We take the annual Jazz Fest a day at a time. We generally preview the sound files for the night’s offerings on the day of the show and then head out the door with a rough sketch. We like to be surprised. Tonight we only found two bands that caught our interest and no surprises. The best is yet to come.
Free parking is getting harder and harder to find in Downtown Rochester. All the spots we we found in years past are in areas that are being redeveloped. I dropped Peggi off near City Blue and went on the hunt for a spot. When I reconnected with her she was standing in a long line between two rows of port-o-johns on Barrett Place. But she had already talked to the vocalist, Cecile McLorin Salvant, telling her, “We’re looking forward to your performane” as she walked by. We brought our dinner, a green salad, rice dish and two Sam Adams and before we knew it we were inside Kilbourn Hall.
At twenty three Salvant has a voice way beyond her years and a fabulous piano, bass and drums trio. She opened accompanied by only the bass player with a song called “Lonely Town.” Then Glitter and Be Gay” and three Cole Porter songs. Most of her songs are from a long time ago. She is very theatrical and musical but just didn’t draw us in with her readings of these classic songs. I would prefer more of a personal stamp.
If you search for a sound file of “Music Music Music” you won’t come up with the band, “MusicMusicMusic.” Despite their digital indexing problem the Swedish band has been together for more than ten years . They were at Jazz Fest in this same venue back in 2008. Their first number tonight opened up to a drum solo, the second one was slow with bowed bass and a pretty, spacious effect on the piano. They were so enjoyable I almost forgot to snap a photo of them. The piano player leads this trio and was expeceptionally melodic. They finished the set with the Theresa Brewer song, “Music! Music! Music!” Hard to get that one out of your head. Hope they haven’t been doing that for ten years.
I’m keeping track of what we see at the 2015 Jazz Fest over here.
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