The Rochester International Jazz Festival defied the rain on Thursday, offering a cozy and defiant atmosphere that showcased remarkably talented artists. Despite early cancellations due to weather, the festival pressed on, treating attendees to a day of extraordinary performances.
My journey began at Kilbourn Hall, where the award-winning singer-songwriter Camila Meza took the stage, blending jazz, Latin American, and classical music into a mesmerizing tapestry of sound.
Camila Meza’s Enchanting Performance
Meza’s music transcends traditional jazz boundaries, creating an interconnected sonic experience. As she explained to the audience, “It’s all interconnected.” Her trio transported the room to a new realm with twinkling keyboards and shimmering cymbals, while Meza’s voice soared like a tidal wave, then faded to a whisper, captivating the audience with her precision and restraint.
Her dynamic stage presence and masterful guitar work added to the enchantment. Meza effortlessly switched between intricate hard bop runs and bouncy bossa nova fingerpicking, showcasing her tactful authority on the instrument. Each song carried an ethereal quality, with gentle Latin rhythms, percussion, and lush piano keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.
The highlight of Meza’s show came near the end when she invited the audience to join her in singing one of her newest pieces. Despite her initial nervousness, the audience transformed into a blissful choir, moving Meza to tears and leaving a lasting impression.
The Cosmic Fusion of Everything Yes
Next, I ventured to The Duke on Main to experience the jazz fusion of North Carolina’s Everything Yes. The sight of their drum kit, adorned with 10 cymbals of various shapes and sizes, hinted at the extraordinary performance that followed.
Everything Yes is a band of brothers, with siblings Zack and Nathan Graybeal on drums and alto sax, respectively, joined by Reggie McNeill on keys, Sean Reeser on tenor, and Cole Sipe on bass. Their joyful energy and experimental spirit were evident as they launched into fusion epics, blending airy saxophones, cosmic synths, and physics-defying drum fills over odd time signatures.
Drummer Zack Graybeal, known as ZackGrooves on social media, was the star of the show. His seamless incorporation of all 10 cymbals created a beat that defied belief, serving the band’s sound impeccably while still delivering face-melting drum solos. The band closed their set with a standard 4/4 time song, offering a moment of respite from their metric dynamism.
Galactic’s Funky Energy
As the sun set, I headed to the Wegmans stage to see the bombastic New Orleans group Galactic on a friend’s recommendation. Initially reluctant to deviate from my schedule, I was glad I did, as their performance left the crowd begging for more.
Galactic, a staple of the New Orleans jazz scene for 30 years, brought a pocket so deep you could lose your phone in it. Their pulsating bass, snarling horns, and sweet guitar tone created an irresistible funk energy that had the crowd dancing from start to finish.
Fronted by the fabulous Angelika “Jelly” Joseph, Galactic’s performance was a force of nature. Joseph’s powerful voice and commanding stage presence had the audience in the palm of her hand. She encouraged everyone to dance and even shared a heartfelt “I love you too” with an impassioned festivalgoer.
After their final song, the band was greeted by a young boy holding a drumstick he caught during the encore. Joseph and the band encouraged him to keep pursuing his passion for drumming, leaving a lasting impression on the young fan and the audience alike.
