grace
and The King of Queens. He prominently
mentions Aebersold’s infuence on him in
a Louisville Magazine article in 2007.
“The lessons were equal parts music,
life lessons and basketball,” he said. “And
they were all intense. Jamey shaped a lot
more than my music. The skill set I learned
in Jamey’s basement I would use every
day-improvisation and composition.”
After he graduated from Indiana University,
Aebersold returned to New Albany,
moving into the house across the
street from where he grew up and began
working in his father’s forist business. He
gave private lessons after work and began
to put together small combos.
In 1977 he established the Summer Jazz
workshops, held annually at the University
of Louisville. This past July, the camp
drew 300 people each week with 60 international
participants from 22 countries.
The participants ranged from teens to an
85-year-old who was mastering the baritone
sax. “That’s a big instrument,” Aebersold
said. “I wasn’t even sure he could
hold it, but he did.”
In August he received a thank you letter
from a parent who had encouraged his
15-year-old to audition for the workshop,
which he did reluctantly, becoming an eager
participant after hearing Aebersold
speak. The parent thanked Aebersold for
teaching his son the importance of not
giving up and overcoming obstacles. He
in turn wrote to the other instructors and
said simply, “This is why we do what we
do.”
Sally Newkirk, the director of the
Carnegie Center for Art and History in
New Albany, has the pleasure of working
frequently with Aebersold. She said her
parents were in France and told a French
couple they were from New Albany, Indiana.
The couple immediately said,
“That’s where Jamey Aebersold lives.”
“One of the reasons I hold him in such
high esteem is that he is so generous, yet
so humble,” she said. “He is so easy to approach
and he works tirelessly and touches
so many lives. You would never know
he’s an internationally known performer
and educator.”
Christine Harbeson, executive director
of HOPE Southern Indiana, agrees. “It’s
hard to imagine our community without
Jamey Aebersold,” she said. “He does so
much to support families and is such a
strong advocate for youth. He’s willing to
share his talent and education with everyone
he meets. He is truly a treasure.”
The list of organizations he supports
is long, both locally and nationally. He
said jazz has been very good to him and
through wise investments he has been
able to donate to a number of causes he
is passionate about. But when you talk to
those who work closely with him, they
rarely mention his monetary donations,
but instead talk about the enormous contributions
of his time and talent. •
Jamie Whitman Auto Sales
812-738-2822
Selling and Financing Preowned Automobiles
Jamie Whitman, Owner
204 W. Walnut St.
Corydon, IN 47112
“Serving our Community since 1956”
September/October 2013 • 54