12 days of jazz in Ottawa began last night

I could try to be cool about all of this. I could pretend it’s no big deal to be here at the Ottawa Jazz Festival with a press pass around my neck. But the truth is that I’m a kid on Christmas morning right about now. You want objectivity? You came to the wrong place. Jazz is like oxygen to me, and tonight the breathing is easy.

In the next 12 days the festival will feature little-known jazz acts playing in intimate settings. Folks will also hear jazz heavyweights like David Sanborn, Wayne Shorter, Chucho Valdez and Wynton Marsalis. And, it’s true, there will be some non-jazz headliners that bring people through the door (go ahead, twist my arm and make me listen to Willie Nelson, Boz Scaggs or The Doobie Brothers in this setting…tough life.)

One thing I really like about this festival is that it exposes me to so many players that I’ve never heard of.  How exciting to know that there is so much more to know about this fabulous art form. As I write this the Hutchinson Andrew Trio from Alberta is tearing up the main stage here in Confederation Park. Never heard of them? Me either. But as soon as I’m done writing this I’m running over to the merch tent to buy their CD.

And they’re just one of 119 acts performing over 12 days. The festival runs until July 1st.  I hope you get a chance to come over and hear some great live jazz. I’ll be here…I’ll be the one who can’t stop smiling.