Anticipation

Jazz happens throughout the VPR listening area year round, but in early June, the Burlington area explodes with local, national and world talent. Discover Jazz has the unique benefit of multi Grammy winner Bob Blumenthal's interviews with many of the major players at the Festival. These take place at 5:30 in the cool and intimate FlynnSpace and are free. The interviews, which usually include audience questions, are relaxed and I always come away from a session hungry for the artist's music to come later that night. Highlights are bound to include pianist Luis Perdomo on Monday June 8 and Yusef Lateef on Wednesday June 10.

Bob Blumenthal's work with the Festival also includes a session focused on a classic jazz side, album, wax, now CD, which in the past focussed on Ornette Coleman and this time is Sarah Vaughan's "Swingin' Easy". I first bought "Singin' Easy" for $.19 in a TV store that was going out of business in Guilford, Connecticut, it was great in 1972, it holds up wonderfully today. The listening session always has a lively audience and, most unusual in this rushed world, a chance to listen to the entire CD. Not awash in strings, "Swingin' Easy" is a title that allows a clear picture of one of the best jazz singers at her peak.

My photo shows Bob Blumenthal interviewing drummer Matt Wilson from the 2005 Discover Jazz Festival.

George Thomas