HyPa Jazz Fest

The day began with the chill of dripping rain and threatening thundershowers. So what craziness propelled hundreds to the South Side, prepared to sit outside in the unpredictable elements all day? The Hyde Park Jazz Festival, of course. And as the day turned from grey to stunning, the music was the star.

I’ve not attended a main stage set on the Plaisance before, so I can’t compare the previous set up to this year, but the new configuration seemed to work well and the space allotted seemed to fit the crowd. The venue was not without its problems and hiccups (most notably the interminable sound set up which lasted well into a few of the sets) but technical issues fell to the background as the individual acts took center stage.

First up was Bethany Pickens who dealt admirably with the initial sound problems and delays. Nothing ever deters Bethany from giving her best and Charles Heath on drums and Junius Paul on bass were plainly ready to start the 5th Annual Fest with a bang. Playing all original tunes, the group took no time to hit their stride and by the time they had finished, the crowd had begun to build and the clouds and drizzle had given way to mixed skies and a hope that we might miss the dreaded rain.

We spent the time between sets walking the midway and were amazed at how many more vendors were in attendance this year. The WBEZ booth was back again; gotta say those people were very brave to take on the abuse heaped on them (by at least me) at both the Chicago Jazz Fest and the Hyde Park affair. Rather than belabor my protest I walked over to the WDCB table where I thanked them for their continued commitment to the music we all love.

Next up was Chevere. Warmed by the wine in hand and by a bright sun, who’d decided to make a welcome appearance, we were back in our seats in time to hear Alejo Proveda exclaim to the rest of the group “I say we just start and let them work out the sound while we are playing!” While it is true that Chevere could light a small city with their power, cooler heads prevailed. This band obviously enjoys playing together and the audience loves being part of the experience. Just a few weeks from their killer set on the Pritzker Stage at Millenium Park, they were tight as ever. Soon the first dancer of the day began to bust her moves – a little girl whose body could not stay still as she moved from polite foot movements to literally diving and rolling as she tried to match the amazing percussionists. Ruben Alvarez on timbales and Joe Rendon on congas along with Alejo created their magic while laughing and trying to surprise and one-up each other. Howard Levy only played two tunes on the harmonica which wasn’t enough for me, but then again, I wonder how much of Howard’s harp it would take for me to say uncle? Chicago Hambone (Chris Cameron) hammed it up on the organ just the way we like it. Ernie Denov on guitar, Steve Eisen on sax and flute and the wonderful Eric Hochberg on bass and vocal just threw the joy around like it was free! And, of course, it was.

It was then off to the Robie House, and a few minutes of Bossa Tres enjoyed with a large crowd on the street, as that venue is as small as it is popular. The Festival’s producers have helped matters by placing speakers in strategic areas to allow passers-by to “get a taste”. Moving right along, we headed for the Oriental Institute to see Tomeka Reid. We arrived early and were able to sneak in to sample the Sarah Marie Young Quartet while we waited. This young woman has received rave reviews from Neil Tesser, and I wanted to see what the fuss was about. I came out a believer of both her and her pianist/composer Tom Vaitsas. There had been some weirdness with the lights in the house and as we entered, the place was very dark. As someone who has been onstage alot, I can tell you this is a scary situation – one that threatens a performer with total loss of control. Sarah Marie with her dark hair and black dress was almost invisible, but she displayed aplomb beyond her years, joking about the situation and offering really original vocals. I loved watching her move as well, her youthful energy seemed to propel her naturally as she sang. The highlight for me was three poems by Langston Hughes set to gorgeous music by Vaitsas and delivered by Young with just the right amount of sincerity. Hughes’ words are so powerful they just need someone to understand them in order to bring them to life, and Sarah Marie understood them just right. Overdone they would have seemed ponderous, but she danced on top of the poetry and trusted the audience to discover its intrinsic meaning and beauty. There is a young woman to watch for real. Thanks, Neil!

Sadly, we had stayed too long and there was no room at the very small Tomeka Reid inn next door by the time we were ready. My listening companion had another idea. He suggested we check out whatever was happening at the Hyde Park Union Church, one of our favorite venues, so that is where we went.

