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October 14 2007 Salisbury Post Article

Blues and Jazz Festival brings the music to town

By Lee Ann Sides Garrett

Salisbury Post

Children bobbed their heads and parents tapped their feet. Hundreds gathered at the corner of Fisher and Church streets Saturday for an evening of blues and jazz. The ninth annual Blues and Jazz Festival went from noon to 11 p.m.

The event, put on by the Rowan Blues and Jazz Society, began with young talent, such as the Knox Middle School Jazz Band and Triad Youth Jazz Society, then progressed to established talent from all over the area.

Those attending sat on lawn chairs they'd brought or hay bales set out around the parking lot. Or they stood soaking up the relaxed atmosphere and enjoying food such as turkey legs and Caribbean cuisine. The event brought out listeners of all ages, from children to adults, some with pets.

"Jazzy Strings," performed by the Mountain Marionettes, delighted young and old alike. The marionettes built and operated by Susan VanderWheghe performed to Dixieland, Ragtime and Big Band music.

"I love bringing this music to kids," VanderWheghe said.

As the afternoon turned into evening, the crowd became larger in anticipation of performers including Joe Robinson and Salisbury's own Bob Paolino.

Special guest emcee and storyteller Mitch Capel -- also known as Gran'daddy Junebug -- kept the audience entertained with stories and jokes between sets.

Salisbury resident Jim Schaeffer said he and his wife attended just to see what was going on. They saw the flyer for the event in a restaurant and went straight to it.

"This is great," said Schaeffer. "I love jazz. I listen to it all the time on my computer."

Guest performer Charlene Williams joined Joe Robinson on stage performing "All of Me" and had Shirahba Rasheed swaying in her chair. She drove from Charlotte for the event.

"I listen to jazz everyday," Rasheed says. "These are some great performers. I'm impressed.

After dark, listeners enjoyed performances by the Matt Walsh Band featuring Matt Hill with Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin as a special guest. Zachary Smith and the Dixie Power Trio ended the event with the sounds of Dixieland/rock and roll.