Honoring the Legacy of Jazz Legend Jack Mouse
Friends, family, former students, and colleagues of the legendary Jack Mouse gathered inside the Emporia Granada Theatre to celebrate his life, music, and impact on Sunday afternoon. The Jack Mouse Legacy concert featured several world-class jazz musicians taking to the stage to perform various arrangements in Mouse's honor, showcasing his enduring influence on the genre.Preserving the Melodies of a Jazz Icon
Paying Tribute to a Musical Father
The concert program included a performance of the piece "LaPorta," written in memory of one of Mouse's "musical fathers," John LaPorta. The Jack Mouse Legacy Concert Band, consisting of Mike Steinel, Mitch Paliga, Fareed Haque, Mark Foley, and Tom Morgan, delivered a stirring rendition of this work, honoring the profound impact LaPorta had on Mouse's musical development.
Reflecting on a Life Dedicated to Jazz
Jack Mouse, born in Emporia, Kansas, in 1946, passed away on August 8 at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, at the age of 78. His journey from Emporia High School to the famed Berklee College of Music and his time with the US Air Force's Falconaires band as a featured soloist laid the foundation for his illustrious musical career.
A Lifelong Love Affair with Jazz
Throughout his career, Mouse's unwavering passion for jazz led him to collaborate with numerous renowned artists, including his wife, Janice Borla, a celebrated vocalist. During the concert, Borla shared that she and Mouse were together nearly every minute of every day, and their love for one another grew stronger with each passing moment. Their relationship, which began on a professional basis and blossomed into a personal one, "worked on so many levels," as Borla eloquently expressed.
Sharing the Stage with Legends
In addition to his wife, Mouse's career saw him share the stage with the likes of Stan Kenton, Clark Terry, Herb Ellis, Joe Williams, and many more. His contributions to the jazz community were recognized through his induction into the Emporia High School Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Frank A. Beach Hall of Distinction.
A Diverse Ensemble Honors the Master
The Jack Mouse Legacy concert featured a diverse array of performers and speakers, including Amy Beth Kirsten, Tracy Freeze, Riley Day, Adrian Ingles, Scott Robinson, John McLean, Bob Bowman, Alma Jones, Mike Gann, and Max Popp. Each artist brought their unique perspective and talent to the stage, collectively paying tribute to the enduring legacy of Jack Mouse.The Jack Mouse Legacy concert was a poignant celebration of the life and music of a true jazz icon. Through the performances, personal reflections, and shared memories, the audience was transported into the world of this legendary musician, whose impact on the genre will continue to resonate for generations to come.
