Had a great night, we “only” got to four venues and they were all wonderful music experiences. There was plenty of buzz that Ravi Coltrane was going to be packed and it would be a good idea to be in line early. We thought we were early arriving at the venue at 3:15 for a 6 PM show. The line was already down Jazz Street and we were at the turn into the alley. Plenty of interesting folk to talk with as always so the time went by easily. We managed to get our favorite seats on the right center aisle at the back of the front section. Easy access to the exit should that become necessary and great site line unless there is a pianist who sets the piano with the keyboard to the left. Most of them seem to have set the piano so the keyboard is toward the audience to keep them in closer communication with their group. This was not even a issue with Coltrane, the sax was front and slightly left of center. We enjoyed the entire performance – what’s not to enjoy with a great sax player backed by fine sidemen. We sadly left just before the last number to get in line outside Hatch to hear Harold Levy.
We had heard him the night before with Trio Globo and were intrigued at what he would do in Hatch which is used for solo piano with no enhancement, it is a pure acoustic venue and has limited seating. Levy came out and started playing without any introduction. Midway through he seemed to remember he had his harmonicas along and got one out for one number. At the end of the performance a standing extended applause brought him back for an encore. Before he played he commented as have so many others about the wonderful piano, the wonderful hall and the great audience. His words, paraphrased, “You listened so intently you almost frightened me.” Then he played one more piece starting with the harmonica.
Where to go from there? We had a plan, but we were hungry. So we stopped at Bricks & Motor food truck where Carol had the CousCous and I had a lobster roll which we carried over to the Big Tent where we found a table and relaxed for 10 minutes. Then we headed over to Lutheran Church for Jacob Karlzon 3 (JK3). This is the group that got delayed in Iceland the day before. Well, two got delayed and Karlzon got in and performed with Valery Tolstoy on Wednesday instead of Thursday. In any event Karlzon played piano and some electronics that actually added to the experience and his bassist and drummer were both wonderful and well worth the wait We stayed through the entire performance and then beat it though the beginning rain to Max for Carmen Souza. She is one hot number! We only heard the last third of her performance and would gladly hear her again tonight in Xerox if we didn’t have main stage tickets for Peter Frampton Guitar Circus.
No way to do both and that is the blessing and curse of XRIJF. We are going to try to get into Hilario Duran Trio at Max at 6:15. Find some food there and get over to Kodak Hall in time to find our seats by 7:30. If that gets out by 9:30, who knows where the buzz will take us, maybe to Lutheran or if later to the Big Tent for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band (if we can’t hear them from a block away).
After tonight there is only one more night of Jazz Fest. I am ready to resume life in the real world, but I really am going to have withdrawal from planning, running and writing about it. Also Carol is going to have to relearn how to cook. We haven’t had a dinner home since June 20!
