We started the night on line for Dr Lonnie Smith at Kilbourn at 4:15 PM (6 PM show).  We were well within range to get in but way back in the pack.  For those who know the layout we were in stinky pass way down the alley between two rows of port-a-johns.  The crowd was friendly and we made new friends who I am sure we will see on line again this week.  He is Tim, no idea what her name is.

Dr Smith blew the house down with his Hammond B3 organ and synthesizer and Apple computer, not to mention a great drummer and guitarist.  We couldn’t sit still and were sad when 7 O’clock rolled around, but we had to leave to get on to another performer.  We missed his encore 🙁

We ran to Abilene for John Mooney & Bluesiana, talk about a change of pace!  We got in before the crowd had peaked and were able to get some food from the Tavern 58 table before the music started.  We really enjoyed listening and bopping to the group.  Mooney was playing mostly on a National Steel Guitar with resonator and he was accompanied by bass, keyboard and harmonica from there . . .

we trotted to Christ Church where we found ourselves back in line to hear YolanDa Brown on Sax with a quartet backing her up.  She was playing a great show when we got in just short of half way through.  Late in the show she came down into the audience to acknowledge her family members who were present.  She elected to climb through the row in front of us while continuing to play the soprano sax.  When she was directly in front of us she found the seat empty and sat down and continued playing.  We really enjoyed the performance, but were ready to move on to. . .

Rochester Club where Halle Loren trio was performing.  We got seats with our knees pressing against the stage.  In found myself staring at her knees and had to work to look up when she was using the stage front microphone.  The City review was gently unkind.  She is much more of a quiet club performer, suited to an environment where people engage in quiet conversation with her in the background.  Carol left early to get an Abbots (soft ice cream), I had enjoyed some salsa and chips and stayed another couple of numbers before rejoining her on the street.

We moved on towards the apartment with a detour to The Rochester Plaza State Street Grill for the late night Jam Session.  Along about 12:30 Terell Stafford took the stage with John Nugent (producer) and MIke Cottone along with Bob Sneider and his trio.  They rocked the place for about 25 minutes and after they took a break Carol and I decided it was too far past bed time to even consider waiting around for the next set.  Well we thought about it but we had to get up to spend time with grandson Josh at 10:30 so we called it a night.

Tonight we are starting at Montage with Stretch and planning on closing at Rochester Club withMike Brignola and Friends.  In between we will try to fit in The Sneider Brothers, Christian Wallumrod, and Rafael Zaldivar.

To see the actual lineups click on http://www.rochesterjazz.com/artist_lineup/?option=view_by_date for City Newspaper Reveiws click here.

Until tomorrow!