The 2008 Rochester International Jazz Fest is in full swing, and this page has been taken over and re-dubbed for the week. If you are looking for other RIJF goers who seek virtual and face-to-face interactions, check these guys out:
I’ll add others during the week as I find them. I’m always looking for discussion, argument, and reflections on one of my favorite weeks of the year, so please e-mail or comment, and maybe even say hello at a show.
On Monday night I was lucky enough to catch a good seat for Cindy Blackman’s first set (She is a monster!) at the Harro and a little of Dan “The Festival Guy” Quilty hoofing at the Jazz Street Stage. While one occasionally hears snickers and giggles when Dan is around, I have to say that his lack of self-consciousness and his ability to freely be himself is at the heart of the jazz ideal.
I was thinking about Dan after seeing both of the Dr. Lonnie Smith sets last night. Smith was so at ease on stage. He responded to some inattentive audience members by upping the ante and playing at a level that could not be ignored. His old band-mate, Lou Donaldson displayed the same ease the night before to play a set that elicited a similar response from a vocally appreciative crowd.
Another thing that I saw on Monday, and then again last night was post-set interaction of the artist with the crowd. Cindy Blackman took time after the set to talk to many of the audience members who lined up to shake her hand or grab an autograph. Bill Tiberio did the same thing last night. Most of the musicians that I have the pleasure to interacting with have been generally appreciative and accepting of the interactions. It is one of the really appealing aspects of this festival.
So, I noticed that every time I took pictures of Lonnie Smith his hands were blurry. Surprise. Surprise. So today, instead of writing a bunch of stuff that no one wants to read, here are some pictures of the good doctor’s hands.
Technorati Tags: RIJF, Rochester International Jazz Fest, Jazz, Lonnie Smith
