As we're heading into the dog days of Summer, the festivals across Europe don't seem to have any intention of slowing down. Jazz, particularly American Jazz, is such a staple in the diet of most Europeans that any festival worth its salt has at least one legend on its concert schedule. Most of the time, several.
The Jazz Festival in Marciac France is no different - in fact, this festival appears to be hosting a who's who of Jazz greats this year (it's ending on the 15th so it might be way too late to get tickets). And this weekend's Downbeat features two of them; Ahmad Jamal and Yusef Lateef.
Broadcast live and direct from the stage last week by Radio France, this one hour set has a wildly appreciative crowd digging in to the timeless music of these two icons. Jamal and Lateef have been an integral part of the Jazz scene, making great music as solo artists since the mid 1950's.
Today they are the grand and revered figures in America's art form. And thankfully, still going strong.
Festival season is thankfully alive and wonderfully well.
