PORT TOWNSEND — A hootenanny, replete with gospel, blues, jazz, folk and rhythm and blues, will fill the Cellar Door, 940 Water St., tonight (Wednesday evening) in honor of Jim Jenkins, the local musician and videographer affectionately known as JJ.
Jenkins, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer some years ago, is now in hospice care.
Wednesday’s gathering is both a show of moral support for him and a fundraiser to help with medical and other expenses.
Admission is a suggested $10 to $15 donation, but no one will be turned away, said organizer Robin Bessier.
The music will flow from 6 p.m. till 9 p.m., and it will be a true variety show, she added: The Gospel Opry, the Threshold Choir and Jenkins’ friends Jack Pyatt, Mike James, Jack and Joe, Skeeter, Gerry Sherman, Kevin Mason, Hank Sondie, Judith-Kate Friedman, Chris Montgomery and Don Clark are all set to play.
Old, new friends
Bessier, who also sings with the band Sollati and with her own jazz trio, has formed a band especially for Wednesday’s event. Called Full Circle, it’s a combination of old friends and new, including George Radebaugh, Brian Douglas, Ted Enderle and Tom Svornich.
Jenkins himself, though quite weak, has expressed his desire to join in on at least one song.
“He’s putting all of his energy toward being there,” said Bessier.
Jenkins marked his 76th birthday this month. He grew up in Cleveland and says he “got over it” and has since lived in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Toured folk circuit
During the 1950s and ’60s, Jenkins toured the folk-music circuit in the Midwest and Europe with his then-wife Pinky. They have since divorced, but he still considers her his best friend.
He and Pinky appeared on “The Mike Douglas Show,” where they sang a song they had recorded, “Bob Manry and the Sea,” based on the true tale of a man who crossed the Atlantic Ocean in a 14-foot boat.
In 2006, Jenkins relocated to Quilcene and then to Port Townsend. He’s made a name for himself as a professional photographer and graphic artist, designing a Newport Jazz Festival poster and the cover of a “Brady Bunch” album.
But luck has been fickle. Finances have often been a challenge, and there was a time when he found himself without funds or a job.
But in Jefferson County, he found OlyCAP, or Olympic Community Action Programs, which provided him with food and help paying his bills.
Then he got a job with OlyCAP at the Quilcene Community Center; from there, he went on to manage the Tri-Area Community Center in Chimacum, which he has done until recently.
Jenkins also became well-known in the community as a regular musical contributor at local open mics and at the Gospel Opry, Unity Spiritual Enrichment Center and the now-defunct Upstage in downtown Port Townsend.
He discovered an old musical colleague, Hank Sondie, living in town several years ago, and together, they formed a duo, JJ and Hammerin’ Hank, to play in local venues.
Jenkins also took on the volunteer post as coordinator for the monthly Northwind Arts Center singer-songwriter showcases.
He was often seen shooting video of musical events around Port Townsend, too, and many of the videos can be seen on YouTube, Fandalism, Reverbnation and other social media sites.
For more information about Wednesday’s hootenanny for Jenkins, phone Bessier at 360-385-3691.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
