All That Jazz

ALL THAT Jazz IN FLAGSTAFF

FOLLOWING SATURDAY'S STORM-DRENCHED OPENING, SUNDAY DAWNS IMMACULATELY AT THE ARIZONA JAZZ, RHYTHM & BLUES FESTIVAL IN FLAGSTAFF'S FOXGLENN PARK. AFTER THE RAIN, THE LAWN IS SPARKLING GREEN, THE SKY EXQUISITELY BLUE; AND THE BREEZE WAFTS IN LIKE A SIGH. ENCIRCLING THE PARK, SPARLIKE TRUNKS OF PONDEROSA PINES SOAR SKYWARD, AND IN THE DISTANCE THE SNOWCAPPED SAN FRANCISCO PEAKS SHIMMER IN THE CLEAR AIR.

By midmorning the aroma of freshly brewed coffee floats on the air as festivalgoers arrive quietly. On the main stage, Phoenix musicians Margo Reed and her brother, Michael Reed, run through a quick sound check, then Margo steps to the microphone, thanks everyone for coming, and, without introduction, launches an a cappella rendition of "Amazing Grace." For nearly 20 years, the Sunday morning gospel hour has been a tradition at this festival, which began in Telluride, Colorado, in 1977 before moving in 1995 to Flagstaff. At the conclusion of Margo's full-voiced rendering of that beautiful frequently sung hymn, the sparse crowd is silent for a long moment. Up front, a man shouts "Amen!" The audience applauds. Margo sings another solo, then Michael joins in on a duet. A pianist, drummer, and guitar player come onstage followed by sister Francine Reed, a well-known recording artist who flew in from Atlanta to appear with her family at this festival among the fragrant pines. "It Is No Secret What God Can Do," "Precious Lord," "Rusty Old Halo," "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" . . . Margo introduces each gospel number with a few words about who wrote it, what it means to her personally, or about the circumstances of her first performance of the hymn, either in church or on a public stage. Clearly, for the Reeds these gospel songs are no less musically significant than the ballads, torch songs, and blues numbers performed in their Saturday concert. It's an impressive lineup for the first annual Arizona Jazz, Rhythm & Blues Festival. People have come from all over Arizona to see such performers as Sister Sledge, Arturo Sandoval, Ellis Marsalis, Luther "Guitar Jr." Johnson, the Zydeco Flames, and Koko Taylor. But many of the "local" artists - the Reeds from Phoenix and Sancho Clemente and Limbs Akimbo from Flagstaff - also attract dedicated fans. The scene has a small-town flavor. Entire families spread blankets on the lawn below the bandshell. At 7,000 feet, Flagstaff's early summer weather - shorts and T-shirt days, sweatsuit nights is ideal for the festival. When I walk onto the festival ground on Saturday morning, a stiff breeze is freshen-ing from the west, and I can see clouds bil-lowing on the horizon. No outdoor musicfestival I've ever attended has been rainedout, however, and as the program notes forthe Arizona Jazz, Rhythm & Blues Festivalstate, this show will go on rain or shine.

As the sky increasingly darkens, a couple of Flagstaff groups perform. Suddenly a series of wind gusts blasts the bandshell, and stagehands race to cover sound equipment with vinyl sheeting. Distant lightning streaks the sky. By the time the Reed family comes onstage to perform a mix of ballads, blues, and show tunes, a storm seems imminent. When a thunderclap rips the sky followed by a flicker of lightning seconds later, the music abruptly stops and the performers head for cover. Large raindrops spatter the ground.

Knowing that a storm front changes the weather in a finger snap here in the highcountry, most in attendance brought extra clothes. Many pulled out rain ponchos, umbrellas, or plastic tarps with whichthey've fashioned makeshift shelters.

Gradually the downpour slackens, the sky lightens some, and Francine Reed comes to the main stage microphone to beltout the Ida Cox classic "Wild Women Don't Sing the Blues." And, while Francine doesn't exactly chase the clouds away - it rains off and on all day - she does lift the crowd's spirits immeasurably.

The festival caters to a range of musical tastes from blues to rhythm and blues to jazz to other musical genres that resist classification. For example, the Flagstaff band, Limbs Akimbo, composed largely of Northern Arizona University jazz ensemble alumni, which describes its music as "funka-salsa-lypso." Translation: a high-energy blend of funk, ska, salsa, and calypso intended to encourage dancing.

The group that inspired some of the most unrestrained dancing was the ZydecoFlames, a last-minute addition to the program. Soon after the Flames started playing, the dance arena, normally the park's baseball infield, was churning with hundreds of dancing feet.

Ellis Marsalis, a favorite of mine, lures the audience close to the stage to listen to his solo piano stylings. Jazz aficionados are well aware that Marsalis is the progenitor of a musical dynasty of sorts. Sons Wynton and Branford, familiar television presences, are well-known performers on trumpet and tenor saxophone, respectively. Two other sons, Delfeayo, a trombonist and record producer, and Jason, a drummer, also are active in the jazz world.

At the end of his set, which includes compositions by Marsalis himself, Duke Ellington, and others, the crowd applauds for more, but time will not allow it. Reluctantly, they let him go.

When Cuban-born trumpet and flugel-horn player Arturo Sandoval sets up on the main stage for the festival's grand finale, I I notice several members of the NAU Jazz Ensemble seated in the row behind me. Nearby, as close as they can get to the stage, are musicians from other groups that performed earlier. Sandoval is a giant among musicians, and the younger jazz players in the audience seem on the edge of their seats with anticipation.

Sandoval, who has been featured at jazzfestivals worldwide, including Newport,Montreaux, and Chicago, and has played in jazz clubs in New York, London, and elsewhere, brings an outstanding assemblage of musicians to Flagstaff. Arturo Sandoval yGrupo does not disappoint. Danzon, cha-chacha, songo the flavors and rhythmsare Cuban, the improvisations soaring, themood joyful.

Many in the crowd are subdued, initiallynonplussed perhaps by complex rhythmsand harmonics. Quickly, though, we're alltransported by the music, and soon everyone is standing, handclapping in time tothe music, dancing in place, shouting approval. I turn to check the reactions of thejazz-playing youngsters sitting behind me.The look on one young man's face is positively rapturous.

Too soon, the concert ends. As I leave the festival ground with the echo of Latinrhythms in my ears, I walk across the parking lot in a kind of mambo step. I swear.And I'm not much of a dancer.

Author's Note: This year's Arizona Jazz,Rhythm & Blues Festival will take placeJune 28-30 at Flagstaff's Coconino CountyFairground.

At Flagstaff's 7,000-foot elevation, theweather can change quickly, so be preparedfor dropping temperatures and rainstorms.For scheduled performers and other in-formation, as well as to ask about lodgingand other area attractions and events, callthe Flagstaff Visitor Center, toll-free (800)842-7293.