I wasn’t able to catch a lot of Lethbridge Jazz and Blues Festival due to other commitments, but made a point of stopping by Galt Gardens, Saturday afternoon, June 8 for the Lethbridge Jazz and Blues Festival’s Jazz in the Park.
I arrived near the beginning of a long Latin jam from Montuno West, which included members from Cumako and Bomba.
Everybody soloed a lot. The bassist laid down funky grooves, and the percussionist pounded his djembe drums with steadfast glee.
Velle Weitman and Kootenay Soul blended jazz music with roots music on an excellent set, including songs like the Zutons/Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie,” a beautiful version of Aretha Franklin’s “You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman,” which soared through the park as the rain clouds parted.
Velle Weitman showed off her beautifully heartfelt voice throughout, but busted out her fiddle for a spirited version of “Orange Blossom Special,” which was a great contrast to the horn powered jazz and R and B music of the rest of their set.