all that jazz...

The Greater City of Sudbury held it's first Jazz Festival last Friday and Saturday on the grounds of Science North . That merits a big "C-fantastique" on my part! I remember , in my teen years, my father introducing me to the Jazz gendre. When I heard the great Stan Getz play "the girl from Ipenema" or Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Quiet Nights" , I knew right then and there , that I was falling hard for all that jazz . I would of loved a Jazz Festival in the region way back when I was in my twenties, a time when I was discovering jazz music, buying multiple jazz Cd's , talking about established jazz musiciens and up and coming jazz acts during my radio broadcasting on-air shifts. I am certain that for the past decade, the Idea of having a jazz festival in Sudbury came up in numerous conversations while people were drinking some great wine while listening to jazz music in the background. Isn't jazz the most perfect dinner music ever ? There is a feeling of well being on my part that happens when the first jazz piano notes enter my ears, a connection that happens when the jazz singer is telling me in his heart wrenching voice that "everyday , he gets the blues" .. and I find myself wanting to shout out.."Hey ?Mister Finley.. I get them too " ! Jazz gives you the chance to travel , to be in your zone for a while and forget everything else . Bravo Sudbury ! You did it right . The first edition of the Jazz Fest was fantastique ! Local jazz artists got the chance to share the stage and the spotlight with established jazz musicians from across Canada and North-America. Here's hoping every artist that set foot on stage during the festival , will remember the wonderful venue that is Science North, with Ramsey Lake on one side and a heart warming , receptive crowd in front . I'm loving the fact that I was part of it , and will be for sure returning again same time next year ! Long live the Jazz Festival , one of my life pleasures .