Last night we parked at the Performing Arts Garage and walked down to the SFJazz Center. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band performed in the big auditorium. This was the first time we saw that no member of the band was older than me. The older gentleman in the hat in the photo above, Charlie Gabriel, did not appear. There was a special guest appearance by Cuban singer Eme Alfonso.
The auditorium was nice. We had seats in row F, which was the first row behind the tables. The floor was cleared for dancing. The band played two sets. Eme Alfonso sang during the second set. Clint Maedgen played the tenor sax and sang. Branden Lewis played the trumpet and sang. He had family in the audience. Ronnel Johnson played the trombone. It is sad to see how shy and withdrawn he is.
Kyle Roussel played piano and electric piano. Ben Jaffe, son of Alan, played stand-up bass. Walter Harris played wonderful drums.
My wife, remembering that when we visited Preservation Hall in 2014, there were no drinks, no chairs and no bathrooms, was happy that SFJazz has drinks, chairs and bathrooms. She expected the band to play more traditional jazz, but enjoyed their driving rhythm and funky sound.
On our way home, we met crowds leaving the Outside Lands Festival.
