A little gris gris in them Litchfield hills....

I haven't ventured over to the Litchfield Jazz Festival in the last few years. Not sure why, perhaps too many choices around. Held each year on the first weekend in August at the Goshen Fairgrounds, it features a solid mixture of the various jazz styles (and even, to the chagrin of purists, some artists not ordinarily associated with jazz) in a relaxing, well-run format. In my absence, Chuck Obuchowski of the Hartford Courant summarizes this year's events:

Litchfield On The Bayou? Festival Honors Fallen City by Chuck Obuchowski, special to the Htfd Courant

Dr. John's eclectic musical gumbo might rankle the sensibilities of jazz purists, but he had no trouble winning over the crowd at the Litchfield Jazz Festival Sunday night. The 65-year-old New Orleans vocalist and keyboardist led his quartet, the Lower 911, through an entertaining set that touched on an array of American musical styles. The good doctor brought the 11th annual Litchfield fest to a wild close with a rockin' version of "Mess Around," a tune long associated with Ray Charles. Drummer Herman Everest invited audience members onstage to dance, and the platform filled quickly with at least 40 enthusiastic hip-shakers.

A Dr. John original, "Sweet Home New Orleans," a blues homage written shortly after Katrina struck last year, was an emotional highlight. His band members, all New Orleans residents, sang the refrain, "Ee're gonna come back twice as strong," with wrenching conviction. Sunday's rendition was enhanced by a gritty sax solo from Don Braden, musical director of the annual Litchfield Jazz Camp. The Lower 911 performed only two selections from Dr. John's new recording, "Mercernary," a tribute to songwriter Johnny Mercer. Much of the set featured old favorites ("Right Place, Wrong Time") and different takes on standard material including a dirge-like arrangement of "When the Saints Go Marching In" and a super-sanctified "Lay My Burden Down."

Most of the other featured artists at Litchfield - excepting Dionne Warwick - fit more readily into the jazz mainstream. - complete article