Friday, July 27, 2012

Jazzed

On my recent trip to Halifax, an unexpected bonus was the happening of the Jazz Festival.  On a sunny afternoon I had the great pleasure of groovin' to 2 differently styled jazz groups under the big top down by the waterside, enjoying a refreshing glass of local brew (Garrison's Red Ale) when things got hot.  The admission was free and the music free-flowing.


Nothin' like a good drummer to lay down the back beat and keep the rhythm on track.  
A cool-dude hat can only enhance the vibe 
(Bill Stevenson Trio).



Boots the Cat could do nothing but manufacture an irresistible groove.



Here we are, horning in on some of the brass.  (I used to have a pair of shades, similar to the dude's on the right, that I bought in Paris, circa 1966! Only mine, of course, were way cooler!)



One of the percussionists did an awesome job of chanelling the John Belushi look.



My friend and I sat way at the back of the tent so the photos I took were taken at the maximum capacity of my little camera's 12 x zoom range.  When you're at the back of a venue, obviously you're going to get a lot of heads in the way of the shot.  Here I liked the patterns of the plastic chair backs and the evident engagement of the guys in front of me listening intently to the music.  Throw in the cool colours of the t-shirts, echoed by the blue shirt in the middle distance and, for me, it adds up to visual pleasure.  Sorry I can't throw in the acoustic as well.










I've laid down the base line here (pun intended, of course).  
More to come soon from my Jazz Fest experience.

Wishin' y'all a groovilicious weekend!

20 comments:

  1. I love the Cubist-abstract quality of these photos, Lynne. And the last B&W one is super-duper-cool. Photoshop never fails to amaze me. Those white shades are all the rage here in Italy. Too bad you don't have your Paris ones anymore! :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. jann,
      I wouldn't be able to wear the shades any more because I need prescription lenses, so that's some small compensation. I mean, aside from the fact that I'd look completely nuts in them! I did the last picture as an afterthought and was pretty "jazzed" by it, myself.
      :-)

      Delete
  2. Anonymous28 July, 2012

    Great pictures. Like your post processing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lady Fi,
      Ah, for me, it's all about the post processing. Glad to hear you appreciate it, thanks!

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. DCW,
      Sounds like an excellent name for a condoms shop.

      Delete
    2. I remember you asking in your very best High School French for the proprietor of the shop to sell you those outrageous sunglasses, even tho it was pouring rain outside.

      Delete
    3. Shirl,
      I was so thrilled to try out my French (helped along by a lot of pointing and gesturing). Funny, I don't remember it raining at all. I guess all my memories are sunny ones?

      Delete
  4. Anonymous28 July, 2012

    Such great vibes, summer loosing its strength over here, thank you very much for this journey. Please have a good Sunday you all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Robert,
      Glad you could dig the cool vibes. Summer is still hot and in full swing, much like the jazz this band played, here in the Canadian maritimes.

      Delete
  5. I like the electric blue on the pictures,really suits the subject.Even better to have been there and experienced the performance!

    Ruby

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ruby,
      You picked up on the electric blue! I really liked the effect, myself, and wanted to emphasize it in the post editing, though it was pretty much like that at the show. A little bit of electrifying jazz had people up and dancing.

      Delete
  6. Oh boy, am cranking up some Boots the Cat on UTube... gotta like that beat ! What on earth did we do before YouTube came along ? Now it really is nearly instant gratification...

    Glad you get jazzed...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Owen,
      One night recently I couldn't for the life of me think of the term "You Tube." I wanted to check out a song but I couldn't remember what the name of the site was to Google it. I did realize that I could look on the computer's "favourites" bar but it was pretty disconcerting to have lost the name. And so it begins...

      What were talking about?

      Delete
  7. Great shots, live music is wonderful and free just makes it more accessible. Love your images,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gillian,
      Sometimes there really is such a thing as a "free lunch" (metaphorically speaking). I'm happy that you appreciate my pix!

      Delete
  8. I am sorry I can't hear the music too but the pictures are really stylish, what good lighting and cool decor. And what a bonus that it was free!
    Great shots, great post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jenny,
      There were event organizers shaking jars for contributions at the entrance to the grounds, which I think is more than fair. One really couldn't have put a price on the music, the weather, and the level of enjoyment everyone was sharing.

      Delete
  9. Oh wow, what a time we could have had if I had dragged along my plastic chair, matching plastic booze jug filled with Rabbit Ranch Sauvignon Blanc, matching YELLOW SLATTED sunnies....very jazzy indeed! Love live jazz, actually my all time favourite song is by Cleo Laine (You can always Count on Me...not sure if it is on You Tube or not)
    Cin cin!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saj,
      A hot sunny day out with a good friend, accompanied by the sound of groovin' jazz, and no admission charge: What more could one ask for? A cold beer or a glass of wine? You got it! I don't think they'd have let you in with your wine keg.

      I saw Cleo Laine in concert with her hubby, John Dankworth, back in the 70s. Someone once told me (when I had a sort of a 'fro hairdo) that I looked like Cleo Laine. I took it as a great compliment (even though I knew it wasn't true).

      Delete