1993 a Year of Growth for Jazz, Classical Scene in the County : Creation of Chamber Orchestra and Local Appearances by Chick Corea, Larry Carlton and Robben Ford Were Among High Marks

The change of calendars reveals the change: Ventura’s musical life, if still lurking humbly in the shadow of its metropolitan neighbor to the south, has churned and grown admirably in 1993. In both the jazz and classical areas, progress has been made and apathy quashed.

Perhaps the best symbol of stubborn, fruitful ambition here this past year was creation of the Ventura County Chamber Orchestra, launched with high hopes and a groundswell of local support.

Although only three concerts into its life span, the Chamber Orchestra is a viable entity and valuable contribution to the music scene. Music director Burns Taft, also head of the Ventura County Masterchorale, led the drive to launch the orchestra, to fly in the face of fiscal doomsayers.

With the venerable Ventura County Symphony, things have been moving, shaking and wriggling, as new conductor Boris Brott has been redefining the symphony’s agenda and--to his credit--bolstering its audience count. Brott brings to the county high ideals, a renewed sense of purpose and professionalism.

But he has also brought--so far, at least--mostly stodgy music. The second half of the current concert season promises to introduce new and unusual twists to the programmatic saga in motion.

On the other side of the Conejo Grade, conductor Elmer Ramsey continued to lead the Conejo Symphony, and James Stemen led his longstanding Moorpark Masterworks Chorale (this year renamed Los Robles Master Chorale). Last spring, the two ensembles joined forces for the first time.

But the obvious pinnacle of the county’s classical music season came almost precisely at midpoint in the year, as it has for decades now. The first weekend in June, the internationally acclaimed Ojai Festival celebrated its 47th year in operation with a feisty program designed by noted composer-conductor John Adams.

It was Adams’ first official podium visit to Libbey Bowl, and the recovering minimalist concocted a thrilling three-day affair with an accent on new, accessible music. That festival’s highlight (and, by extension, the county’s) was Adams’ new “Chamber Symphony”--an exhilaratingly pluralistic piece with wry nods to both Arnold Schoenberg and Carl Stallings.

Courtesy of the Ojai Festival’s subplot, a tribute to the late John Cage, hints of chance encounters and the scent of Dada wafted around town.

On the subject of Dada around town, Jeff Kaiser unleashed his gonzo opera entitled “Rooster Brings Heresy,” with its gymnastically free-associative libretto by Matt Swain. The production, taking the stage of the Plaza Players late last winter, was an inspiring example of singular vision and ensemble gumption.

Kaiser exercised further gumption by putting on his annual New Music festival at the Livery in the summer, featuring such inventive Venturans and ex-Venturans as Liz Stuart, Robert Bourneman, Jim Connolly, Ted Killian and Kaiser’s own band, Mahacuisinart. Capping off the year’s activities, Kaiser married artist Kim Loucks.

In Ventura, jazz came to town and stayed put, at least for the time being. Over the last few years, jazz has been the odd genre out in Ventura, a music without regular stomping grounds.

Now, the resident jazz fan can check in at the downtown Ventura spot California 66. Vibist Fred Raulston kicked off a regular jazz policy there in the spring, and pianist John Veith now holds down the house-band fort, bringing in special guests from L. A.

The Pierpont Inn has also had jazz on the weekends, featuring the irrepressible Joe Vento and, more recently, the “uptown jazz” of Hux Reid and the Society Men. Noted big band leader Bob Florence, who calls Thousand Oaks home, made a rare county appearance early this fall as part of the Sunday Afternoon Musicale series.

For its jazz menu, the Ventura Theater tended to focus on pop-jazz ear candy--from David Benoit, the Rippingtons and that ilk. But, on the more satisfying end of the electric jazz spectrum, we also got Chick Corea, Larry Carlton and Robben Ford.

Some of the most precious moments in jazz took place off the beaten path and up in the hills, at Wheeler Hot Springs in Ojai. There, you can hear such stalwart jazz pianists as Milcho Leviev on a regular basis, as well as occasional dinner concerts. The restaurant has also instituted an occasional classical recital policy.

At Wheeler, it’s been a good year for jazz guitar aficionados. Kenny Burrell played there early in the year, and virtuoso Joe Pass closed the season, with the gentlest bang, with his solo performance earlier this month. The Wheeler jazz series continues on an upward path with sax hero Joe Henderson on Jan. 23.

Damn the recession, music will be made and absorbed regardless of the obstacles put before it. Music, on sophistication levels from low to high, is a cultural river that insists on running its course.

In 1993, the current has been a surprisingly strong and steady one, even when it appeared calm at the surface.

Josef Woodard is an avowed cultural omnivore who covers art and music.