4th Annual Glen Ellyn Jazz Fest

With the hot sun tempered by an occasional breeze, pianist Jo Ann Daughtery's trio kicked things off at 3pm with a sparkling set featuring Jo Ann's inspired original compositions. Backed by bassist Matt Ulery and drummer/husband Ryan Bennett, Daughterty was the perfect choice to start the festival off, and her melodic playing and positive energy captivated the crowd immediately. Many of the tunes performed were from the pianist's wonderful Range of Motion recording. Daughtery deserves wider recognition, and now that her stint with Jersey Boys is done, perhaps we will get the opportunity to see her more frequently in the clubs around town.

The excitement continued at a high level as Andreas Kapsalis and Goran Ivanovic's guitar duo ascended the stage on Main Street. Many guitar duos are content to lull their listeners into a coma, but these two instead amaze their audience with intricate, lightning fast guitar interplay. Songs performed included "Vertigo," "Arrhythmia," "Shadow Thief" and "Migration of the Solstice" from their Guitar Duo album, as well as Chick Corea's "Spain," Egberto Gismonti's "Frevo, and new songs from their upcoming album (to be relased in October).

The duo's well-received set was followed by singer Ava Logan. The festival programmers deserve credit for selecting a wide range of styles and for scheduling the acts in this order, as this was the perfect time to bring a singer on stage, and Logan's brand of striaght-ahead standards suited the crowd to a tee. Backed by pianist (and WDCB radio host) Bruce Oscar, bassist Kurt Schweitz and drummer Ryan Bennett filling in, Logan thrilled the crowd with her renditions of "So Many Stars" (from her album of the same name), "That's Why the Lady is a Tramp," Jobim's "Dindi," "That Old Devil Moon," "Day in Day Out" and more. Paying tribute to singers Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee and Nancy Wilson, Logan charrned the crowd with her lovely voice and engaging personality.

Darwin Noguera's Evolution Sextet was up next and this stellar band nearly set the stage on fire with their burning hot set. This group just keeps getting better and better and the work they have put in constantly playing together is really paying off. This ensemble features an all-star cast, including Noguera on piano, Victor Garcia on trumpet and flugelhorn, Rocky Yera on tenor saxophone, Juan Pastor on drums, Victor Gonzales on congas and Ben Willits (temporarily back from NYC and filling in for Josh Ramos) on bass. Many songs played were from their fine Chicago Sessions release - The Gardener, while a new and highly anticipated album, with special guests including trombonist Steve Turre, is planned for release later this summer. A very strong and satisfying set that did its part to introduce Latin jazz to the far western burbs.

Concluding the festival proper was veteran "alto mad" sax man Richie Cole - a Chicago favorite, with bassist Aaron Mitter, drummer Trevor Shandling, guitarist Henry Johnson and special guests, including the "Pan Man" Eric Liebing on steel pans. The crowd was packed on Main Street for this exuberant set, which included standards like "Almost Like Being in Love," the "Glen Ellyn Blues" and Richie originals like "Return to Alto Acres." The positive energy generated by this group ended the festival on a high note.

But there was more to come. At Curly's, the after fest set was led by the Paul Abella group - led by percussionist (and WDCB program director) Abella, guitarist Mitchell Corso, bassist Bob Ferraris and vibraphonist Stephen Lynerd. This group - which blends jazz with rock - was in fine form and delighted the crowd with songs like "All Along the Watchtower" and an incredible version of "Stairway to Heaven." The audience included Richie Cole and Henry Johnson, while Ava Logan sang with the band on "The Boy from Ipanema" and saxophonist Shawn Maxwell pumped up the crowd on "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy."

Another truly successful festival in Glen Ellyn. Here's to many more!