Monterey Jazz Festival

This was our 13th year at the MJF and it continues to amaze. The music is great, the food booths have lots of tasty stuff, and the people watching is the best of all. As if this was not enough, we got to spend time in Carmel with our wonderful friends Jon and Patty.


Buddy Guy, the blues guitar legend, likes to walk out in the crowd. I like this photo, both for him and the crowd's reaction. He sang Drowning on Dry Land, a song with terrific lyrics that cracked up the audience:

You know my mother told me the story
About that li'l dog that couldn't see too well
He was crossing a railroad track one day
When the train cut off a part of his tail
He turned around but never looked up
Just to peep over the rail
And she said he lost his whole head
Trying to find a little piece of tail

Hey, don't lose your head!

Some other great lines came from Marian McPartland who at 84 is slow finding her words but as quick as ever with her sense of humor. As her first piece ended, she dedicated it to the arthritis foundation. She played duets with other pianists, much like she does on her Piano Jazz radio show. Jason Moran wanted to play Take the A Train and she quipped "Lawrence Welk used to call that take a train." She couldn't remember Bill Charlap's last name so she said "Get out here, Bill. Tell me your last name and put me out of my misery". He came out and introduced himself as Bill Clinton. So it went. So rather than feeling sad to see her showing her age, we were having a whole lot of fun.

Bill Charlap (see May 23) played a great set Saturday night. I am SO impressed with him, I consider him one of the best jazz pianists now performing.

Friday night there were a couple of "new" bands and there were actually people in their 20's in the audience! Bad Plus was beyond out there. The pianist comes from a classical background, the drum and bass come from rock, and together they play jazz. Huh? It took a little listening, but I like them!

The MJF supports jazz education. On Sunday afternoon, competition winning bands are featured. Below is a photo I found of the quartet we saw that featured the Le Boeuf brothers from Santa Cruz. They have astonishing technique, great sophistication, and are a pleasure to hear. I was so impressed with their communication, a big deal in jazz and sometimes missing with the young hot shots. I hope they continue to perform and love the music for many, many years.



Their web site is www.deuceswildjazz.com