{"id":2199,"date":"2013-08-30T15:22:56","date_gmt":"2013-08-30T15:22:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/216.71.127.204\/wordpress\/?p=2199"},"modified":"2015-10-20T18:59:21","modified_gmt":"2015-10-20T18:59:21","slug":"20-years-of-mountain-jazz-2013-idyllwild-jazz-in-the-pines-music-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/2013\/08\/30\/20-years-of-mountain-jazz-2013-idyllwild-jazz-in-the-pines-music-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Years of Mountain Jazz: 2013 Idyllwild Jazz in the Pines Music Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n
Written by Dave Clements <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aug 30, 2013 at 05:22 PM<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Image\"We were up before 3:00 am on Saturday, August 17th\u00a0to make our 6:30 flight to LAX.<\/p>\n

By 10:20 am Pacific Time we\u2019d connected through LAX and touched down in Palm Springs.\u00a0 I had my camera bag over my shoulder and luggage in hand as we hopped in the rental car ready to head west on The Ten.\u00a0 Yes, The Ten \u2013 not Interstate 10, not The Katy Freeway, not I 10\u2026just The Ten.\u00a0\u00a0 When in Rome, or California!<\/p>\n

Destination:\u00a0 Idyllwild, CA, or as the locals call it \u2018up The Hill\u2019 \u2013 elevation 5000+ feet, population 3870, location about 2.5 hours out of\u00a0 L.A. or an hour from the desert floor of Palm Springs.<\/p>\n

We were on a mission to get to the 20th anniversary celebration known as Idyllwild Jazz in the Pines Music Festival.\u00a0 The first day of the 2 day festival was just about to kick off as we headed into the mountains.<\/p>\n

Fortunately everything was running smoothly and on time thanks in part to my wife\u2019s excellent handling of the travel arrangements.<\/p>\n

Before noon we had checked into our room for the weekend at the very rustic Strawberry Creek Bunkhouse.\u00a0 Not a true bunkhouse at all, this was a quaint 50\u2019s style motel.\u00a0 The cozy little one story row of rooms was close to the festival and perfect for our short stay in Idyllwild.<\/p>\n

Fifteen minutes later we are on a shuttle bus both excited that we were about to experience our first jazz festival and anxious but hopeful that everything would continue to go as smoothly as what we\u2019d experienced so far.\u00a0 Upon reflection our truth is that things just got better and better!<\/p>\n

The festival’s PR person, Regina Davis, was there to greet us, giving us a big smile and welcome as well as our credentials for the weekend.\u00a0 After a brief tour to get the lay of land, we were off to experience the music.\u00a0 There were 3 simultaneous performances going on at all times.\u00a0 All stages were within easy walking distance and strategically placed as to not interfere with each other.\u00a0 The main stage was on the side of a hill, a pseudo amphitheater producing wonderful sound.\u00a0 Most patrons were camped out on their lawn chairs or blankets looking laid back, settled in and grooving to the whole scene.\u00a0 There was a nice breeze keeping the crowd comfortable and creating a beautiful billowing effect on the massive parachutes that had been hung across the lawn for shade.\u00a0 And we were grateful!<\/p>\n

Remember that we were a mile closer to that big fireball in the sky than usual.\u00a0 We were also grateful for the credentials they\u00a0 gave us provided access to the \u2018green room\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0 The altitude got to me initially but after a couple trips to this press and musicians area\u00a0 downing lots of cold water, I was raring to go and listen to some cool jazz and start shooting!\u00a0 (It was also rejuvenating to have the opportunity to chat in the green room with some of the artists and the great volunteers.)<\/p>\n

The Ray Goren Band was the first we listened to as they graced the main Holmes Amphitheater stage.\u00a0 He and his bandmates set a nice cadence for the first round of bands we got to experience. Keep an eye on Ray, the boy is just beginning a very long and successful career. Rocky Zharp and the Blues Crackers were over at the French Quarter stage, while Janis Mann was belting it out in The Barn.<\/p>\n

The French Quarter was all about \u2018N\u2019awlins\u2019. Along with a dance floor at its own shade providing parachute, it features a much smaller stage.\u00a0 However, it was definitely not small on activity!\u00a0 We heard good sounds and enjoyed watching lots of fans sucking down the suds and soaking up the music. The Barn on the other hand was more like a small listening room venue.\u00a0 It had both indoor and outdoor seating. It was enclosed on three sides with the back end open.\u00a0 More chairs were placed there outside under a tent so that patrons could still face the bands\u00a0 and enjoy the music in the open air.\u00a0 I wish I could report that there was an actual stage in the barn but no so.\u00a0\u00a0 Elevating the performers would improve the crowd\u2019s enjoyment in my opinion. I noted very little room for improvement other than this one issue for the weekend.<\/p>\n

