Vienne Jazz Festival 7th July 2009

After another day of hot sun and sudden downpours we were again at the main stage for the evening shows. The weather took a turn for the worse just as the first show started.

Photographer Sophie La Roux shows off her new waterproof camera!

The show soon banished any thoughts of rain or cold winds as Kevin Mahogany and his Kansas City Revue hit the stage. With a great band featuring the 'Godfathers of Groove', Red Holloway on Sax, Grant Green Jnr on guitar, Reuben Wilson on Hammond, Bernard Purdie on drums and Kathy Kosina on lead and backing vocals.

This was a slick show of Kansas City blues and soul and Red Holloway stole the show with his super playing and the lead voclas on the final song - great entertainment on a cold wet night.

Next on stage was Barbara Hendricks - singing the blues. Accompanied by Magnus Lindgren and his terrific band, Hendricks ran through the great american blues songbook in fine style.

The midnight show at the club featured on of my favourite artists from Perugia 2 years ago, Esparenza Spalding. She played her set that night in a beautiful renaissance church and played a quiet laid back set of her own tunes. Since then she has changed style considerably and tonights show was full of bite and energy. Her songs have gained a sharp cutting edge and her bass playing is much more agressive and hard hitting. The show went down a storm and I'm sure she has won over a whole new set of fans after her performance here.

Tonight we have four vocalists to look forward to - Dianne Reeves. Lizz Wright, Angelique Kidjo and Simone, (Nina Simone's daughter) who the girls are singing a tribute to.