Excerpts from the Dayton Daily News website: (Go Here)

South Park's jazz festival inspires adults, children alike
By Joanne Huist Smith
Staff Writer
DAYTON — Dayton's Historic South Park Neighborhood served up a smooth combination Saturday — a jazz festival that showcased local artists and promotion of an up coming home tour.
     "In addition to the entertainment, it was a way to market the neighborhood," said Karin Manovich, president of Historic South Park Inc.
     People sprawled on blankets and lawn chairs facing the gazebo where music groups performed. The program began at noon with a Dixieland band, Razzamatazz & Jazz, to expose the public to the roots of jazz.
     Six-year-old Tess Poe-Slade flitted like a butterfly in front of The Mario Abney Quintet as the group played. She was oblivious to the crowd, but in perfect rhythm to the music.
     "I love the music," Tess said. "It makes me feel mixed up — sad and excited. I can feel the sad notes, and I have to dance slower."
     Her mother, Danielle Poe, said Tess couldn't wait for the music to begin. The family has lived in Dayton for about seven years.  "Dayton has such a great jazz community," she said.
      Ron Gable of Jazz Advocate Publications lined up the artists and identified sponsors.  "My thing is to expose our local musicians to the public," Gable said. "A yearly jazz festival would go a long way to help that."
     The event also served as a prelude to the Historic South Park Rehabarama on Oct. 12-21. Ten homes will be open during the event sponsored by the city of Dayton and The Home Builders Association of Dayton.


Tess Poe-Slade, 6 dances as Mario Abney plays the tamborine, and Josh Adkin plays the saxophone at the jazz festival Saturday in Dayton. (photo by Peter Wine)
     Planning for the festival began in July, and South Park residents scrambled Friday night to put a final polish on their neighborhood. They were planting mums in the moonlight around the Park Drive Gazebo, which served as the stage.  "We're very pleased with the turnout," Manovich said.