I think that tells you, our HMR readers, just how well organized and professional the entire festival was run \u2013 and all by volunteers and neighbors.\u00a0 Did I mention how friendly and informative everyone was?\u00a0 We especially enjoyed our time spent chatting with Regina, Ken, Nancy and Colette.<\/p>\n

We fielded a lot of questions about what brought us to the festival and where we were from.\u00a0 Guess despite trying to get the California lingo right we still didn\u2019t look like locals?\u00a0 Maybe the boots, spurs, and cowboy hats gave use away \u2026 kidding!\u00a0\u00a0 At any rate, many were surprised to learn that we had flown in all the way from Houston solely to attend the event.<\/p>\n

Now for the top 3 highlights for me:\u00a0 Third place occurred at about 1:30 pm PST when the emcee at the main stage, Bubba Jackson, introduced Ms. Diane Schuur.\u00a0 I watched as it took some time for this lady to move across the stage, with a gentleman guided her carefully toward the black Yamaha grand piano. I misinterpreted the reason for the slow and steady approach and thought this could be a real train wreck performance. I didn’t realize at that moment that Ms. Schuur was a two time Grammy winner and had been blind from birth. Maybe the emcee mentioned this in his introduction but I did not hear it.<\/p>\n

Either way, it soon became clear that this 59 yr. old dynamo came to give us a show. She threw her hands up in the air greeting the audience then sat down on the piano bench and then her hands exploded across the keyboard.<\/p>\n

Her opening number had her belting out a very special rendition of Merle Haggard\u2019s song Today I Started Loving You Again.\u00a0 It was way different than the many times I’ve heard Hag sing it, but terrific nonetheless. This lady can sing and she can play the piano with beautiful talent and gusto.\u00a0 I was reminded to rethink my biases. Appearances can be deceiving and I never would have guessed she would deliver this amazing performance.<\/p>\n

As an aside, this is not the first time I have drawn a faulty conclusion.\u00a0 When I first saw Leon Russell live he was helped to the stage by two mean, one on each side and I thought he was going to collapse before he got there.\u00a0 But lo and behold when he sat down at that keyboards he came alive and controlled the room for almost two hours straight of awesome nonstop entertainment!<\/p>\n

The second place very high highlight of the weekend (besides having a weekend date with my wife) was on Sunday afternoon at high noon also in the main stage.\u00a0 I was down front in the pit, waiting for this kid I\u2019d never heard of named Casey Abrams to take the stage.<\/p>\n

I’d read he was a contestant on American Idol but that didn’t mean much to me. I don\u2019t watch much TV as a rule and AI would not be high on my list even if I did. I kept waiting for him to come from behind the stage but he duped us all by coming right down the hill, through the audience. He was smiling, shaking hands, signing autographs and just visiting with folks on his way down. He crossed the walkway on to the stage and took his place behind his bass guitar.<\/p>\n

This 22 year old young man was incredible! Loved his songs, loved his guitar playing (including the stand up bass), loved his piano playing and especially loved his great connection to the audience. I immediately wanted to start comparing him to other artists that are favorites of mine. Having said that, he puts his original stamp on his performance with some flavoring of Jason Mraz, Keb\u2019 Mo\u2019, and Gavin DeGraw.<\/p>\n

In this writer\u2019s opinion it all adds up to the conclusion that this guy\u2019s got IT. That X-factor that promises to make Casey Abrams a sure fire national star\u2026and soon.<\/p>\n

\"Image\"Remember you heard it here first, this guy is the real deal and very soon everyone will know that.\u00a0 Go to www.iamcaseyabrams.com<\/span><\/u><\/a> and check it out. He also graduated from Idyllwild Arts Academy in 2009 \u2013 the very campus where this festival is held! Obviously this school is capable of turning out some of the nation\u2019s finest.<\/p>\n

Now for first place, top of the list, biggest highlight of the weekend, and the reason we discovered this jazz festival \u2013 Mr. Tim Weisberg.<\/p>\n

