David Sanborn

I arrived just as John Densmore was preparing to go on stage. Once a member of the ‘Doors’, this drummer now surrounds himself with tribal inspired musicians that make up the earthy rhythmic sound of Tribaljazz. John dedicated ‘Wrapped Around Your Finger’ to drummer Stewart Copeland of the ‘The Police’ saying, “He came to my rescue in a legal matter once…”

Eddie Gale was jamming a traditional style of jazz at the San Jose Rep. Gale didn’t perform to the audience; it was as if he allowed us to sit in on a private session.

I felt privileged to be up front when David Sanborn blew the proverbial roof off the main stage. As he looked out over the crowd, he mentioned how happy it made the old man to see so many [people] there for the music. (David turned 63 on July 30th) My personal thanks goes out to the San Jose Jazz Festival for securing David Sanborn as a headliner. I will treasure the experience.

The politics:

Say it ain’t so to the rumors that the Jazz Festival Board members wish to rename the festival tying it to Silicon Valley. Name recognition is crucial for San Jose’s economic growth.

Somehow the Festival was able to make up the monies that were so foolishly withheld by the city, but what about next year?

The once largest free jazz festival in the world that began to charge a $5 entry fee a few years ago, now requires $10. I would be willing to spend up to $20 if it guarantied more big name performers.

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