A Jazz Festival for the Ages - The Big Easy Meets The Big Apple

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SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - A JAZZ FESTIVAL FOR THE AGES - THE BIG EASY MEETS THE BIG APPLE

There were so many choices of things to do over the Labor Day weekend, but I chose to attend A Jazz Festival for the Ages - The Big Easy Meets The Big Apple; a jazz extravaganza held in Wantagh on Long Island. This was an inaugural event that hopes to become an annual jazz fest that ran from Saturday through Monday. The line-up included some of the best jazz musicians from New Orleans to New York City, and beyond.

Saxophonist, Robert Torme, is the brainchild behind the event, and it didn't take him long to round up some of the best jazz cats around. Opening the festival on Saturday, the New Orleans native took the stage with Jazzmatazz. With a career that began at age 11, Torme has traversed stages across North America showcasing the sweet sounds of his hometown with his captivating musicianship. Torme always wanted to put on a jazz festival. "This festival came from a wish! A wish that the two most influential cities in my life could somehow meet: New Orleans and New York. This festival brings together some of the absolute best musicians in one location, putting it all out there. This is an exciting time," says Torme.

There were two stages - one outside and one inside. I brought my own chair and found a shady spot to nestle into outdoors in the shade. I was in my element. Being a jazz singer, these are my people. Since I moved back to Long Island from New York City, I haven't seen this many incredible jazz artists in one place. I was in my glory. I went by myself, which gave me the opportunity to mingle with some of the musicians in between sets, jostling back and forth between stages. We talked about all that jazz.

One band that captured my attention was Jazgazm. The band in comprised of drummer and percussionist, Daniel Gonzalez, with Norbert Stachel on woodwinds and bass clarinet, Jesse Green on piano, and violinist extraordinaire, Mark Woodyatt. Together, this was a jazgazm. Performing synchronized rhythms with extraordinary musicianship, these four musicians took you on a jazz fusion journey. There were various musical influences interwoven between the eclectic rhythms while each artist exemplified what it means to hone your craft. Each member of the group has profound jazz chops, and the cacophony of sound was exhilarating. At times, I found myself in awe as to how they all followed each other, but if you know anything about jazz, a lot of it is improvisation, and these guys are masters at it. That's what makes Jazgazm so great. They are a force to reckon with, and their sound is unique and exciting. Mark Woodyatt's virtuosity on the violin is spellbinding. The electrified tones soar as he uses his wand like a dancer and plucks the strings like a guitar. He is immersed in his instrument as the two become one. Pianist, Jess Green, played beautifully in between the notes as his keys glided along as Norbert Stachel's woodwinds took you into the stratosphere. Daniel Gonzalez held it all together with his supreme talent on drums and percussion as he rumbled in syncopation. This is a jazgazm. This is jazz.

Look out for next Labor Day weekend when this festival returns to Long Island as its cultural scene continues to expand into this realm. Jazz is an American art form. It's not just for city dwellers, it's for suburbanites, too. That's me, and that's you. And that's jazz.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, a jazz festival can be just what the doctor ordered.

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SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - A JAZZ FESTIVAL FOR THE AGES - THE BIG EASY MEETS THE BIG APPLE

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SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"You not only have to know your own instrument, you must know the others and how to back them up at all times. That's jazz."

-Oscar Peterson

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SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Have you experienced a jazz event that inspired you? Tell me how?

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SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - ROBERT TORME PERFORMS IN NEW ORLEANS

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My brand, Skylark Live, consists of a weekly newsletter, Skylark Live Town News, a monthly vlog, 60 and Beyond with Skylark, and monthly in-person chats called The Skylark Sessions. They are all designed to inspire and motivate women to thrive in older age through knowledge and self-awareness at 60 and beyond. Andiamo! Let's go!

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