Jazz on the 5th, Nr. 14

Right now, in Montreux, the Jazz Festival is going on. And for the 5th year in a row, I am not able to attend. Montreux, for two weeks is the world capital of jazz and many other kinds of music.

I have been a "festivalier" since 1986, the year we moved to Montreux. And I have T-shirts practically from every year. Even the last 5 years. Because my daughter goes and buys them for me.

What lovely souvenirs I have. During the two weeks, there will not only be concerts in the Auditorium Stravinsky and in the Miles Davis Hall. But there will be also hundred of free concerts on the quais along the lake. Concerts of great and unknown performers. I always look in the program leaflet for the big bands. Because I love big bands. And there are no big bands anymore, or just a few, like Maynard Ferguson. But the US colleges and high schools are maintaining the tradition of big bands. And they have real good ones.

A few years ago, there was a big band playing at the "Kiosque de musique". A beautiful two hours performance. To be followed by a Salsa band. Which is also music I love. So, I was going to have a nice afternoon of great music. The big band was really good and their concert lasted more than two hours because we wanted "encore's" and we got plenty. Finally, it ended and the musicians started to pack their instruments. But a few did not. They stayed on stage, changed their T-Shirts. On them was written "Orquesta de Jazz y Salsa Alto Maiz". They started to play. One of the best Salsa bands I ever have heard. They drove us to exctasy and completely nuts. They were also supposed to play 2 hours, they played 3. We simply did not let them go. A few days later, they gave a dinner concert at "Le Petit Palais" of the Montreux Palace Hotel and my wife, the kids and I attended. It was recorded life and I have the record.

The very special thing about this is that the big band musicians turning into Salsa players are from the "State University Iowa"!! What a surprise. There is only one "real" Salsa man. From Panama. You see him on the video. The man at the piano is Bob Washut, professor of music, leader of the State University Iowa Big band and master of the Orquesta de Jazz y Salsa Alto Maiz.

I found this video of "Alot Maiz" on YouTube, it was taken at a wedding reception by an amateur and I am sure you will, like me, love it.