JazzFest - First Weekend
It’s been a few days and some time to reflect on the first weekend of JazzFest. Our JazzFest objectives are very basic: see and hear a variety of musical styles & genres, and to see new performers, along with those we have seen and enjoyed in the past. First weekend did not disappoint, and included Ruthie Foster, Layla McCalla, Cimafunk, Papa Mali, the Headhunters, Amy Helm, Jason Marsalis, Victor Campbell, Charles Lloyd, Robert Cray, Rosie Ledet, the Jambalaya Cajun Band, the Iguanas, Bonsoir Caitin, Bella Fleck, Yusa and Los Cumbia Stars.
Each year, JazzFest includes a Cultural Exchange Pavillon, which highlights the music and culture of a specific Latin country. This year, Columbia is the featured country and close to 200 Colombian artists are participating.
Our highlights thus far? There are many and very difficult to rank. We have vigorous discussions/debates with Jazzfest friends, comparing the who, what & where. But if forced to make a choice, our 1st weekend highlight would be the Los Cumbia Stars. The band consists of nine members, all fantastic musicians and singers, playing high-energy tropical dance music.
Although there are many national acts who perform at JazzFest, we are partial the more regional and lessor known artists. That changes tomorrow, when The Rolling Stones play JazzFest for the 1st time. The Stones had been scheduled several times but had been canceled, 1st for Mick’s heart procedure and then for Covid.
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