Saturday
Saturday was arguably the strongest lineup, with a total of seven bands playing in Town Park. The weather was stunning with a slight breeze drifting up valley. I took the opportunity the head up to the Mountain Village and play some disc golf at the Double Cabins Disc Golf Course. It has eighteen holes, and plays up a massive ski run. Then I took the free gondola back down in time for the second group of the day the Telluride All Stars 20th Reunion Group. Several familiar faces dotted the lineup. duo saxophonists Josh Quinlin and Adam Larson have both played Telluride Jazz in years prior. The band performed arrangements from each of the members including “Crack Pot” and Larson’s “New Thread.” This was definitely and superior style of jazz with a focus on a more traditional approach.
Bela Fleck said, “She is pure music.” Claudia Villela totally embodied that statement on Saturday. Blowing whistles in between lyrics, her show was enchanting. Villela came to Telluride by way of Rio de Janeiro. She did not hesitate to bring the fire of her home with her. Her voice is unbelievable with a range not usually seen live.
Caleb Chapman’s Crescent Super Band is a 23 piece musical explosion. They got our attention by opening with a horn infused version of Beyonce’s “Crazy In Love.” Caleb is a musical director from Utah who teaches over 150 students including the Crescent Super Band. This particular performance had a 15 piece horn section and 23 performers overall. The band was an exhibition of what is possible in music education. Playing a wide range of traditional and pop music, the Crescent Super Band had one of the most pleasant sets of the entire weekend with stellar versions of “Sky Fall” and Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition.” Poncho Sanchez joined the group for “Besa Me Mama” and the set closing “Typo.”
With the free wine tasting in full swing the much-anticipated Snarky Puppy took the stage. Fresh off winning a Grammy for their song with Lalah Hathaway this band creates multi-layered instrumental jams that are dense with sound. The talent in this group is obvious. This band has nearly 40 members who have recorded and toured with the group. In Telluride we were treated to a stripped down version of the band with only seven players. Nigel Hall again appeared on the Town Park stage to lend his talents to the mix.
Finally it was time for the esteemed Poncho Sanchez & His Latin Jazz Band. Poncho is known as one of the top American percussionist of the modern era. His roots in Afro-Cuban and traditional Jazz gave him a powerful perspective on music. He initially performed with Cal Tjader until he died in 1982. Afterwards Poncho began leading his own band and went to produce 19 albums including his Grammy award winning live record Latin Soul. The show in Telluride was a nice sampling of Poncho’s work. Songs like the soulful “Cuidado” made a real impression on the audience. The dirt floor became a huge dance party as Poncho banged away on his congas.
The final show on Saturday at the Town Park Stage was Lettuce. This band has been blowing up the scene in recent years with their brand of funk-filled instrumental music and high-energy vocals. However this Brooklyn-based musical monolith has been around for over two decades. Led by drummer Adam Deitch, this band became a ‘super group’ long after they met at the Berklee School of Music in Boston for a summer music program. The projects they have embraced beyond Lettuce (Pretty Lights, Soulive, DMB) have pushed most of the members into the national spotlight. Their set was just short of 90 minutes giving fans ample opportunity to find their groove. This show would mark Nigel Hall’s 4th appearance of the festival. Eventually the percussionists from Snarky Puppy would join Lettuce for a sick drum jam.
“The mandatory dance party starts now.” – Nigel Hall
“Bustin Loose” was a Hall sung blowout that featured his soulful vocals juxtaposed against the snappy funk of the rest of the band.
Saturday’s ‘After Dark’ offerings were the best of the entire weekend. I headed uptown to start with Mike Dillon and company at the Elks Club. This venue is the furthest off the beaten path, but after a short walk we found ourselves outside. As we entered the sweet sounds of punk-fueled jazz floated over the relatively small crowd. Johnny Vidokovich had travel issues, so he was not present. Therefore the three-piece band consisted of Dillon on percussion, James Singleton on bass, and Brian Haas of Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey fame on keys. Their hard-hitting sound was a great way to start the late night festivities.
I parted ways with my friends and raced over to see the end of Jon Cleary and The Absolute Monster Gentlemen again at the historic Sheridan Opera House. His brand of New Orleans jazz is pure class. Again Nigel Hall and Derwin “Big D” Perkins were in attendance adding their soul and ripping guitar respectively. My joy was short lived as my arrival coincided with their encore.
I headed down to Fly Me To The Moon Saloon where Red Baraat had just finished, and Adam Deitch Duo featuring DJ Logic was just setting their stage. What followed may have been the musical highlight of the entire weekend. A line of musicians formed outside the humble stone doorway. The show began with Logic spinning his sweet brand of subtle scratch heavy fun and Deitch at the helm of the kit. Jesus from Lettuce appeared and the show was on. Members of Snarky Puppy drifted in during this melting pot of music. At one point Deitch left and the entire mood of the music shifted into a trance-ier mindset. Musically this was a chance for some of the best touring jazz musicians in the world to slap some strings and flow freely. As I wondered back to my tent in Town Park the smile was evident.
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