Pacific Pop 'n' Jazz began with a small number of members from what was previously Mr. O's Jazz Band. Mr O, Joe Ostenson, was widely known and loved in Hollister, CA where he was a leader in the music community. Sadly, he passed away on January 3, 2021.
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Joe taught at Rancho San Justo Middle School from 1966-2010. After he retired in 2010, Joe and his wife, Francie, opened Mr. O's Music Academy in Hollister. He often talked about how the community helped him build the academy, constructing it to have numerous small teaching/practice rooms and a large room where whole bands could play. That allowed him to have a Jazz Band, Mr. O's Jazz Band, thereby fulfilling a lifelong dream.
A recording of the band, playing Jingle Bell Rock at the Lights On Celebration in Hollister in 2018 is shown below.
During the COVID pandemic, members of Mr. O's Jazz Band continued to meet over zoom. Joe and Francie were regular participants at these meetings. We also put together music where we would pick a tune, record our parts at home and then put them together into a performance piece. One of these, Proud Mary, is shown below. It features Noelle Sladon and Les Pierce. You can see Joe on the trumpet.
In addition to his work as a teacher, Joe was an active performance musician, playing trumpet in the Watsonville Community Band for many years. After his passing in early 2021, members of that band joined together with members of Mr. O's Jazz Band to put together a tribute to him. Since this was during the COVID pandemic, the parts were done individually and then combined into a composite. The piece we played was Cerezo Rosa (Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White). This was one of Joe's favorite pieces and he was often the featured soloist when his beloved Mr. O's Jazz Band played it. The recording is shown below.
We sure miss you, Joe.
Thank you for the music, smiles and friendship.
We will keep the music alive, always.