It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing. Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah.

For the first time in some years, Mrs. N and I went to see some of the acts at the Rochester International Jazz Festival. This is only the 8th year of the festival, still young by the standards of say, Monterrey, Montreaux, or other, more well established venues. This doesn't mean it's not a big deal. In fact it has gained a reputation on the festival circuit as being one of the best run in the country, and this is from the artists themselves.

It all starts here, at the Eastman Theatre...
Built in 1922 by George Eastman of Kodak fame, it is home to the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and serves as the principal venue for all the headliners at the jazz festival. It is also connected with the Eastman School of Music, the most prestigious music school in North America, even surpassing Julliard in many of its programs. Students come here from all over the world to study.

What is even more impressive is that in the face of economic hardship, when many other festivals have been canceled, (including the NYC jazz festival, of all places) Rochester's has expanded and is actually doing better and better every year. Like many other jazz festivals however, they have needed to book acts outside of what would be considered jazz, especially by purists of the art. Still, it makes for a fine music festival, with both international, national, and local musicians plying their trade in the music halls and streets of the East End of downtown Rochester.

We strolled down Gibbs St. after being on East Ave. to hear both Tower Of Power, and Robert Randolph and The Family Band, that were playing on opposite ends of East Ave. Mrs. N. is not a fan of funk, so we wound up listening to the Po' Boys, a band that does covers of everything from jazz to rock.

Of course there were the requisite vendor stands, with everything from hot dogs, to ice cream to t-shirts to what-have-you. To say that the streets were packed is an understatement


To get an idea of who was playing here, you simply came to the bill plastered on the side of the Eastman, and you get a pretty good feel for the scope of the concert:
There are some acts that have been here before, especially one guy, who some of you might know. He is, in no uncertain terms, a legend:
The man is 90 years old and still tours. He is the epitome of the jazz musician who will probably die doing what he loves.

There are other regulars too:
Yep, Rochester is a huge music town, and this festival is just one example. If you're in the area, there's still one night left, so, "Grab your flat hat and your axe/For tomorrow at ten, we'll be working again." (Steely Dan - "Teahouse On The Tracks.")

Beware of Canadians bearing gifts...

...for they just might become a good friend. As I mentioned, Violet Sky trekked across the border to come to Rochester's Lilac Festival this past Thursday, and to have a blog meet with yours truly. As she mentioned on her post, this was my very first blog meet, so I am no longer a virgin, and I don't even feel dirty about it.

I have to give her a lot of credit; the weather, at least at first, was decidedly uncooperative. I thought for a bit that she might cancel on me, but it's obvious that those who live up in the Great White North are made of even heartier stock than we are. The rain was coming down pretty hard on her trek here, and as I waited at one of the two Starbucks that I frequent for her arrival, I was getting suspicious that the festival might turn into a total washout.

I needn't have worried, as it turned out. She pulled into the parking lot, and I spied her as she was walking towards me, and as we recognized each other from the pictures we sent to each other, we both broke out in big smiles, and hugged warmly. While it was still raining pretty well, she was sans umbrella, and I thought she was probably thinking: "I'm from Canada. Umbrella? I don't need no steekin' umbrella!"

After deciding that the first best thing to do was to grab some lunch, and then head off to the festival, we hopped into our cars and I guided her down towards Park Ave, to one of my fav restaurants, Sinbad's. We dined on falafel kebabs, and generous portions of humus with sides of pita wedges for slopping it up. She commented on the size of the food portions, and I had to remind her that this is America. *wink* While we were eating, the sun broke through, and the day took a turn for the better, weather-wise.

While at lunch, we talked about a wide variety of things, a little about our lives, how we got to where we are today, a little about Burlington, where she lives, and then she surprised me with a small gift:

A little bit of Canada in a nice wrapper turns out to be:
Along with this little thing that is now proudly displayed on my fridge:
After stuffing ourselves silly, We hopped in my car for the ride to my theatre (that she mentions in her post) that will soon be closing its doors to move to a new location. Along the way there, I showed her the mansions of East Ave in Rochester, which were at one time the homes of the very rich movers and shakers in the city, including the George Eastman House, former home of the founder of Kodak (now a museum).

After taking her onstage and backstage, we hopped back in my car, picked up hers, and headed off to the festival. Miraculously, we found a good place to park, and headed off into Highland Park, site of the festival. Taking in the sights and sounds, and smells, we stopped for some liquid refreshment, and just talked and talked. I felt a little guilty, as I know I can have a tendency to monopolize a conversation, but I think that we found out we had a lot in common, especially when we were in my car earlier, and I put a CD in that she instantly recognized.

"Wow, that's Pat Metheny!" she blurted out. I had no idea she was a big fan of his, and had seen him to boot. There was no doubt now that we had formed a good friendship.

We cruised through the festival, and it was time for me to leave, as I had to get to a meeting that my supervisor decided to shcedule for that day. We said our good-bye's, hugged, and I gave her directions back to teh highway from the park.

Now, it's my turn to return the visit, hopefully sooner rather than later. This blog meeting stuff is okay in my book.

Gimme that ole' time music.......

Today was BopFest2, a bluegrass/roots music fest here in Rochester at Village Gate Square. My friend Ryan plays upright bass with "The Varnish Cooks," an "old time music" band, and below are a pic and a (very) short vid. (Sorry about the video quality.)
Check them out when you have a chance!