The 16th annual Vail Jazz Party, currently being held at the Lionshead Marriott kicked off its first full day with a varied and wide-ranging program. The daytime session, held in an outdoor tent in the town square, opened with a spirited set by the Vail Jazz All-Stars, a talented group of high school aged instrumentalists. While many of these students are still learning elements of the jazz language, there were still enticing moments in their performances, notably an arco bass solo by Zach Ostroff on "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" and trumpet solos by Keefe Martin, Nico Segal and Josh Shpak on "Moanin'" which all reflected elements of the original trumpet solo by Lee Morgan.
Ann Hampton Callaway was up next for a superb set featuring Ted Rosenthal (piano), Martin Wind (bass) and Ernie Adams (drums). The vocalist charmed the crowd with her quick-witted stage patter and performed stunning versions of the standards "Skylark", "Come Rain Or Come Shine" and "Over The Raimnbow". As an encore, she improvised a new song about Vail Jazz's festival founder Howard Stone's injured foot. Callaway is a revelation as a live performer--one completely opposite of the reserved persona of her studio recordings. There's a new CD coming out of a live Callaway performance, and I suspect it will create a whole new core of Callaway fans.
The Jeff Hamilton Trio with guest trumpeter Terell Stafford was another highlight with energetic drumming by the leader, ear-stretching solos by pianist Tamir Hendelman, and superb solo and ensemble playing by the always excellent bassist Christoph Luty. Stafford can thrill the soul with impassioned blowing, and there was plenty of that to be heard on "Blues For Stephanie", but Stafford is also a master balladeer, and his nuanced interpretation of "We'll Be Together Again" was the high point of the set.
The evening session opened with a all-too short solo piano set by Hendelman. The piano, a custom-built Ravenscroft with absolutely gorgeous tone, is being featured throughout the festival and Hendelman made the instrument sing in a beautiful reinterpretation of Ravel's "Le Tombeau du Couperin".
Callaway was back for a stunning multi-media portrait of Ella Fitzgerald. Although I cannot pretend to be an impartial critic of this presentation (I supplied all of the video clips and acted as unofficial historical advisor), I can tell you that Callaway's musical performances were remarkable. "Body and Soul" performed primarily as a duet with John Clayton, featured inventive turns on the melody by Callaway and a gorgeous solo played on the bass once owned by Ella's ex-husband, Ray Brown. Byron Stripling played Louis Armstrong to Callaway's Ella in a rollicking version of "They Can't Take That Away From Me", and the tribute was capped with a heartfelt version of "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye".
The hearty jazz fans who stayed for the 11:00 set were treated to an energetic set by the Clayton Brothers Quintet. Jeff Clayton's soulful alto enlivened his original "Wild Man" and Terell Stafford shone on the John Clayton-penned "Terell's Dance". After a touching version of Stevie Wonder's "They Won't Go When I Go", the band launched into the insanely fast "Runway" with Lewis Nash fueling the group from the drums and Bill Cunliffe providing a brilliant piano solo.
The Vail Jazz Party continues through Labor Day. Information at www.vailjazz.org
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