Sonny Rollins kicked off the beginning of the 33rd annual Detroit Jazz Festival last night at Campus Martius. Watching the frail 82 year old jazz great gingerly hobble on to the stage to start his show, he looked like a worn down man whose better days were behind him. In years past, I've witnessed other jazz legends in the twilight of their careers, who couldn't keep pace with their larger than life reputations. First impressions are misleading, but this show looked like it might be heading down that dreadful road of a larger than life musician trying to hang on a bit too long. As I mentioned though, first impressions are misleading.
From beginning to end Sonny Rollins not only met expectations, he blew the damn lid off his reputation as one of the all time greats of jazz. For the entirety of his hour and a half set, he blew the hell out of his horn with the passion and fervor of someone who had something to prove. By the end of the night, drummer Kobe Watkins looked physically spent from the frenetic pace set by Mr. Rollins.
The Detroit Jazz Festival continues through the Labor Day weekend. Wynton Marsalis, Chick Corea and Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, Wayne Shorter, and Marcus Belgrave are a few of the musicians slated to perform for the duration of the festival. A worth while event, that ranks as one of the best jazz festivals anywhere.
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| photo by Steve Maruta |
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