JVC JAZZ FESTIVAL, NEW YORK

This year's New York Jazz Festival started June 14th at Rose Theater, home of the new Jazz program, 'Jazz at Lincoln Center'. For the opening Clark Terry and Theodore Croker, the grandson of Doc Cheatham, played together to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Doc Cheatham's birth and the duo received a warm reception.

In addition, Chick Corea, beloved among fans of jazz, and the group Touchstone played together and got the audience especially excited with Chick Corea's tune 'Spain'. The performance by Kenny Barron, Randy Weston, Geri Allen and Uri Caine was also greeted warmly.

At Carnegie Hall, two legends kicked things off, one by the famous Wayne Shorter Quartet and the other by the Dave Holland Quintet. After a celebration for Les Paul's 90th birthday, a performance by Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, Jack DeJohnette followed. Also the Paul Motian Trio intrigued the audience with the tension in their set, and Béla Fleck from the Clarke-Fleck-Ponty Trio entertained the crowd with his unique brand of banjo playing.

At the Beacon Theatre, Steps Ahead performed plus an all-star line-up celebrated the legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius. During the Steps Ahead set, original member Michael Brecker was replaced by Bill Evans who skillfully sat in. For 'Portrait of Jaco', Jaco's twin sons Felix and Julius performed. Onstage for this effort were other Jaco disciples, including the fine bassist Will Lee, who acted as the emcee for the event. The audience, whose expectations of a memorable tribute were fully met, welcomed the large tribute ensemble. Especially bassist Felix, with thin body and goatee, reminded everyone of Jaco and brought the spirit of his father onto the stage.

At the Village Vanguard, Don Byron played for five continuous nights and drew a considerable audience. The weekend concerts especially, where guests Jason Moran, and Lonnie Plaxico appeared, were packed to capacity.

This year's free concert venue was moved to the Prospect Park Bandshell in Brooklyn. The Bad Plus, Charlie Hunter Trio and the James Carter Organ Trio all gave exciting performances and the venue was filled with an audience enjoying jazz under the summer night sky filled with stars.

On the last day, a concert called 'New York Now!' was held at the famous experimental venue the Knitting Factory and over 15 hot jazz groups performed. Such acts as Kurt Rosenwinkel, Jean-Michel Pilc, Robert Glasper and Edmar Castaneda, a Latin harp jazz player from Columbia, appeared. This exciting all-night gig finished the 2005 JVC Jazz Festival with some burning licks.