The Happiness in Getting Jazzy

Paloma has been working the Rochester International Jazz Festival for many nights now. Of course, I finally gave in and decided to have a meander! A friend of mine joined me for a solid five hours of people watching.

My memory chip? Who knows, otherwise this post would be full of photos. Seeing people happy, doesn't it make YOU happy? The world is not such a downer, at least not in the area of the Rochester Jazz Festival! The most beautiful women I have ever seen danced their way through massive crowds outside of Java's. It seemed like everyone was dancing, swaying, speaking to the beat!

There was an older gentleman shooting with a -gasp- film camera! I was so tempted to ask for a quick cellphone picture of it. Unfortunately, the light would not have ever entertained the idea. Another man passed us, saying "Smile, smile! Pretty ladies!" It was all in good temperament, and just a genuine gesture.

Two girls in the city on a busy night? It pleases me that so many groups can come together for one festival with no conflicts. I think the jazz just penetrates the body!  ~ Beth

"How He Holds Her"

And that was the story at the Rochester Club.  When the scheduled saxophone player cancelled last minute, in stepped Rochester native Mike Cottone on the trumpet.  He was a little nervous (wouldn't you be?), but the jazz in his heart just pulled him forward on the stage.  First song, good.  Second song, the knees started to bend deeper as he blew higher and longer.  Third song, his whole body started to express the music he was playing, and, at that point, his sound changed too.

Why don't we dance more often?  Why don't we surrender to a beat that we can feel and just enjoy ourselves, even if it's a few minutes of dancing in the kitchen while making scrambled eggs and toast? ~ Paloma