 In
true North Sea Jazz tradition this year’s festival
was another roaring success. The added bonus was brilliant weather,
with temperatures approaching 30 degrees, everyone really had
a chance to relax.
Den
Haag is a perfect location for what must be the biggest
Jazz Festival under one roof in the world. Held at the Netherlands
Congress Centre, the sixteen different venues each hold from a
couple of hundred to over 6,000 people. It is HUGE and over 22,000
people spent a fine weekend listening to some of the best musicians
around.
 You
can walk around and from every direction you hear jazz
music. The people are so friendly you can’t fail to have
a great time. There is a wide selection of food and drinks available
from all over the world including Suriname, Mexico, the Netherlands,
Indonesia…you can even get sushi! The whole event is very
well organised and very ‘people friendly’.
Guitarist Pat Metheny was the artist in residence
this year and easily filled the PWA ZAAL on Friday night, after
Tony Bennett and The Herbie Hancock Quartet
(featuring Bobby Hutcherson) had opened in this venue. Brilliant,
as was Shirley Horn who brought the evening to
a close here. But be warned that this was only in one venue, there
were another 15 or so going on at the same time so you needed
to choose carefully from the concertplan, which was widely available
or you may miss one of your favourites!
Other
artists on Friday included Randy Brecker &
Bill Evans, Solomon Burke, Steve Winwood and
The Roots, a Hip Hop band who are deservedly
reaching new heights, especially after their work with Erykah
Badu over the last few years. These artists easily each filled
the STATENHAL, the largest of the venues that holds about 6,000.
Positive Black Soul and the omnipotent Roy Hargrove
(who always deservedly features big in this festival) were some
of the others that I managed to squeeze in. Phew! What a night!
Just time for a nightcap at the Bel Air Hotel
(which lasted for a few hours!) and more Jazz in the basement
area.
 Saturday
saw a continuation of both the weather and the great jazz. Cassandra
Wilson and Wynton Marsalis featured
in the PWA ZAAL while Ibrahim Ferrer, Van Morrison, Roy
Hargrove with the Ramon Valle Quintet
and Marcus Miller were among my favourites in
the main STATENHALL. Emuir Deodato played in
the PAUL ACKETT PAVILJOEN and went down a storm. Back to the Bel
Air Hotel for more drinks and more live jazz that went on past
07.00 am.
Sunday
was perhaps the best night, even though Isaac Hayes
had to cancel at short notice. The evening brought Patti
Austin, Dianne Reeves and the legendary George
Benson to the PWA ZAAL. The STATENHAL was occupied by
the Latin band Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Spyro Gyra, Chick
Corea, Candy Dulfer, Incognito (who replaced Isaac Hayes
at short notice) and Maceo Parker. What a line
up! Just had time to squeeze in a little Curtis Stigers
and Boz Scaggs during the evening, as well as
a bite to eat in the Southern Comfort Zone along with some great
Jazz funk from DJ Cassie.
 Although
it was disappointing not to see Isaac Hayes, British
band Incognito more than made up for it and Bluey
and the band showed why they have had so much success over so
many years. They were awesome!
It
simply isn’t possible to mention all the musicians
that were on, so if I haven’t mentioned your favourite please
accept my apologies. I need to mention a few special people that
I travelled with and met over the weekend that made it such a
great occasion.
 Spike,
who organises the music in the Bel Air after
the festival ends each night (and plays a mean trumpet!). Simone
and Susan who live in Den Hague and were really enjoying the music
and atmosphere. My fellow travellers and jazz lovers: Paul, Mike,
Lee, Paul and William.
This festival is one of the greatest in the world.
If you are thinking about going, do it. You won’t be disappointed.
I certainly will be there next year.
If you haven’t checked out this year’s photos
on this web site make sure you do before you leave it. See you
in 2004!
harry
Email:aitch123@yahoo.com
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