Iowa Jazz Hall of Fame

10/4/2023

Every city has its jazz heroes, and Des Moines is no exception. For the past 22 years, the Community Jazz Center of Greater Des Moines (CJC) has honored these heroes with its Annual Hall of Fame and Special Recognition Awards. 

The Des Moines Jazz Hall of Fame was established in 2001 to honor those musicians who call Des Moines (or central Iowa) home. Musicians selected for the Hall of Fame have not only influenced future generations of musicians but have provided the city’s jazz fans with years of musical adventure and enjoyment. Since then, 56 individuals have been honored. 

This year’s event is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 22, at Noce in Des Moines.

CJC will be inducting two musicians into the Hall of Fame: trumpeter Dave Rezek and saxophonist/educator Chris Merz. Special Recognition Awards will also go to saxophonist Dave Bohl, trombonist John Kendeigh and long-time CJC treasurer Ron Rubek.

The Next Generation Award, which focuses on up-and-coming musicians who are making an impact on music in Des Moines, is awarded to Nate Sparks.

The Bobby Dawson Award, presented to a student musician involved with CJC monthly jam sessions, goes to saxophonist Andrew Wittmer, a senior at Waukee’s Northwest High School.

Dave Rezek’s jazz journey to Hall of Fame

Dave Rezek of Des Moines is one of the musicians being inducted into the Des Moines Jazz Hall of Fame. Rezek recently shared his jazz journey with CITYVIEW.

His accolades are numerous. Dave is a trumpet player and currently the artistic and creative director for the Des Moines Big Band since 2015. He teaches jazz band at Roosevelt High School and private trumpet lessons at Susie Miget’s Creative Music Studio. He plays with the Alpha State Agents, the Iowa Jazz Composers Orchestra, Tony Valdez Big Band and Max Wellman’s Big Band, among others.  

Dave’s journey began playing trumpet in fifth-grade band at Meredith Middle School. “Another trumpet student quit, so I received private lessons. I fell in love with playing,” he recalls.

In middle school, he was inspired by the Hoover Jazz Band. As a student, he played at a Kansas City jazz festival with greats such as Count Basie and Buddy Rich. “Seeing these players, I fell in love with the whole thing.”

He played jazz at UNI and pursued a career playing the trumpet, moving to Boston. He kept his day job at Ernst and Young and eventually moved to New York City. “New York opened up opportunities,” he says. “I got plugged into a networks of friends. I was subbing on Broadway. It was my goal to get a full-time job playing on Broadway playing my trumpet.” 

He played professionally for 11 years, performing as an original member of Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society and subbed on Broadway’s “Jersey Boys.”

Life threw Rezek a curveball when he and his wife started a family and performing took a backseat. “Our first child was more challenging than we imagined. We had no support and felt the pull to be closer to family and Iowa,” he says. “It was an opportunity versus quality of life. I just missed getting a full-time Broadway show.”

Once he returned to Iowa, he was given numerous jazz opportunities to teach, but fewer opportunities to perform. “There weren’t a lot of places to perform. It’s tough to have a professional music career here,” he reflects.

He founded a jazz series at the former Des Moines Social Club. He continues to immerse himself with discovering local places to play jazz. 

He’s met his goal, which was to be the best professional player possible. He teaches that philosophy by mentoring his son, who is on a similar musical path. “I hope to pass on life lessons to him. You have to push yourself to be the best you can.”

Rezek says he is honored to receive the jazz award. “It’s very humbling. I’ve had so many mentors over the years. It’s a great honor to be recognized,” he says. “I hope it puts a spotlight on jazz music. There’s a lot of incredible players and educators in the jazz world.” ♦