It’s Thursday only three more nights, but first here is what we did last night.

As we were preparing to leave the apartment for the  6 :00 PM show at Montage where Connie Han was going to play with her trio, a massive storm moved over the city. It poured for almost 30 minutes. We had planned to be in line at 4:45 but it was still raining hard so we waited and debated how to dress for continuing rain as the temperature plummeted from 90 to 72. By 5 it had stopped and we headed out wearing raincoats and rain hats with an umbrella just to be safe. We got to Montage at 5:35 and the doors were open and there was even decent seating available. By 6 the house was at SRO! The Trio were wonderful and Connie is a fantastic pianist – she would have to be to be a Steinway Artist! 

We walked from there to The Temple where Tommy Smith was solo sax on a large stage in a large hall. It was restful, too restful. We moved on to Glory House and Joonas Haavisto Trio. This Finnish trio kept us wide awake for most of the set. We left a bit early to get some dinner near the Big Tent. I had forgotten that the Artichoke French was merely okay. Carol had her own mock tuna she brought from home. 

We moved on from there to The Theater at Innovation Sq where Stephane Wremble was assembled with 4 more musicians. his background traces to Django Reinhardt one of the great guitarist/composers who had a Gypsy background. From the moment we entered we could not sit still, even the slow numbers kept us moving. The bass player, Ari Folman-Cohen was a force to be reckoned with along with th drummer and pianist. Wremble’s commentary was interesting if hard to understand given the sound system and his accent. Even though we had another performance to get to we stayed on even when he ran overtime with a stunning finale featuring everyone. We left out of breath and hoarse from screaming to hear Emmaline at the Hyatt. 

Emmaline is 23 and I could say in this case it showed. Her voice had a harshness to it. Her sax player was really good, but does the world really need an electronic instrument that has clarinet fingering and sort of sounds like a reed instrument? This was her second instrument. The pianist looked bored even when singing backup. We left early and headed downstairs to the Jam Session with Bob Sneider. After one set we decided to call it a night and save something for tonight.

The plan – I have to make this up as I write it. Carol and I haven’t gotten together on this so it is really more of a possible outline. Start at Montage for Big Lazy at 6:00 on to Glory House for Jochen Rueckert Quartet at 7:30 then Lioness at Theater at Innovation Sq at 8:30 then Tuck and Patty at Temple at 9:15 finishing up at Max for John Bailey Sextet. I’m exhausted just writing all that. I’m sure someplace we will get word that there is something we must not miss. We also will break away at some point to eat. It would be another 5 performance night if we do all of that. 

If you are interested in the geography or more information on the groups https://rochesterjazz.com/ will get all the information you might care for. Nothing is more than a 15 minute walk from our apartment – except the Little Theater, make that 20 minutes. Most of the venues are within 10 minutes of each other. How amazing is it that central Rochester has at least 11 good Jazz venues within such a tight circle. Actually there are at least 4 more venues that were not chosen this year.

See you “on the street”

What a great night! The weather was almost perfect. too warm 88 F as we left the apartment but it cooled off to a lovely mid 70’s  by early evening. We headed for Max to hear Nabate Isles. We picked up our entrance wrist bands at 4:15 and prepared to hang out on “the Street” until they opened the doors at 5:45. I was dismayed to find that there was no staff for the drink and pretzel concession so we had to wait without the solace of nosh and beer. It was worth the wait. Isles and his quartet played music that was mostly composed by himself or other members of the group even though there was bones from the long history of Jazz as the base. There was no leaving until the last note was sounded and the musicians left the stage. 

We headed out to pick up dinner. Carol got her salad at Ludwig’s and I went to the Louisiana Blackened Chicken Plate. Not great food but perfect Jazz Fest street food.  After meeting a former work colleague and chatting for a bit we tried to get into Connie Han at Hatch, but no joy, the place was at capacity. We walked over to our next planned show at Theater at Innovation Sq (they really need to find  a shorter name like Xerox) for Peter Bernstein and his group. Again we were pinned to our seats enjoying the tight relationship within the group and the fine guitar playing.

We did leave before the final note since we had no idea what the crowd would be like for Brubeck Brothers at Hyatt Ballroom. We managed to completely miss Robin Thicke at Parcel 5 by taking Clinton Ave to Main then over to the Hyatt. The brothers found the ballroom quite empty. At best I imagine half the seats in the auditorium seating are were occupied. The first set had been at capacity. The small audience did not deter them. They drew on a broad range of sources for their repertoire, much of it digging back to the Dave Brubeck era. We were thrilled. Late in the set Chris announced a piece by talking about 9/8 timing. It could only be Blue Rondo al Turk and it was. Carol and I could not sit still. It was their version but clearly based on the original. They came off of that and Chris mentioned something about 5/4 and we knew there is only one Jazz piece with that time signature – Take 5! The last time we heard Take 5 or Blue Rond for that matter in live performance was when Dave Brubeck himself was on the Eastman Main Stage for Jazz Fest 2007. 

