20,000 jam SPAC, soak up some jazz
by Don A. Metivier, The Post-Star, July 6, 1981
A two-day crowd estimated at 20,000 braved day-long rain, sticky temperatures and thunderstorms to attend the Kool Jazz Festival-Saratoga.
About 10,000 were on hand at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Saturday for Jazz Kaleidoscope Part I, and an equal number turned out Sunday for Part II.
Saturday, the crowd turned the grounds at SPAC into a city of tents, as the hill outside the amphitheater and the lawns were covered with tents and shelters pitched by spectators to protect them from the drizzle that at times grew heavy.
Sunday’s weather was better, but a threat of thunderstorms hung over the area, and rain was predicted to hit before the final notes were sounded at midnight.
One of the big success stories of the 1981 Jazz Festival was the use of the second stage. Built on the lawn in the picnic area of the Roosevelt Bath House, the stage was used for smaller groups between sets of the bigger bands on the amphitheater stage. Saturday, crowds stood out in the rain to hear the musicians on the second performing area. “It seemed as if the crowds on the lawns accepted it as their stage, and moved to it every time someone played,” Peter Hopper, of the SPAC staff, noted.
Chico Hamilton and the Mellifluous Rhythm Orchestra opened the festival at noon Saturday, and then Hamilton moved with a smaller group to the second stage.
The group Kilimanjaro was next in the amphitheater and also later moved to the second stage, where it attracted a large crowd, including many who moved from inside the amphitheater.
The first major group to play was the Basie Alumni, a 16-piece big band composed of former members of the Count Basie Orchestra. With players such as Clark Terry — who recently has been playing with the Tonight Show Orchestra — Sweets Edison, and singer Jimmy Witherspoon, the group had the crowd on its feet cheering for more.
Young pianist Rodney Franklin was next on the SPAC stage, and the 22-year-old from Berkley. Calif., showed he has been heavily influenced by the late Erroll Garner in style and intensity. He was joined by his trio, and they performed several songs from his new Columbia album, “Simply Rodney Franklin.”
When Woody Herman brought out his Young Thundering Herd, they looked more like a high school stage band than a major swing orchestra — until they started to play. Herman has assembled the finest group of young musicians in the country, and his driving talent and tremendous experience have forged them into a fine jazz organization.
Herman had the 15 musicians show they know the entire book, playing swing, jazz and smooth modern sounds, such as “Especially for You” written by the band’s pianist John Otto. Several band members then sang bebop.
Herman and trumpet player George Rabbai teamed up for a scat vocal on the great band bebop tune “Lemon Drop,” which Herman turned into a hit before Rabbai was born.
Herman wound up his set with “Fanfare for the Common Man,” and left the big crowd begging for more.
Another big favorite was B.B King, his guitar “Lucille,” and his 10-piece band. King has been the nation’s top blues singer for decades and still has no challenger.
Sunday’s program really got moving as Dizzy Gillespie puffed up his cheeks and blasted his upraised horn late in the afternoon. He was followed by Dave Brubeck and then singer-songwriter Mel Tormé and his trio.
The evening ended on a swinging note as Weather Report brought its modern sounds to the stage and then Mel Lewis and the Jazz Orchestra finished off.
One of the major reasons the festival was such a success was the way the bands were moved on and off the stage. The schedule was kept, and the audience didn’t have long waits between sets. The sound also was excellent, adding to the overall enjoyment of the music.
SPAC officials said the large crowds were well-behaved and no incidents were reported.
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