LIVE FROM MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL

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LIVE FROM MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL

Jazz Enthusiasts, Seating Woes, Joshua Redman, Cassandra Wilson, Maceo Parker

Well, if you haven't been to the Monterey Jazz Festival, or have been but couldn't make it this year, sit back and enjoy because The A-List will bring you a insider view just as always!

Seems so much is going on! The A-List is always on the move. Barely finishing all our edits after the Democratic National Convention, we filled up the tank and made the 5 mile journed from L.A. to Monterey yesterday morning, the sweltering head subsiding as we climbed further up the coast.

To our surprise, Monterey seems to be a bit of a sleepy seaside town. Rather unassuming - and quiet.

Clearly all the festival goers had not yet made it in by the late afternoon, which surprised us given that the Fairgrounds opened officially that evening starting at 6pm.

We are told this year that the Festival is doing something different in order to cut down a bit on traffic: everyone is asked to part at some college parking spot (for the inconvenient and money-making daily price of $10) and then hop on a free shuttle to the Fairgrounds themselves. There seems to be confusion at hotels as to whether there are or aren't shuttles from key hotels, as well as any other options. This could be better organized for the future.

But what may be lacking in organization here, is more than made up for once we arrive at the Fairgrounds, which by the way is about a five minute ride on the shuttle bus (packed, I might say with a variety of jazz enthusiasts but certainly of the more mature demo. We'll see if it's the same thing once the first full day of the festival hits on Saturday, otherwise, this could be a bit tame. A quick note: though they may be past 40, this set seems rather well-informed and well cultured as we overhear conversations analyzing marital relationships after certain ages to work at the museum. Oh, and if you ever wondered where all those couples were of Black women with white men, both over 40-45, someone this is that target demo's haven. Interesting!)

Anyway, the event staff handling press couldn't be more welcoming nor accommodating. Folders are ready to roll, credentials rolled out. The only thing this wonderful 51 year old festival has not seemed to perfect is a filing room and press lounge - so we're on our own to use our laptop to report back. These won't be multiple updates because the Festival also has the annoying rule of no re-entry (I kid you not).

Well, we'll make the best of it.

The people at the gate, security, etc again provide that welcome that only small town living can cultivate. We throw our credentials around our neck and we are off to survey the grounds, synchronize for performances and more. The funny thing is, as sophisticated as one might envision a jazz festival to be; this one really has the vibe of a good ol' county fair that just happened to focus on jazz. The vibe is very laid back although one can find champagne bars that might not otherwise grace a county fair. The food is plentiful with all kinds of vendors who have been brought in to sell everything from French crepes to soul food. We opt for the latter even though the line is huge.

No matter - gives us chance to people watch and look at all the other stands along the sides where jewelry, scarves and more are being sold. Heck, Best Buy even has a temporary store here and it's no joke. We hear rumor there is an Internet cafe on site as well. We plan to scope that out tomorrow.

After finally getting dinner we settle down at one of the shared tables to eat and listen to a woman playing a digital piano courtesy of Yamaha. And Mom is no joke. It's blue hair all the way, but she can tickle those ivories with those jazz oldies and even through in Georgia.

Go!

Soon enough it's time to hit the main arena.

Now, this is all open air mind you and between the sea air and the fact that it begins to drizzle, it is definitely not a good look for the hair. But at least we have dressed in layers so we are warm (told you, this wasn't LA).

The unfortunate thing here is that even though pricing can easily run you into $300 for the festival, the hard folding chairs that they have tied together for seating in this big arena look like someone just brought them out for the barn. Not even any shine to them anymore. Could they be the original ones from year 1 of the Festival. We'd like to imagine they are antiques and be honored to partake in history, but they are just so uncomfortable you can't think of anything else. (now we know why those other more seasoned festival goers have those stadium pillows. Ah -ha) Note to festival, with that Verizon money next year, buy some at least 100 new chairs and replenish over the next two years!

Yikes!!!

Fortunately soon Joshua Redman and his trio take the stage and the discomfort is all but a memory.

This young brother is not only talented but has such charm and interaction with the audience that it's easy to see why he is a festival favorite. The crowd is terribly engaged in his technique, and he has the wonderful ability to take seemingly esoteric or older pieces and reinvent them via his own spirit for 2008. Bravo Joshua.

Once he leaves the stage, we begin chatting with a woman nearby who is a Cassandra Wilson mega-fan. Knows all about her, and it's great prep for when she and her wonderful band take stage. To say that she is a jazz singer, somehow cheapens it a bit as her voice is just so sultry and stage presence so captivating, she really tends to transcend a description which may seem a bit trite. And the band is nothing but amazing some how blending piano, electric guitar, bongos and more to create a delicious infusion of sound that just takes you up, up and away!

Alas though, after three cuts the rain is picking up and we're out.

Now, the great thing about this festival is that it is not too large so that you don't get tired walking.

We high tail it to the other end inside these buildings called "nightclubs" but which are simply easy open seating (unliked the assigned in the main arena) where people just come and go freely. Still the same hard chairs but at least with a bit of sheen. We check out a quartet that is a bit too "experimental" for us but at least gives us time to admire the artwork, design and signage around the festival which is just wonderful. Hats off to the graphic design team.

Whispers pick up that it's time to move to the next "nightclub" to peep Redman who has now made it over to this stage to play yet again. It's almost midnight but these kidz are not even thinking about sleeping as they applaud our man who is playing with full command flipping crazy scale variations and more. Really, just amazing.

Dude gets a standing ovation!

Ah, almost forgot: before the show begins a man starts chatting who it turns out is an attorney from LA and is representing a couple of musicians playing this week. Nice person. Firm also handles LaToya Jackson. He comments on Janet's show at The Staples Center last week and re-confirms her place as an amazing entertainer.

Okay, it's been a long week so visions of that shuttle are dancing in our head!

We make our way into the bus, then into the car, then into the hotel for lights out!!!! What a first day.

Day 2
The great thing about these jazz folks is that nothing jumps off until 1pm today leaving us plenty of time for a fabulous pancake brunch. We start to see the traffic build as 40,000 jazz fans are the norm at the festival!

We definitely plan to hit a panel where the fabulous Nancy Wilson will participate - and, rumor has it - Clint Eastwood since he is just up the road at Carmel.

We'll let you know.

Also, first time peeping legend Maceo Parker at one of the other stages just after.

So much to see, so little time to right.

Check back in a bit.

It's on and on, until the break of dawn. These kidz do not play with performance going straight through 'till midnight again.

Stay tuned/come back for o-the-scene photos!