This was a grand cap for our 58th Anniversary at CGI Rochester International Jazz Fest. We went on to the Jam Session with Bob Sneider. When we were ready to leave the door out to the corner of Main and South was locked, but the attendant opened it for us when we explained that our apartment was just up the block. One more show of courtesy from Hyatt staff.

For tonight the 6th night we will line up early for Connie Han Trio at Montage at 6:00 then Tommy Smith at Temple Theater at 7:00 then a break for food before heading off to Stephane Wrembel at Theater at Innovation Sq at 8:30 No current choice for the 10 PM, we shall see.

Plan? what plan! We started with Michael Weis in Hatch at 5:45 with the hall at maybe 2/3 capacity. He is a very fine Jazz solo pianist, but even in the second row his speaking was hard to understand. About 25 minutes in we had had enough and finally, and a bit rudely I must admit, we got up from our aisle seats and left in the middle of a number. We crossed the street to Max which we had planned for 10 PM to hear Dan Wilson on guitar. His set was less about his guitar playing than his music with brilliant performances by piano, drummer and bass. Near the end he brought up a guest performer Nabate Isles on trumpet. We will return to hear him tonight. 

We skipped out the back door to get to Ms Lisa Fischer at the Temple. We almost got shutout. They closed the entry behind us as the hall as at capacity. It took us a while to find seats, initially two singles. Although the sound in the hall is still less than ideal, she filled it with her powerful voice, sense of humor and wonderful musicality. We left at the finale missing an encore and found dinner on the street. Carol got her salad at Ludwigs and I was back to Robs Kabob. Those sweet plantains are just too wonderful. I’ll have to avoid them tonight to try something else.

But onward to Kilbourn for Melissa Aldana Quartet. The music was very much modern and not really to our taste. Carol noted that in the opening number it was not clear that the quartet were all playing the same charts. I noted that Melissa, on saxophone, never stopped moving. She was doing deep knee bends and stretches with every change in pitch. Even when she stepped out to give the stage to the sidemen she was gyrating. We left after 35 minutes and crossed the corner to The Big Tent for Bill Warfield’s Hells Kitchen Funk.  We might have stayed for the set but the AC in the Tent was intolerable. They had it set for a full house on a hot night and the place was at 10% of capacity and it was cool out.

We went home and enjoyed a special cake Carol had made for our 58th Anniversary which is today June 21.

A special note: This day 58 years ago my college roommate and friend Jonathan Kerner married Peggy. I  miss him and cannot let our anniversary go by without acknowledging the friendship. I am so glad we are still in touch with Peggy. He was supposed to have been my Best Man until they chose the same date.

The Plan: Nabate Isles at Max at 6:15 (see above); Peter Bernstein Theater at innovation Sq at 8:30; Jeremy Pelt at Kilbourn at 9:00 and Brubeck Bros at Hyatt at 9:45. Just looking at this it isn’t going to work as there are several overlaps, but this is who I think we want to hear. 

No plan stands confrontation with reality, not even a plan for one night of Jazz. As planned we started with Kenny Werner Trio in Kilbourn. We were transfixed and never got up to cross the street for Michael Weiss Trio in Max. We stopped for food, me on the Street, Rob’s Kabobs,  and Carol brought her food from home. Next stop was Glory House and Under the Surface. We did not last through the first number! I think we must have seen this group years ago, maybe with a different name. The vocalist started with some weird noises and the percussionist had more bells and doodads to make noise with than I can classify. We left and moved on to unplanned Champian Fulton playing solo at Hatch Recital Hall. She was as wonderful as with her group the night before. So glad we heard her again.

We left before the end to get  to Theater at Innovation Sq Where Ravi Coltrane and his trio were already blowing the walls out. Yes, he is the son of that Coltrane. He took his music from the standards, and went beyond. The drummer was superb both in accompanying Coltrane and in his solos. We stayed through the encore before bolting to go ??? The plan was Ranky Tanky at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom, but on the way out the Gracis strongly suggested Martin Taylor at Montage. We sort of decided to head for Michael Weiss Trio at Max, but as we were walking over we passed Montage and decided to here some guitar. The place was packed, SRO, so we stood in the back waiting for seating. After 30 minutes it became clear no one was leaving so reluctantly we headed home since we had been to five performances and we were tired. 

Tonight’s picks were Carol’s work. I’ve just spent 30 minutes and the creation of a new spreadsheet to figure out how to get to the five venues we want to go to. Michael Weiss is at Hatch at 5:45 then off to the Temple for Lisa Fischer vocalist at 7. From there we are going to Melissa Aldana Quartet for some more sax at Kilbourn at 9. Wrapping with Dan Wilson at Kilbourn at 10. If we can fit it in there is Bill Warfield’s Hell’s Kitchen Funk in the Big Tent. I haven’t got a clue when we might get to eat.  I suspect we might have to let go of Lisa Fischer to catch some air.

Watch this space tomorrow to see how it actually works.

We almost stuck to the plan. First stop was Tiberi & Garzone at Montage. We expected a line up so we got there about 5 for doors to open at 5:30. there was one couple inline when we arrived. The line grew, but never filled the hall until after the doors opened and the performers were about to come on stage. Two fine old sax players, a snoozer. We left after 30 minutes – Carol had to wake me up. With 30 minutes before Robin McKelle in the Temple Theater, which is large, we stopped at Ludwigs on Jazz Street for a quick meal. It was better than most Truck food. 

