Listen & Be Heard Weekly Archives

The weather for this year?s [tag]Jazz Festival on the waterfront[/tag] couldn?t have been any better. The memory of baking in the sun last year blew away in the balmy weather that made it easy to listen and enjoy the music. Carol Larson, organizer along with the festival?s founder, Kristy Juliano, told me that they were very happy with how the festival went this year. Her only small complaint was that they would have been happy with more support from the hometown folks. There was local support among the non-profit groups that helped in various ways to insure that everything went smoothly for the visitors who came from all over on Saturday and Sunday to hear a total of fourteen bands play on three stages. Included in the assisting local groups were Vallejo Soroptimists International, Vallejo Music Theatre, Continental of Omegas Boys and Girls Club, Vallejo Cultural Arts Foundation, the Kiwanis Club of Vallejo, St. Patrick St. Vincent High School Choir, Hogan High School Volleyball Team, Valcore Recycling and the GVRD. Advocates for the Arts contributed $3,000 this year toward the 2006 Jazz Festival Scholarships which will be awarded later this year. Now there?s a reason for locals to support this festival. The money that is made on ticket sales goes to pay the musicians and then to fund scholarships for local music students. At $15 a ticket this year, that is really a win-win situation.

New this year was to turn the second stage into the [tag]Marina Blues Stage[/tag]. A concept which, judging by the crowds seated to listen, went over very well. Local favorite Alvon was playing on Sunday when I strolled that way after listening to the very hip Mo?Rockin Project on the Main Stage. Why so hip? Well, just my opinion, but I never heard jazz played on an oud before, and now I have. Look for a review of their CD in a future issue…

Zio Fraedo?s Restaurant continued in the tradition of the former Waterbarge by hosting an intimate indoor stage perfect for the crooning of Frank Jackson that I heard also on Sunday.

According to Carol Larson the fine art on display sold very well. The exhibition was organized by Vallejo Community Arts Foundation, and featured many local artists including the work of local legend Cleven Goodie Goudeau.

Our staff photographer, Stephen Jacobson, was there on Saturday. You?ll find more of his pictures here.

[tags]Vallejo Jazz Festival[/tags]