Rochester Jazz Fest 2011 (Part 2)

Well, after starting with a bang my festival trip ended with a bang as well in the form of the dynamic Curtis Stigers – Kilbourn Hall was packed of course – in fact people who came to the 6 p.m show returned for the 10 p.m. show, or as he referred to it – the “late show” and anything can happen. Stigers, who is a quick with a quip as a lyric or horn line – commented on the variety of jazz and music at the festival including the Scandanavians with their “long hair and “whale song” …

From the jumpin’ “That’s All Right Mamma” to a soulful “You Don’t Know What Love Is” to one of the best versions of “Bye Bye Blackbird” I’ve ever heard, to Tom Waits “San Diego Serenade” and John Lennon’s “Jealous Guy” – no matter what tempo or tune he chose the audience roared their approval and indeed brought about an encore with a gorgeous “In the Wee Small Hours”. He was backed by his usual outstanding trio – particularly Matthew Friese on piano.

Prior to that I squeezed in some Bonerama because as you may know, I have a particular fondness for trombones – funky stuff, electrifying the the big Verizon tent.

Over the previous two days – with a side trip to the beautiful Finger Lakes area – Keuka Lake wineries – check out McGregor and Konstantin Frank wineries – my music selections were more of a tasting than the full bottle – but that is also the beauty of the pass…if I am not fully involved in the music I can check out the other offerings.

Sunday did produce two stand outs though, a particularly fine vintage if you will – the co artistic director himself – John Nugent gave a free concert in Kodak Hall at the Eastern Theatre with strings (Rochester Philharmonic)– a lush wonderful afternoon beginning with “My Romance” a sultry “Yesterdays”, the latin groove of “Estate” onto a sublime “Polka Dots and Moonbeams” and a lovely “Moonlight in Vermont”. Caught a few tunes of talented up and comer Champian Fulton – vocalist and pianist at Max’s of Eastman Place and then with a stop to refuel and catch some free sounds (bluegrass and the Jazz Street stage) came one of the major highlights of my festival experience.

If you have never seen or heard of Davell Crawford – make sure you jump at the chance. You would never know the firecracker performer, a New Orleans native, singer, pianist and according to his website – B3 player as well, feels he is shy and in fact retired from performing briefly - let’s hope that doesn’t last. He is opening a club in Harlem called Davell’s Underground – that will be on my list of places to visit next time I’m in New York – and should be yours too.

The man is versatile with a capital V – sporting shades and a white straw fedora he launched into a bluesy “Mr. Boss Man” (complete with call and response from the audience) segued into “Jock a mo” and a delightful a cappella “Bye, Bye Blackbird”. That tune again…I’m sensing a trend. Other stellar selections included “Throw It Away”, Leon Russell’s “A Song for You” – featuring him plucking the piano strings and a sweet “I’m Glad There is You” - dedicated to two friends and fans who he learned just prior to going onstage had been shot and killed. Talk about dedication and perseverance.

The audience was reluctant to let him go – even as he paraded out with his trio with a little N’awlins flavor to the Mardi Gras “Indian Red”. Davell even borrowed a drum and some sticks to show he has mastered percussion as well. He was quite simply one of the most mesmerizing musicians I’ve seen.

That’s one of the things I enjoy about the festival – discovering new treasures and revisiting favourites, sharing information in the lineups and how close the venues are…and yes, I even enjoy the ethereal “whale music”. Most of all, I admire how proud the people of Rochester are of their festival….already I’m planning on returning next year. A big thank you to the city of Rochester, its citizens and most of all the festival itself – see you in 2012.