A LONG OVERDUE “THANK YOU” !!

LONG OVERDUE “THANK YOU”

AUTHOR: By Rod Belcher

Originally posted May 2012

Through the long existence of our PSTJS, there have been many individuals who have done more than their share to keep the organization going. Some have been up front and prominent in their efforts. But I now offer some history and un-asked-for praise for a person who has toiled quite silently but efficiently in the background....not only for us, but for all phases of jazz and its practitioners in the Northwest for several decades.

I’m writing, of course, about the longtime editor, mailer and general factotum of our Soundings news letter, who gradually has had to shuck-off the responsibilities of those tedious tasks because of moving out to the Lake Tapps countryside. That’s Lola Pedrini, who has found it too much of a travel problem to continue with that “expenses-only” paying assignment she handled so well. (Just so you’ll know, she’s been succeeded by another faithful hard worker, Gloria Kristovich, who also just happens to be PSTJS’ treasurer.)

But to get back to history – back in early 1989, the late Stephen Joseph unexpectedly retired from doing the newsletter and Lola was the only one who volunteered to take over editing and mailing Soundings. That she did indeed, through September, 2005 when Curt Beard took over as Editor, leaving her to continue with mail responsibilities. When Curt passed away in September, 2010 again we had to turn to Lola for both jobs to help us get through a tough time....but nary one issue was missed!

So, for the past 23 years she has mailed the Soundings. It involves picking up the newsletters from the printer, adhering the address labels, sorting by zip code, and delivering all in boxes or bags to the proper “bulk mail” P.O. .....Always under a deadline. Editors Note: This is no small task!

Though she was never a complainer, Lola has had to deal with a number of painful physical problems. Once Tom and Carol Rippey walked into her hospital room. There she was in bed (recovering from surgery) the bed covered with newsletters and labels, getting ready for the month’s mailing. As Carol says: “Now that’s dedication!”

In addition to her work for PSTJS, Lola has not only been a stalwart supporter of the style of jazz for which our society was formed, but she’s also been closely involved with Earshot Jazz, (she’s on its board of directors), Victory Music, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Gaye Anderson’s New Orleans Restaurant and the individual musicians hired to play for performances they present. Fact is, she ran sort of a condo for visiting musicians. Following are several quotes about Lola from a Victory Review back issue: (Oct. 2006)

“Lola creates an infrastructure that allows musicians to keep functioning properly, so as to maintain a positive demeanor in their travels and feel as though they’re valued as people. She offers genuinely interested companionship, lets them know where to go for quality food, sightseeing and such mundane tasks as laundry, and in general plays the role of Den Mother of Seattle Jazz, a title conferred upon her by jazz radio programmer Jim Wilke. She also supervises the cleaning and upkeep of the condos to insure that each artist passing through will experience the same high quality of care as the one who just left. This is among the reasons why so many musicians love her. When they return to Seattle she is invariably the first call they make and when she travels to attend jazz conferences she serves as a good example of the jazz community in Seattle for touring artists from everywhere.”

Another quote:

“Aside from her feeling for the music, she obviously desires that the organizations she’s worked for and the cultures they represent continue to exist, to grow and to enrich our lives during whatever fat and lean times may confront us.”

And still another, describing Lola:

“A basically self-effacing woman of huge passions and carved-in-stone loyalties who puts body and soul into what she believes. Because she shuns the spotlight many who’ve benefited from the fruits of her labor are unaware of her role in their enjoyment.”

There was a period when I was the assigned proof reader for Soundings when Curt Beard was editor. Lola and I lived closer together then, and she would always deliver the unedited script to my doorstep – always in a hurry, but always upbeat and in good humor. She, surprisingly, knew my background as a sports broadcaster and would often summon up remembrances of past events with her sharp memory -- a memory that was jazz-voluminous, too. A most pleasant friend to this old guy.

So Lola, please know that we of PSTJS wish you much time ahead of comfortable living, enjoying family and friends at your Lake Tapps digs. Also know, though it’s not always been apparent, that rank-and-file jazz lovers within and without our society dearly appreciate your contributions!