Moving straight ahead
Jazz Festival organizer already planning for next year
Even the weather co-operated for this year’s Cape Breton Jazz Festival, says organizer Carl Getto.
While the majority of events were located safely inside the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion, The Booty Boppin’ Brass Band was scheduled to play on Charlotte Street last Friday night for the free outdoor show. However, the threat of thunderstorms had Getto worried that the concert would have to be cancelled, even though the musicians had travelled from Halifax.
“About a half-hour before, the skies turned blue and we went ahead with the event,” said Getto. “There’s no guarantees with the weather in Cape Breton but everything worked out.”
Getto says concert turnout this year was better than ever and that the festival is continuing to grow.
“We’re starting to plan now for next year,” said Getto. “We have to start planning now so there’s less to worry about later on.”
One of the highlights of this year’s festival was the final concert featuring Juno awardwinning saxophonist Kirk MacDonald, formerly of New Waterford.
Getto says MacDonald has inspired him to try to bring some more top players from Toronto down here for next year’s event. But he’s also not discounting more local content as well.
“The local show we had featuring all local players was very popular,” he said. “It brought out a lot of friends and families.”
But just as importantly, it also brings out musicians who might not normally get a chance to play even though they may be very capable.
“The players really appreciate having the opportunity to play.”