Dec 7: Jazzing It Up

I was digging some cool music on a warm afternoon this past weekend. You can do the same on the first Sunday of each month all year long. It happens on the Riverwalk's northern banks, an array of jazz bands grooving out the tunes from 11-2 as part of the Sunday Jazz Brunch series. These free outdoor concerts offer a chance to stroll by the water and hang out with the crowd and catch some quality live music. I definitely got into the group playing at one of the riverside gazebos. Called the Jazz Survivors, this quartet features some talented musicians including a top-notch trumpet player from Hungary. Very cool stuff indeed. Music seemed to be all around Fort Lauderdale the past couple of days - and it will continue right through the holiday season.

Some friends were heading to the First Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday night to take in the annual Christmas Pageant extravaganza. I've never been but it's a huge show and, so I'm told, it's impressive. I've heard only very good comments over the years about this production.

Then some other friends this weekend had tickets for the Broward Center for the Performing Arts to hear the Messiah. There's variety for you - from "Angel Eyes" to "Silent Night" to the "Hallelujah Chorus," all performed within the space of a couple of city blocks. I glanced at the Broward Center's schedule for the next few weeks and noticed more jazz coming to town. On Wednesday, December 9, the well-known jazz pianist Dick Hyman plays a tribute concert to Eddie Higgins, another fine jazz pianist who passed away recently in Fort Lauderdale. There's Brazilian music soon too, and great ballet music and dance with the Nutcracker, and the Phantom of the Opera returns to the Broward Center just before the New Year for a three-week run. Lots to do, lots to listen to. Honestly, I'm a sucker for holiday music this time of year. I can't hear too many versions of "I'll Be Home for Christmas" or "Christmastime Is Here" for my taste. Of course, it's even more fun to combine that seasonal listening with holiday light displays and yachts and thousands of your closest personal friends. Later this week I'll blog a little preview of the Winterfest Boat Parade, which will float through downtown Fort Lauderdale next Saturday. I always love this event, a great way to get your holiday on. I hope to make it again next weekend. And if one of the twinkling yachts happens to boom out a recorded rendition of "Christmastime Is Here" as they motor past, that will be just fine with me too.