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History

Special Tribute

This spring was difficult time for JOSA in that two of our founding participants, Rink Mann and "Lady" Eve passed away.

It was 1992 when Rink Mann, mover & shaker extraordinaire of the Lake Sunapee/New London area, and I hooked up to bring jazz music to the area on a more or less regular basis and in a way that would replicate the old "jazz sessions" in the crowded clubs of Chicago, New York and the like, (minus the smoke). Rink, a crooner on his famous C melody straight soprano sax, would handle the door and promotion while I, Bill Wightman, would handle the musical aspect of what we were to call, "JOSA" or Jazz On a Sunday Afternoon.

We kicked it off at the Lake Sunapee Country Club and six years later we were dealing with packed houses and rave reviews. Rink was always the consummate professional schmoozing the patrons and making the JOSA experience as accommodating as it could possibly be. He was a good friend with lots of good advice and good music to share. This past spring Rink left behind his wife and children and many more of us who enjoyed his great enthusiasm for everything he pursued, especially his music!

From the beginning of our sessions back in 1992, "Lady" Eve was a regular patron and performer at JOSA. Her presence on and off stage brought a level of warmth and professionalism to JOSA that only Eve could have brought. I was privileged on many occasions to spend time with Eve and hear of her rich and diverse musical life, which of course her performances reflected. Even with painful health problems at the end of her life, Eve continued to faithfully attend and perform at the JOSA sessions, sometimes even from her seat, delivering heart-felt renditions of songs like "But Beautiful", "How High the Moon", and her signature tune, "The Lady is a Tramp." All who knew her and had the privilege of experiencing her comforting persona miss her terribly.

It is truly fitting to make our launching of this year's JOSA Series, at our new location, a tribute to both Rink Mann and "Lady" Eve. Both were founding partners in the now 11 year old jazz tradition without whom it would not have existed nor become the huge success and treasure for those of us who continue to enjoy it!

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