rogler

I went to Saturday's show and it was one of the best I've seen at Saratoga. We always get seats inside but set up camp (chairs and cooler near the gazebo. Here is my 2 bits: Jonathan Batiste came out playing a "mouth piano". He was OK with it but I really wanted him to sit down and play the piano. He finally did after a couple songs and played a wonderful blues tune. I left half way into his set and went to the gazebo to see Andrea Tierra. Couldn't really get into her until the band let loose on the last song. Went back to the amphitheather to see Conrad Herwig's band and was blown away! Some great arrangements and amazing band. Went back to the gazebo to see Jonathan Batiste's encore set. He started playing the same songs with that mouth piano again. Was very dissapointed until he started improvising on the "Entertainer". Went to see some of Ryan Shaw and had enough after one song. I wanted to see Maurice Brown back at the Gazebo but had a rain delay. By the time he started, the Saxaphone Summit was blowing so I had to run back. They were the best set of the whole day. Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman, Ravi Coltrane, Bill O'Connell, Billy Hart and Cecil McBee! I could of left then and would of been satisfied with the day. But I had to stay for RTF. So, I went back to the Gazebo and another rain delay to see Jenny Scheinman. It was nice but she shoul of been the opening act instead of the closer. So I went back to the amphitheater to see Chris Botti"s last song. I was glad that was all I saw. Dee Dee Bridgewater was OK but probably would of left if it wasn't for RTF. RTF started out great with the electric band. Then they went acoustic and had some amazing solo's but then it was suddenly over and no encore, so I wasn't completely fulfilled with them.