The obituary for jazz impresario Jim Carlson

Many of us had a "Blue Christmas," as per the Elvis Presley song, as we learned of the death of Jim Carlson. It was sudden and unexpected on Christmas Eve. An especially sad time to die? Any time is sad. 

Carlson had jazz blossom on the UMM campus. What a heyday it was for the UMM Jazz Festival. Let's not overlook all the other jazz concerts on the calendar. Musicians were organized in a variety of ensembles and combos. 

There was no Jazz Fest in 2021. The pandemic stood in the way. Did the cancellation dim the lights permanently for the Fest? A good source informs me we cannot count on the Fest returning. Shall we take this decision sitting down, with a shrug? Maybe in our community of Morris we are inclined that way. Let's all take some pep pills. C'mon Motown! Never say never, in terms of accepting the end of the Fest. 

Jazz is Carlson's legacy here. Let's not overlook a passion for golf too. 

Since his death, I'm realizing just how much impact his personality and presence had. 

Master of brass

Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services of Ocala, Florida, has Jim's obituary up on its website. Let's reflect on the warmth of Jim Carlson's life during this frigid stretch of weather back in his old stomping grounds. He was in my father Ralph's men's chorus when it opened the Minnesota Day program at the 1962 Seattle World's Fair a.k.a. Century 21 Exposition. 

I wrote feature articles on both jazz and concert band and took a great many photos of all the doings - a labor of love. I remember the "Godzilla concert!"

The end comes for all of us. Here is the obituary for Jim:

James Carlson, 78, was born in Sioux Falls, SD on July 29, 1943 to Jack and Ethel Carlson. He passed away unexpectedly on December 24, 2021 in Ocala, FL of natural causes. Jim was raised in Glenwood, MN with his five wonderful brothers and sisters whom he loved dearly. He met his wife Kay (Joranger) when they were in MN All State Choir in high school. He attended the University of Minnesota, Morris where he began dating Kay. Jim graduated with distinction with a degree in music education in 1965. Kay and Jim were married in 1965. Jim went on to receive a master of music in trumpet performance with high distinction from Moorhead State College in 1968 and a doctor of music education with high distinction from Indiana University in 1972. Jim began his music teaching career at Hancock High School in Hancock, MN, Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN and Manchester College in Manchester, Indiana.

In 1978 Jim, Kay, and their three children Jay, Brent and Kim moved to Morris, MN. He taught music at the University of MN, Morris and created the UMM Jazz Fest in 1979. He received the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) Educator of the Year award in 2000 and was inducted into the MMEA Hall of Fame in 2006. His UMM jazz groups played at Carnegie Hall and the Montreux and North Sea Jazz Festivals as well as concerts around the Midwest. He taught at UMM until his retirement to The Villages with Kay in 2009. Jim “Doc” Carlson loved teaching his students and was proud of each one of them for their accomplishments.

Jim also loved to golf. He liked it because it was quiet. He was exceptionally good at it, and managed to accomplish 25 holes-in-one. Mostly he enjoyed being outside in the fresh air and spending time with other golfers – especially in The Villages. His children and grandchildren loved to play golf with him because it was where he was quintessentially him.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his niece Jody Solarzano and his nephew Connor McGee. He is survived by his wife Kay, sons Jay and Brent and their wives Mandy and Sue, his daughter Kim and grandchildren Noah, Eliza, Jonah, Jack and Bethany, his brothers and sisters: Jack Carlson, Mary Thompson, Linda Carlson, Alice McGee, and Bob Carlson, his Aunt Lorraine Eggimann and his nieces and nephews: Liz Heberlein, Erik Thompson, Petra Nelson, Kirsti Hiltner, Maureen McGee and Caitlin Stokstad.

Donations may be made to the Jim “Doc” Carlson Jazz Fund at the University of MN - Morris and other cash donations included in sympathy cards will used for a bench in his name on hole #2 at the El Diablo golf course where he got his 24th hole-in-one. Please no flowers.