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PATTI UMMEL

MASTER CLOWN:

A Lifetime in the Making

Brian Waltman

If you ask Patti Ummel’s parents how she became a “one stop shop” and can provide those services as
the WCA All Around Clown for 2 consecutive years well. Don’t let the blonde hair…well… er…purple hair
and how she became the first female Master Clown in fool you, Jazzi is one astute business woman!
World Clown Association history, they would tell you: But how did she become Jazzi the clown? In addi-
“…she was always a clown!” Patti puts it this way: “I tion to being the funny middle child, Patti attributes
was a silly, funny kid and I was the “crazy” one of the some of her physical comedy and circus skills to a
bunch! I am the middle child of 3 girls. I loved getting class she took in high school. Instead of the tradition-
attention and loved getting laughs! I was a “clown”, al gym class, junior and senior students could enroll
before I consciously wanted to become a clown. I in a circus stunts class. It was there she learned to jug-
think that was my way of getting noticed...to do, or gle, ride a unicycle and perform adagio stunts, etc. Af-
say, funny things. ter high school, those skills took a back seat to her real

My love for clowns started when I was 2 years old dream of being a professional racquetball player! She
with the clown you see pictured. I guess I always had was on the racquetball team in college and took busi-
a little clown inside of me just waiting to come out! ness and marketing classes.

Patti’s is also known as Jazzi the clown. If you talk After graduation, career and corporate jobs took
to her for even one minute, you will soon realize she is her down the business path. It wasn’t until she was
passionate about being a clown! Patti owns and oper- married and expecting her first child that the clown-
ates Jazzi Entertainment, a full service family friend- ing bug bit her again. This time, it changed her life
ly variety entertainment company. She prides herself forever! She wanted to be home for her children and
in being a full time family entertainer. Patti’s children researched opportunities in a community college con-
and her boyfriend are key contributors to her success- tinuing education catalog. She found a class on “How
ful business. She works hard at giving her clients the to become a clown.” The class was taught by Violet
personalized touch. Her bookings often start off with “Brrdie” Schadeck. Brrdie eventually became Jazzi’s
a phone call. This initial call helps her find out more first clown mentor. Patti says: ….”maybe that’s why
details surrounding the client’s event. Patti uses this when I saw Brrdie (Violet Schadeck) for the first time,
opportunity to inform her clients of other services entering the classroom just full of life, happiness and
her business can provide. For example, the client may joy.... everything at that moment came together for
have inquired about her face painting skills, but the me! The lightbulb went off in my head, and I knew
party plans on having balloon decor and a DJ. Patti instantly that being a clown was my passion and what
takes this opportunity to let the client know, she is I wanted to do for the rest of my life!” 

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