Robin McKelle did not disappoint. She has a fine voice and her trio were also wonderful. The audio was a bit overdriven and her words were muddied by too much reverb. I turned my hearing aids way done. Part of the sound was the hall and part of it was the insistence of musicians, or their sound people, to amplify beyond the needs of the performer and the audience. This is hardly a new complaint . 

Speaking of overdriven sound levels, as we traversed Parcel Five, the performance center for the free headliners, we felt the pain before we got there. The stage faces the former Sibley Building and the reverb off the building just added to effect of very loud noise with very little music to it. We passed through there a couple of times, out of necessity but I won’t count those “concerts” as attended – Devon Allman Project + Dirty Dozen Brass band. I guess it was special for the soon to be hard of hearing.

We made it to the Theater at Innovation Square for Champian Fulton Trio. What a wonderful difference. The sound was just right and her voice was wonderful straight Jazz and her piano playing was thrilling. The drummer and bassist provided great support and also fine solos. This was a most enjoyable concert and the best of the night. We chose to make it the closer for us and head home, once more through Allman et al. 

Tonight’s plan is already blurry. we  plan to get in line for Kenny Werner Trio in Kilbourn OR Michael Weiss Trio in Max (or both). Under the Surface in Glory House (former Lutheran Church). Ravi Coltrane (yes, his son) in The Theater at Innovation Square and a wrap with Rank Tanky at Hyatt Ballroom, unless we choose Michael Weis at Max based on word on the street. It’s a sort of a plan, we’ll see how it goes. I know Michael Weiss is on there twice, we would like to hear his group but when is the problem. Watch tomorrow to see what we actually do.

As you might expect the plan fell apart almost from the first scheduled performance. Note “scheduled.” Giveton Gelin and his quartet were 15 minutes late getting started because of bad weather in NYC causing their flight to be delayed/cancelled. They drove in from NYC and arrived a bit late for sound check. As we entered Max, 30 minutes before the program we noted the bassist alone on stage noodling. Also the drummer was setting up his kit as we watched. Marc Iacona, Producer, came on stage to tell us that they would be late because of flight delays.

It was worth the wait, Giveton is a masterful trumpet player and composer and his quartet, were superb. Each was featured in most numbers, but the transitions were gradual. In each piece Giveton opened with the lead and then drifted off and left the stage to the group who were in constant communication with each other and Giveton.

We were ready to stay for more but already were late for Tessa Souter who it turned out was even later and we decided to get a sandwich at Java Joe and head to Theater at Innovation Square. We arrived with time to spare and found seats next to Linda and Ken Graci after stopping to talk with Steve Jacobs. We had seen the Gracis on the street before the first show. we were here to hear California Guitar Trio. They entered with a flat top guitar, an arch top F hole guitar and a Chapman Stick (I had heard of it but never seen it in performance). We were wowed by the music and the performance. The music ranged from Classical to straight jazz (Ellington’s Caravan) with a pause for “Ghost Riders in the Sky” along the way. We will go to hear them again given the opportunity.

We moved on as the evening grew chillier to Montage where singer Shayna Steele and her quartet were poised to bring down the house and raise the heat. We ended up with seats one row back from the stage. These are not  really preferred since they in direct line with A/C blast and with at least one of the speakers. I turned my hearing aids down as far as they would go. If I’d had a container for them I might have just removed them. Shayna had energy to spare and a voice that is both beautifully controlled and very powerful. Her drummer and keyboard worked really hard to balance her singing and the guitar and base were not holding back either. 

This was only the third performance for us and it was a night. We got off to a great start with three wonderful sets.

Tonight we are starting with Tiberi & Garzon where we left off last night at Montage. Then Robin Mckelle at Temple Theater. From there to Champian Fulton Trio at Theater at Innovation Square and finishing up with Kind Folk at the Wilder. I may have to eat before it all gets going. Watch for tomorrow’s post.

I am so excited for Rochester International Jazz Fest to be back after two years off for that infection that I am starting to write about it a day early. We have our Club Passes and are ready to go.

Carol and I have had the app with all the programming for a couple of days now and so far we still can’t agree on where to go Friday night for the first shows. As with most of our plans what follows is an outline of what we are thinking right now, Saturday Morning I’ll write up a review of what we actually did. 

We are planning on opening this years Jazz Fest with Giveton Galin at Max at 6:15; Tessa Souter at Glory house (formerly Lutheran Church) at 7:30; California Guitar Trio at Theater at Innovation Square (formerly Xerox Square) 8:30; The Cookers at Kilbourn Hall at 9 (that may not work) Shayna Steele at Montage Music hall at 10. Of course there will be the Jam Session at the Hyatt a block from our apartment.

We may find time for some street food after Giveton Galin. We are looking forward to meeting ‘waiting line friends from past years and hearing some music that it new to us although Tessa Souter has been here most every year I can remember.