San Jose Jazz Summer time Fest returns in triumphant style to downtown

Mike Johnson was grooving on the vibe from the second he arrived on the San Jose Jazz Summer time Fest.

“You may really feel the love strolling in,” mentioned the Sacramento resident, who was having fun with the primary of three days — Aug. 12-14 — of stay music in and round Plaza de Cesar Chavez in downtown San Jose. “It’s simply enjoyable. It’s a celebration.”

1000’s of others gave the impression to be full in settlement with Johnson’s evaluation of opening evening of the competition. Music lovers crammed the plaza to bop and sway to tunes from Friday’s major stage artists — together with soul nice Lee Fields — in addition to get pleasure from performances by greater than a dozen different acts on different competition phases. Featured acts included R&B-soul band Durand Jones & the Indications and native blues nice Chris Cain.

The occasion is ready to proceed on Saturday with funk-soul star Charlie Wilson, vocalist-guitarist Raul Midón, Afro-Cuban outfit Sabor de Mi Cuba, versatile vocalist Kim Nalley, R&B singer Leela James and jazz music’s famed Brubeck Brothers among the many acts set to seem.

The 2022 competition is scheduled to conclude on Sunday with performances from Grammy-winning Oakland R&B vocalist Ledisi, jazz bassist extraordinaire Stanley Clarke, San Jose bluesman Aki Kumar, Orquesta Latin Warmth and plenty of different notable artists.

It’s the primary full-scale Summer time Fest since 2019. The competition was canceled in 2020, resulting from COVID, however held final yr with restricted capability.

Longtime attendees appeared completely thrilled to have Summer time Fest again — and working in a style approaching what they keep in mind from the pre-COVID years.

San Jose resident Rudy Rodriguez was hanging out on the Blues/Huge Simple Stage, having fun with one more extremely energetic displaying from one of many Bay Space’s greatest blues acts — the J.C. Smith Band. Attending Summer time Fest is annual custom for Rodriguez and his spouse — one which he says he appears ahead to all yr lengthy.

“We’ve been coming since Day One,” he says between blistering guitar solos from Smith. “We liked it when it was free, however we don’t thoughts paying.”

Rodriguez and his spouse have been listening to the music with numerous buddies, together with two that needed to journey sizable distances to get to the competition.

“One got here from Arizona and one got here from L.A. — simply to be right here,” he defined.

The get together was in full impact over on the Blues/Huge Simple Stage, which was internet hosting an all 408 lineup on opening evening — with each the JC Smith Band and Chris Cain hailing from San Jose. Smith was up first and, like typical, wowed the followers along with his very good vocals and guitar work in addition to his topnotch band that includes powerhouse saxophonist Noel Catura.

“(Smith) is a superb showman,” mentioned East Palo Alto resident Sherri Jones. “He actually includes the viewers.”

This stage ought to proceed to be one of many competition’s high spots all through the weekend, because of units from such acts as Aki Kumar, Memphissippi Sounds and the Marina Crouse Band.

For extra info, go to summerfest.sanjosejazz.org.