Trombone Shorty closed out the 2016 M-and-T Syracuse Jazzfest last night at Onondaga Community Colelge. The New Orleans musician played with his up-tempo Orleans Avenue and had much of the crowd on its feet call and response singing and enjoying an elaborate light show to go along with the music.
Before Shorty, Guitarist Julian Coryell led the group Eleventh House. He played this number honoring his father, Larry Coryell who had to cancel the jazzfest appearance after complications from a medical procedure.
The younger Coryell joined legendary Alphonse Mouson and the event’s musical leader Randy Brecker in a fusion jazz set.
The main stage also featured Syracuse native Paulie Cerra on sax with the group Groove Legacy.
He says the musicians in the L-A area got together to write original music inspired by grousp such as the Crusaders and the J-B horns.
"We were very purposeful in our writing not to copy things but to be inspired by them and do our own take on this music. You see all these tribute bands. We didn't want to do anything like that, but we really wanted to honor the bands that we love."
He recalls getting a boost in his musician interest listening to Jazzfest founder frank malfitano on a radio show more than 20 years ago...and is playing Syracuse with his group for the first time.
"But to do it on the Jazzfest stage with Frank (Malfitano), I mean Frank is like my dad. As a matter of fact on my solo record I thanked him as my musical father. And to come back here with his love and admiration for us, and to really put out a great show for him, in my hometown, is awesome."
This was the 34th Syracuse Jazzfest. Michael McDonald headlined the event Saturday, which also had a tribute to local music icon Mark Murphy.