San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2024

San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2024
San Jose, CA
August 9 through August 11, 2024

San Jose Jazz's Summer Fest 2024 was a high-octane weekend of top-flight musicians and artists covering the full spectrum of melodic sounds, in a friendly and accessible location in downtown San Jose. SJJSF 2024 featured multiple outdoor and indoor venues within steps of each other. Compared to previous years, even the relatively cool weather contributed to the overall relaxed and engaging ambience of the long running summer series.

The 35th chapter of SJJSF's roster bristled with varied artists including: Herbie Hancock, John Santos Sextet, Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton , Tony Lindsay, The Family Stone, Delfeayo Marsalis & The Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Incognito, Karl Peraazzo & Mike Spiro, Tia Carroll Band, Spanish Harlem Orchestra,Pascal Bokar & AfroBlueGrazz Band, Andre Thierry Accordion Soul, Cabanijazz Project,Terrence Brewer & Mason Razavi, The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol & Charles Haynes, David Benoit Quartet, the Ju Ju Exchange, Agua Pura, and the Monterey Jazz Festival Regional All Star Big Band and so much more.

Friday, August 9

Early Friday evening kicked off with the official SJJSF festival reception in the courtyard of the conveniently located Montgomery Theater stage near the main entrance. Some of the generous sponsors included the Jay Paul Company, Applied Materials and PG&E. Walked over to the JPC Main Stage and heard the closing songs of the New Breed Brass Band's NOLA spicy hot set.

San Jose's restored downtown California Theater hosted a genuine treat with Terrence Brewer & Mason Raavi-The Magic of Monk. The 1927 renovated movie house with its Spanish influenced architectural style and warm lighting provided a unique setting for hearing some of the iconic pianist Thelonious Monk's well known compositions and some rare ones. Over at the Applied Materials Foundation Big Easy Stage, popular SF Bay Area blues/soul vocalist Tia Carroll (Ray Charles, B.B. King) and her band had blues fans energized this evening. Returning to the main stage, the Family Stone performed the classic soul funk of Sly Stone hits before a full house. Many stayed at the crowded main stage waiting for the next artists.

The British based acid jazz group Incognito displayed their soothing blend of pop, jazz and soul to an enthralled open-air audience. Annette, an Incognito admirer from Maryland, was pleased. "I loved Incognito and they are always amazing. I usually see them on the East Coast at the jazz festival. But it was just very delightful to see them tonight and that was the highlight of tonight. So tomorrow, we're looking forward to Herbie Hancock. "First timer Maria was also enjoying the festival. "This is my first time at the San Jose Jazz Fest and I am overwhelmed in a good way! Just beautiful, beautiful people. Everybody is here and enjoying good music in San Jose. You should come whenever you have a moment..."

Saturday, August 10

Saturday's imposing slate of performances started with the San Jose Jazz High School All- Stars. The talented SJJ teenagers hit all the right notes on this sunny afternoon. The Dynamic Faye Carol performed her satisfying brand of soulful blues at the inviting California Music Lounge venue inside the California Theater. Ensconced in the large comfortable confines of the Montgomery Theater stage, seven-time Grammy nominated John Santos (Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie, John Handy) continued to demonstrate why he is one of the premier Afro Cuban percussionists performing today. San Francisco native Santos along with old friend and extra special guest Orestes Vilató, proceeded to enliven the house with songs "Earth Dance," "Pitmatic," "I Fall in Love Too Easily," "Mucho Humo," "Lago Xochimilco," and other solid tracks.

International singer and five-time Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo (Branford Marsalis, Bono, Ziggy Marley) brought the main stage attendees to a raucous state of fervor during her show. Making a relatively early stand on the main stage, the inimitable Herbie Hancock, (Miles Davis, Donald Byrd ) drew massive attendance for his 6 pm time. Usually the closer, this slot may have been due to his next day gig headlining at San Francisco Stern Grove in the afternoon. The PG&E Latin Tropical Stage was well populated by flowing salsa dancers moving to the polyrhythms of the San Francisco based Cabanijazz Project, led by Grammy winning percussionist Javier Cabanillas. Cory Henry (Snarky Puppy) & The Funk Apostles thrilled with his potpourri of gospel, jazz and serious funk. On the main stage. The fantastic Grammy winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra closed out the Latin Tropical stage, but the revelry continued elsewhere into the relatively cool night.

Attendees were enjoying themselves during the weekend. Connie shared her concert experience. "This is my fourth time attending this year. I volunteered at the VIP bowl ...and so I met some wonderful people. I am really enjoying this. I'm loving it. Karen added her view. "I have enjoyed the San Jose Jazz Fest. I've been a volunteer since 2019 and it's just been awesome. I actually have enjoyed the vender booths as well as every artist. It has just been tremendous meeting a lot of people from all over the world, and it's such a melting pot here in San Jose. I'm originally from Chicago as well, and my sister has joined me here. I've been here since 2019 and is just been a blast. See you next year."

Sunday, August 11

Sunday jumped off with a surprisingly large early crowd at the Big Easy Stage for Andre Thierry Accordion Soul. The ATAS brought a tasty helping of NOLA musical jambalaya to SJJSF 2024. Noted French born educator and band leader/guitarist Dr. Pascal Bokar (Dizzy Gillespie, Donald Byrd,) brought his ten-piece AfroBlueGrazz Band to the Montgomery indoor venue. The band's spectacular sound was bursting with world music rhythms and vocals that enticed the jubilant listeners. Bokar incorporated the African instruments ngoni and balaphon, the predecessors of the banjo and xylophone, to create his fascinating Afrobeat music. The bouncy "I Can Tell" was clearly a house favorite. Returned to the main stage for the Grammy winning vocalist Miss Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton (The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Luther Vandross). The decorated Fischer was one of the featured artists in the 2013 Academy Award winning documentary Twenty Feet from Stardom. With an incomparable voice that can range from a heavenly sigh to a deep growl, Fischer was captivating with her unique arrangements of Stones, Vandross and Led Zeppelin tunes. Vocalist and bandleader Jane Monheit's (John Piizzareli) sultry delivery of standards filled the Montgomery spot with smiles. Music fan Tracy commented on her SJJSF experience. "The jazz fest never disappoints! The diversity of music and stages is astounding. This year I splurged and got a priority pass, so I experience some of the small stages for the first time. I fell in love with the Break Room, seeing Nico Segal, and was especially impressed with how young the crowd was. Jazz is alive! And SJ JAZZ makes it so accessible."

Delfeayo Marsalis & The Uptown Jazz Orchestra made the main stage feel like NOLA'S Bourbon Street. This robust ensemble had folks dancing in the aisles. On this pleasant Sunday evening, eleven-time Grammy winning vocalist Tony Lindsay (Santana, Aretha Franklin, The Soul Soldiers) capped off another musical feast on the main stage. Lindsay performed brilliantly before a full capacity venue to close out the weekend with Maze. Larry Batiste, national music director and producer enjoyed his time at SJJSF 2024. "I loved the festival. I could only make it on Sunday, but I thought it was very organized and the talent and sound were great!" This year's 2024 version of the long running San Jose Jazz Summer Fest provided another ebullient weekend of globe spanning music genres, culture food, crafts and rich memories. Special thanks to the SJJ organizers, staff, stage crews and volunteers.

Comments