This year, it looks like I’ll only make it to one day of the Jazz Festival, so I tried to make it a good one.

I tried to see David Sanborn on the main stage, but I wasn’t able to find a seat close enough to get good sound. The main stage is for fans more devoted than I am. I think you’d have to stake your claim before 10:00 AM to get a good seat.

Before that though, I saw three great acts on the side stages. First I saw Samba Da at the Latin Stage (see photo). They were upbeat, catchy, and got the crowd moving. Then I went over to the Blues Stage to hear the Chicago Blues Revue: definitely a great down-home blues group. Then back to the Latin Stage for John Santos Quintet; a bit slower and mellower than the rest of the bands I saw, but playing well. The sound and sightlines were great at these side stages.