Sharon Jones had the main stage crowd dancing.

The 2009 AT&T San Jose Jazz Festival opened last night with some big soul music, blues, and straight-up jazz. I caught bits and pieces of four or five acts, and they all would have been worth seeing all the way through. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings was the headline on the main stage, and they had the house rocking. She had audience members dancing on stage and in the aisles after she demonstrated “The Groove”, “The Mashed Potato”, and more dances from the original days of soul and funk.

Meanwhile Kaye Bohler and her band were heating up the Hedley Club at the Hotel De Anza with sexy blues. And “sexy” was the key to Bohler’s act, as she worked the crowd, threatening to steal the men away from their wives, and singing songs that could teach the wives to keep their husbands.

At the 48 Hour Jazz Stage, where local bands are highlighted, I caught The Poblano Project playing “jazz with spice”. They were joined by set drummer Katie Hawn, and also did three numbers with a group of “young habaneros”, high-school aged up-and-coming musicians. I also caught a short piece of the CEO Jazz Jam, which was maybe more interesting for people-watching than for musical consistency. I think I recognized at least one of the CEO’s on stage (a “big name” in the electronics design industry) and saw San Jose city councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio in the audience. The bar at the 48 Hour stage, offering $4 beer, is one of the best-kept secrets of the festival.

The Festival continues today with Allen Toussaint headlining the main stage, local favorites SambaDa at 4 on the Latin Stage, Chris Cain closing out the Blues Stage, and of course dozens more bands. Tickets are $15 for one day or $20 for two days.