You may not have heard of Mr. Weisberg, so let me fill you in.\u00a0 He is a world class flutist who I first discovered back in 1978.\u00a0 He played flute on an album with Dan Fogelberg called Twin Sons of\u00a0 Different Mothers.\u00a0\u00a0 Two of the songs on that album (yes, album \u2013 not CD) were released as singles:\u00a0 Tell Me to My Face and The Power of Gold.\u00a0 I do like The Power of Gold, but it\u2019s Tell Me to My Face that has been on my top ten favorite song list for many years now.\u00a0 At this point in my life I\u2019m guessing it\u2019s locked in for the duration.<\/p>\n

Tim’s friend Karen Smith was so kind in helping me communicate with Tim in advance of the event.\u00a0 She let him know we were coming and would enjoy meeting him.\u00a0 She also let him know my desire to get his autograph on my copy of the Twin Sons album, already signed by the now deceased Dan Fogelberg.\u00a0 In addition I was hoping to get a photo of him performing at the festival with his hand in the air.\u00a0 I am working on a book called Raising a Hand for Rett Syndrome and really wanted to include him as one of the featured artists.\u00a0 Mission accomplished on all of the above!<\/p>\n

This guy was extremely approachable.\u00a0 He came up to me before I had a chance to find him, disguised by his newly short hairstyle, and jokingly introduced himself as a member of Tim\u2019s band.\u00a0 We got the chance to chat for over 45 minutes backstage before the show.\u00a0 He was so engaging and open.\u00a0 He talked about discovering that he and Fogelberg had been attending each other\u2019s concerts without the other realizing it.\u00a0 That mutual admiration led to Tim playing on one of Fogelberg\u2019s early albums.\u00a0 And that, of course, led to the collaboration on Twin Sons as well as a second album, many years later in the 90\u2019s, called No Resemblance Whatsoever.\u00a0 It was a special opportunity for me and I could go on\u2026\u00a0 Email me if you want more details of the conversation!<\/p>\n

Tim signed several items for me\u00a0 including four or five of his other terrific albums.\u00a0 By far, though, the best of all is my now most treasured LP, Twin Sons of Different Mothers, signed by both Dan Fogelberg and Tim Weisberg \u2013 Woo Hoo!\u00a0 It\u2019s worth noting that there are not many of these albums signed by both artists.\u00a0 I\u2019ve included in the photo gallery a shot of Tim holding up the signed album.\u00a0 He shared that it was the only one he could recall signing that had Dan\u2019s signature on it.\u00a0\u00a0 That\u2019s the basis for my theory that there aren\u2019t many out there.\u00a0 Maybe not a big deal \u2026 unless you are an enthusiastic fan and collector like me!<\/p>\n

\"Image\"Also very important and special to me was capturing the hand in the air image I was after for my book.\u00a0 Not an easy task for a flute player!\u00a0 However, after a wonderfully entertaining hour plus performance (that included fave song Tell Me to My Face) the crowd stood up to give Tim and the rest of the band a standing ovation.\u00a0 He fist pumped high in the air, flute in the other hand, and a big genuine smile on his face.\u00a0 I dodged people to get in place and got the shot.\u00a0 Thank you Mr. Tim Weisberg!<\/p>\n

Next on my wish list is to get you Tim and your multitalented band to Texas.\u00a0 We love good music and gracious, generous artists here in Texas and you have plenty of all of that to share.<\/p>\n

As I wrap up this longer than usual review, I\u2019d like to give a shout out to local artist Marcia Gawecki of\u00a0 Idyllwild who provided the pop art banner you see of Tim as a backdrop for the performance. I had no idea that it would be going up and am so thankful that it was there.\u00a0 It added significant interest to my images of him.<\/p>\n

So, in conclusion, if you want to experience a quiet little mountain town with lot of rustic flavor, good food and wine, and a rich variety of soulful jazz music \u2013 you owe it to yourself to visit this unique event that is the Idyllwild Jazz in the Pines Music Festival.\u00a0 Put it on your radar screen for August 2014.<\/p>\n

Don’t put it off…remember there is no time to kill.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Written by Dave Clements Aug 30, 2013 at 05:22 PM We were up before 3:00 am on Saturday, August 17th\u00a0to make our 6:30 flight to LAX. By 10:20 am Pacific Time we\u2019d connected through LAX and touched down in Palm Springs.\u00a0 I had my camera bag over my shoulder and luggage in hand as we… <\/p>\n

Read More<\/i><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2199","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-features"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2199","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2199"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2199\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2200,"href":"https:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2199\/revisions\/2200"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2199"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2199"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2199"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}