Summertime, and the listening should be easy

Music is what we want. Music that swings like the breeze, lifts burdens, gladdens steps, transports us past doubts we're in the right place at the right time. Music that assures us that--despite challenges regarding healthcare reform, global climate change, peace in the Middle East and strife in Albany--things will end up all right because they're pretty nice here and now.

Space limitations in City Arts' paper edition required the excision of the following paragraphs -- but my thoughts on this fest stand:

The two-day Caramoor jazz festival, in an open-air but covered theater amid gardens of an opulent home in Katonah, is available by car and Metro-North. The program each day starting at 3 p.m. is sophisticated, though piano heavy.

August 1 pianist Jean-Michel Pilc unveils original music inspired by Charlie Chaplin; pianist Cedar Walton plays "Giant Steps" and other works associated with (non-pianist) John Coltrane; young pianist Gerald Clayton leads a trio, followed by third-generation Cuban-born pianist Chuchito Valdés' Quartet, and finally diva Dianne Reeves sings in the company of guitarists Romero Lumbambo and Russell Malone. August 2 starts with 81-year-old blues-informed pianist Junior Mance, continues with gospel inflected pianist Cyrus Chestnut's trio, detours for Brazilian vocalist Luciana Souza with guitarist Lubambo (also Brazilian), and climaxes with commanding 83-year-old pianist Randy Weston's African Rhythms Trio. So many fingers, so many keys . . .

Choice options closer to home abound  -- I'm particularly impressed with the Cornelia Street Cafe's Festival of Festivals sched, which includes a cross-genre piano concentration curated by Jed Distler. The Cafe itself, in the West Village, is a pleasant little bistro serving tasty food and drinks; the downstairs music room is long, dark and usually cool, with upclose sound. Nice place to relax and hear live music.

Of course, there are other such places around town (and in other towns, too). And it can be cool to get hot. Just don't stress out about it . . .
 
howardmandel.com
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