Chicago Jazz Festival

What better welcome could the city of Chicago give me, than a huge, open air jazz festival with free entrance, starring top musicians of the genre? I mean, a presidential welcoming committee and plenty of purrrty strippers in those little devil costumes, as well as unlimited supply of Guinness would surely be nice, but a guy just can't have everything, right? :-P

The main stage was quite large, with nice set of speakers, and plenty of lights and flowers, set up under the impressive skyline of the city. Although the festival took three days, the schedule was really tight, and none of the performers got to play for longer than an hour, which was, in some cases, immense pity. The opening concert by Herbie Hancock must have also been fabulous, but it wasn't free, and I didn't feel like spending that much money.
Most of the musicians I haven't heard before, but they were all very good. Admittedly, some of the pieces were a little too... artistic for my taste, but other than that, I was satisfied. For those of you who ask whether it was a more supreme világos than Therion Goes Classical in Miskolc, the answer is no. But it was awesome nonetheless, you can't justly compare these events, they were completely different.

Most of the people present were of more ancient making, and the place was crowded, but I didn't mind. Being the lucky bastard as I am, I always had a fine place in the first row from the stage, which wasn't reserved for the sponsors, so the stage was close enough to reach. I found it difficult to understand why there were people translating sing lyrics to the sign language at the stage. No offense meant, but deaf people just can't enjoy a jazz concert. No more than blind people can enjoy a skydeck view, or people on a wheelchair hike through the mountains. Maybe cruel, but what's the point pretending otherwise?
Most performances were using a grand piano, an acoustic bass, drums, and various brass instruments. I always used to shun brass in favour of string instruments, but now I feel they are underrated. Even the most common trumpet is an amazing instrument when blown into by someone like Jeremy Pelt.
I will only mention my personal highlights of the festival. For Saturday, that would definitely be the performance of Ernestine Henderson and Frank Wess. Oh my, the lady can sing. Also, her songs are very colourful, with lyrics worth trying to understand, and very sophisticated melody. At her side, Frank Wess, a venerable jazz legend, and the best saxophonist I've ever heard. Those two were having such a great time on the stage, I felt my mood improve just by looking at their faces. :-)
The highlight of Sunday night were most definitely the Mingus Big Band. A bunch of very talented musicians playing ingenious compositions by Charles Mingus. Their conductor was making a hell of a show, as he turned up dressed in traditional African robes, and his performance was vaguely similar to the rituals of storm summoning. :-) You should definitely go and see those guys if you get the chance.
Also, it was the first time that I've heard the sousaphone live. It's a kind of tuba, a really huge brass instrument, which substitutes for string bass quite nicely. It has a deep, deep, sound that is rather pleasant, which was a bit of a surprise for me.
Another thing worth noting is, that some bands have been very strongly agitating against the Bush administration, which was always answered by the mass of people cheering. I think that republicans have had it in Illinois. A shining example of this is the Charlie Haden Liberation Music Orchestra, who are also definitely worth listening to.
At last, I would like to express disappointment at all the people I've asked to come along. In the end, only one guy went to enjoy the show with me. Most of them were just ignorant of this event, which I cannot quite understand. :-( It was even held right in their backyard! Well, a proverbial saying concerning pearls and animals of the suidae family comes to mind. Also, I wouldn't hesitate to refer to them as criminals and meganoobs. ;-)
Oh well, I have to say that am most grateful for this event, and I had a fantastic experience enjoying some very fine live music after quite some time.