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Eddie Dunlap
By Ken Shimamoto
Drummer Eddie Dunlap has some history in Fort Worth: playing with ‘70s fusion band Master Cylinder, performing in Jubilee Theater’s house band with his Master Cylinder bandmate Joe Rogers for 20 years, and helping Michael Pellecchia inaugurate Sunday night jazz at the Black Dog Tavern. He and dancer Gracey Tune now operate Arts Fifth Avenue, a neighborhood arts center in the Fairmount Southside Historic District.
For the past 10 years, Dunlap’s done outreach and educational work with the group MONDO Drummers; today he divides his time between “about 70 percent performing and 30 percent teaching.” He’s philosophical about the pro bono work he’s done with area schools. “Sometimes they’ll call and be real hesitant to ask me to come play, because they can’t pay me,” he said. “But any time I’ve gone and worked with kids, something good has come out of it.”
Dunlap’s the most self-effacing of musicians. The goal of Arts Fifth Avenue’s monthly jazz concerts, he says, is to “support local people and provide a setting for the music that’s ideal for both the performer and listener.” The center’s relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere attracts a listening crowd. The drummer feels that Fort Worth’s jazz community is potentially vibrant but disconnected. By providing a consistent venue at the center, he hopes to help build momentum.
Recently, Arts Fifth Avenue has presented the Metroplex debut of pianist James Vernon’s trio, as well as performances by trumpeter Leonard Belota (back home after a decade in New York), vocalist Carolyn Hatcher, and Jubilee Theater’s Rogers. This weekend’s lineup teams Dunlap with some of the usual suspects from the weekly Black Dog and Moon jams: triple-threat vibist-pianist-drummer Joey Carter, bassist Brandon Nelson, and “Dave and Daver” saxophonist Dave Williams.
8pm Fri at Arts Fifth Avenue, 1628 5th Ave, FW. $5. 817-923-9500.
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