Justefan Band may have played the set of the day. I see an awful lot of live jazz and I have to say that most of the music that I hear is great. But what really takes everything to another level for me is when the musicians are clearly emotionally connected to what they are playing, not just running thru the changes. Chevere always delivers in that way and Sarah Marie Young with her obvious love of the material and enjoyment of performing it had kept that theme going. Justefan knocked it out of the park.

Whether it was the beautiful solo vibraphone performance of “Misty”, dedicated to the memory of “the first teacher who taught me to improvise” by Justin Thomas, or trumpeter Marquis Hill’s marvelous playing of Coletrane’s “Naima” over the beloved bass line of “A Love Supreme” set down by Nathan Brown’s sure hand, or a trippingly fast “Spiderman Theme” (otherwise known as Coltrane’s “Mr. PC”) which had everyone on stage laughing as they made it safely to the finish line – the feeling in that sacred space was one of gratitude from musicians and audience alike. Drummer Lawrence Haskin rounded out that terrific quartet.

Back to the Plaisance for some ribs, more wine, and a set by Paul Wertico’s Mid-East Mid-West Alliance. John Molder’s guitar is always stupefying to me; no idea at all how that furious sound comes out of such a mild, even graceful guy, but it does. You gotta love a set where Wertico announces that the sheet he is about to cover his drum set with “has been checked for bed bugs” and then proceeds to play the drums under the sheet. I can’t say it was my favorite set, but that is the great thing about the Jazz Fest. Lots of chances to hear music you would otherwise never search out and see how you feel about it.

Finally, for me, the biggest surprise of the day. Terisa Griffen. This self-named Soulzaphrenic was not someone I was aware of but when Orbert Davis says listen – I listen. What a voice! By this time the weather was not prime for any vocalist, it was cold and slightly damp and the wind was blowing pianist Ryan Cohen’s music all over the stage. Regardless, this woman took the stage and gave due notice to all contenders that a serious jazz singer had arrived. Power, subtlety, swing and fearlessness – onstage with Ari Brown (smiling like mad at her crazy good vocals as he jumped in on a tune), Ernie Adams and Orbert himself – Chicago jazz royalty all - she was the picture of a woman finding herself in the exact right spot, and loving it. And the crowd loved her back.

Too old and tired for the late night jam – we headed home. I’ll let you know when the smile fades from my face, ok?

60th Anniversary - A Toast

Something special happened today.  But in a way, it happens all the time.

We are here to mark the day 60 years ago that Margaret Brenner and Robert Rogers promised to love and cherish each other for the rest of their lives.

Two of us in the room today were lucky enough to witness that first promise. But all of us are lucky because we got to watch through the years as they made that promise real, over and over again.  In the good times, in the bad times – which make you dizzy as they flip flop back and forth with astonishing speed – they always chose to make the promise again.

All of us have heard the questions about growing up in a family with so many children. How many bottles of milk, loaves of bread, loads of laundry, bedrooms and bathrooms did it take? 

What people didn’t ask, what they couldn’t ask was – how much love did it take?  How many sleepless nights, hearts full of pride, minds full of worry, and prayers to the almighty does it take to raise a family like yours?

To say that they couldn’t have known what they were getting into back in 1951 is to put it mildly.  But very quickly after they were married, they moved away from family and friends and had to figure out what they were made of.  And they did. They figured out that when they worked together as a team, when they put their promise into action, they were capable of doing amazing things; for their community, for their church and for their family.  And they kept making that choice again and again – in the privacy of their own hearts. 

Today we got to watch as they made their promise again, and it was a very special moment to share with them.    

And so I am thrilled to ask you to raise your glasses with me:

Mom and Dad, you are surrounded in love and admiration by your brothers and sisters, your children, your grandchildren and your great grandchildren.  We honor you for your promise to each other, for your fidelity to that promise, and for all of your remarkable achievements.  We congratulate you as you celebrate your 60^th Wedding Anniversary.