Welcome to the
Pikes Peak Jazz And Swing Society

This scholarship fund was created by the Pikes Peak Jazz and Swing Society in 1988, shortly after its founding and a year after Danny's death, to honor his memory and his musical contributions to the Colorado Springs jazz scene and to its jazz musicians.

Part of the mission of PPJASS is "to provide encouragement to jazz musicians in their effort, including providing scholarships for jazz education." The scholarship fund has been sustained through proceeds from the April Second Sunday Jazz Affair, and through contributions from society members. Scholarships for $1000 from PPJASS, along with $1000 from the Springs Contemporary Jazz Big Band which are given in the name of William "Bug" Barbee, have been awarded annually to a graduating high school senior from the Pikes Peak area who is planning to pursue further jazz studies at a college or university in the following school year.

In 2005 a second place scholarship was added in the amount of $1,000 with $500 each contributed by PPJASS and the Springs Contemporary Jazz Big Band.

Application materials for the combined scholarship are mailed to Pikes Peak area jazz educators in March of each year for distribution to interested students. Applicants are asked to submit a one-page resume describing their music experience and education, a statement describing why they're applying and how the scholarship will further their goals, a letter of recommendation from a music instructor, and an audio cassette of three songs that demonstrate their abilities. The finalist is selected by a panel of musicians following live auditions in April. The scholarship winner is announced and presented at the Second Sunday Jazz Affair in May, and given the opportunity to play on that day. For more information on this scholarship, contact the Pikes Peak Jazz and Swing Society.

Danny Stevenson

b. January 30, 1934 - Detroit, MI / d. March 13, 1987 - Colorado Springs, CO

Pianist Danny Stevenson was a ubiquitous presence on the Colorado Springs' jazz scene for a decade. In his early career, Danny performed in and around Detroit. He then played in Las Vegas prior to his arrival in Colorado Springs in 1977, where he led his own combo, appearing in most of the music venues in the region including the Broadmoor Hotel, Four Seasons and The Landing. He also played in many other groups and was a friend, companion and inspiration to many of the musicians in the area. It is said that above all else he enjoyed sharing music with others.

Mike Brumbaugh, trombonist and former resident of Colorado Springs who now lives in San Antonio, Texas says of PPJASS honoring Danny through the award of an annual scholarship in his name that, "It is not so much the man himself, but a reflection of the spirit he represented …in the opportunities and encouragement he afforded to the musicians at that time… "

Danny Stevenson Memorial Scholarship Winners:

• Roger Campbell (1988)
• George Thompson (1989)
• Gayla Skadden (1990)
• Jeff Masty (1991)
• Shawn Laughren (1992)
• Phillip Howard (1993)
• Josh Shapiro (1994)
• Stonewall Napier (1995)
• David McKonkie (1996)
• Jeff Eliassen (1997)
• William Swank (1998)
• Shawna Mandeville (1999)
• Kevin Thomas Tabron (2000)
• Evan Blount (2001)
• Ward Johnston (2002)
• Jacob Herold (2003)
• Matt Pitts (2004)
• Taylor O'Donnell (2005 - First Place Winner)
  Daniel E. Lee (2005 - Second Place Winner)
• Melissa Spencer (2006 - First Place Winner)
  Danille Randall (2006 - Second Place Winner)
• Zachary Antonio (2007 - First Place Winner)
  Steve Sherlock (2007 - Second Place Winner)
• David Siegel (2008 - First Place Winner)
  Barclay Moffitt (2008 - Second Place Winner)

The first Alice Award was presented with pride and admiration to Alice Cardozo, the classiest lady we know, on December 8, 1996 by the Pikes Peak Jazz and Swing Society. It was created as a tribute to her for more than just her musical ability. Those who knew her treasured her character. During the presentation of the award, it was noted that she was "a woman of gentle spirit, kind words, humor, and a deep inner strength that sustains her and is shared with all who know her." It continues to be awarded annually in her name to a deserving area musician who is worthy of the honor. It is traditionally awarded at the Second Sunday Jazz Affair in January.

Alice A. (Gomes) Cardozo

b. April 3, 1935 - Providence, RI / d. July 3, 1997 - Colorado Springs, CO

To the rest of the world, Ella Fitzgerald may have been The First Lady Of Song, but Alice Cardozo was certainly Colorado Springs' First Lady Of Song. She was the area's best and most loved jazz vocalist, having lived here for 30 years from 1967 until her death. She grew up in a tight-knit Portuguese community in Rhode Island where she was surrounded by a loving family. Her father had been a well-known musician in the Cape Verde Islands. Her mother was a singer, and her brothers played guitar. She started listening to big band music at seven, and first performed with her brother's band at 16. Sarah Vaughn was her idol.

Following her marriage to Pete Cardozo, his Air Force assignment brought them to Colorado Springs. She entertained for years in the area in such places as the Broadmoor Hotel, the Sheraton Hotel and the Air Force Academy clubs, as well as for the Pikes Peak Jazz and Swing Society. She and the groups with whom she appeared represented diversity and experience.

"Alice Blue Gown" was her cue during a gig that she was to join the rest of the musicians (that often included Pete, a well-known bassist) on stage. While scat singing is easily the scariest part of jazz singing, Alice performed it with ease in such numbers as "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" and "The Flintstones." These were community favorites and frequent requests in her broad repertoire that included many standards, ballads and blues.

Alice's family was of utmost importance to her. She was the mother of five children who, along with their children, are all still residing in Colorado Springs.

Alice Award Winners:

• Alice Cardozo (1996)
• Dale Chamberlin (1998)
• Johnny Smith (1999)
• Frank Fanelli (2000)
• Art Wiggins (2001)
• Ray DeWitt (2002)
• Jerry Brown (2003)
• Bruce Pennington (2004)
• Laura Davis (2005)
• Tom O'Boyle (2006)
• Dwight Shaw (2007)

The Alice Fund

Through the efforts of Dennis Bueno (a drummer and close friend of Alice's) and The Friends of Alice, one of her dreams was realized in February of 1998 following her death. A CD of some of her performances entitled "Alice Cardozo: Jazz Vocalist" was completed and released for distribution to her family, and for sale to her many friends. The perpetuation of jazz as a musical art form was important to Alice, so a fund was established by Dennis prior to her death to provide for the education of jazz vocalists from among students in the Pikes Peak region. Proceeds from the sale of the CD and from contributions to The Alice Fund continue to be used in this ongoing effort. More information on the CD and on the jazz vocalist education effort may be obtained from the Pikes Peak Jazz and Swing Society. If you're interested in making a financial donation to The Alice Fund you may do so by contacting Dennis Bueno through PPJASS or Bert Hayes-Davis at the Peaks Peak Community Foundation P.O. Box 1443 Colorado Springs, CO 80901.

Alice Fund / PPJASS High School Jazz Vocalist Competition winners

• Rachel Gavaletz - 1st place, Nisa Ari - 2nd place (2002)
• Taylor O'Donnell - 1st place, Annie Potter - 2nd place (2003)
• Katie Conrad and Kate Spencer - 1st place (tie) (2004)
• Jess Nicholls - 1st place, Jamie Coates - 2nd place (2005)
• Cheerish Martin - 1st place, Matt Crowther - 2nd place (2006)
• Madaline Garcia (2007)