2012 - HOT STEAMED JAZZ FESTIVAL'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY!

Marce

20th Anniversary Cake Presentation

HOT STEAMED JAZZ FESTIVAL

by Lauren Humpage

Twenty one years ago, near the close of The Great Connecticut Traditional Jazz Festival in Essex, CT I had a casual late evening conversation with Joe and Shirley Bombaci and Bpombaci and (if my memory is correct) Darcie Deaville the jazz fiddler with Igor Glenn's Jazz Cowboys, who was staying at Joe and Shirley's house for the weekend festival.

The Great Connecticut Traditional Jazz Festival was being transferred from Essex to a camp ground in Moodus, Connecticut and pushed out to July. 

Jim Almond, a conductor at the Essex Railroad Museum, suggested to Joe and Shirley that they maintain a festival here in Essex.

Although at that time the jazz followers attending numbered in the thousands, I for one was not sure if  The Hot Steamed Jazz Festival would be profitable. Would fans return to the area within 45 days of the large 3-day TGCTJF in July for another festival much smaller in size? 

In the first couple of years, it was a struggle and ran in the red, and the Bombacis had to cover the losses.  Eventually they were able to find sponsors and get the festival to where it is today.  For twenty years fans have returned to the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival, and still do with great enthusiasm.

Originally, it was two venues, the engine house and one large tent, but for about the past nine years it has been in two large tents. The general atmosphere has been enthusiasm and excitement for performers and followers alike. Although crowds have never reached the level experienced at that TGCTJF, attendance has been in the low hundreds. (A good measure being in general, the present age of the followers of the music.)  But it is still a 3-day festival of excellent quality... maybe one of the best small festivals in the country.  

The weather is not a problem - no matter what mother nature throws at this festival, the excitement and quality persists from the first note played early Friday evening to the last note played late Sunday afternoon. Why? Partly because it's an intimate informal outdoor experience where friendships and camaraderie between followers/supporters and musicians intermingle continually and effortlessly everywhere on the grounds between sets all weekend long.

The quality of musicianship? My word! The best of the best from those that have been the top dogs for years to the new upcoming talent that are deservedly making names for themselves nationally and internationally in the jazz world we all love.

I'm not a great one to remark on one tune over another. My interest and memory locks into the overall total performance of any individual or group - what happened musically and how the audience reacts. 

More of Lauren's comments on the Bands' pages.