RIJF

Rochester International Jazz Festival!

Our ITD sold Kari and I some club passes to the Jazz Fest for last night. We all went- our ITD, her main squeeze, me, kari, my supervising therapist and his wife. Of course our ITD also knows everyone so we ended up meeting quite a few people.

This festival is really amazing. We went last night specifically to see Stanley Jordan. He's a guitarist who plays by hammering on the fret board (instead of picking or strumming). What he can do with just two hands is amazing. When I closed my eyes during his show last night I could hear at least four layers--- rhythm, bass, chords and melody--- all happening at the same time. He also did a lot of improv on themes from the classical repertoire. Our ITD came over to our side of the table and said "the ultimate classical improv!" True. He did a slow movement from a Mozart Sonata, he did an improv on themes from a Bartok symphony. In one piece he was just jamming out and all of a sudden he was playing Bach prelude from the well tempered clavier (can't remember which one).... then he went right into Stairway to Heaven. The man is amazing.

Our ITD knows him from many years ago. He's an advocate for music therapy and actually got our ITD's phone number (digits oh yea!) to talk about his work. She turned around and said, "Stanley Jordan wants supervision. You girls get it for free everyday. Just remember that."

Anyhow, we had an awesome time. It was nice to also spend time with our supervisors outside of work. To see them cut loose and relax was a blast. I had an amazing time!! We didn't get back until after 11- we stayed to see a 10 o'clock show. There are like 8 stages with acts going on every 90 minutes or so... most performers do two sets (like a 6 and 10). We had club passes so we can go into any show at any time. For anyone else, you have to pay $20 per show which is fine if you're seeing one show, but if you spend the evening there and catch 2 or 3 shows, the club pass is completely worth it.

Kari and I may go back later this week and check out some more live music. Its a fun festival- literally a marathon overload- 9 days long. We had a wonderful time.