Steamy Night Doesn't Deter Jazz Lovers

It was a hot steamy night to open up the 2010 Sweet Sounds Jazz Festival, but that did not deter crowds of locals from coming out to enjoy the tunes and support local businesses.  The festival, sponsored by the Downtown Westfield Corporation, is held every Tuesday night from 7-9 during the months of July and August.

Headlining the event  was Filthy Rich & the Poor Boys, a lively band playing traditional blues tunes on the northside train station lawn.  The crowd was loving their classic blues sounds that seemed to awaken everyone on the hot, sleepy night.  In between frequent much needed water breaks, the band played some songs that everyone could sing along to, such as  "When a Man loves a Woman".

The Karl Latham band was playing just down the street on the corner of North Ave and East Broad Street.  You could hear this 4-piece jazz ensemble's melodic flute from around the corner, drawing their  very own following for a smooth jazz sound.  The Full Count Big Band, a local band from the New Jersey Workshop for the Arts on East Broad Street, filled the sidewalks in front of Banana Republic.  This 18 piece band had an eclectic sound, with songs ranging from the swing era to classic sing-alongs such as "New York, New York" .

Another highlight of the night was Karen Rodriguez's latin quintet on the lawn of the First Baptist Church.  Their bossa nova sound was quite fitting in the heat, evoking a island-cuban feel on the lawn.  Crowd favorites were "Guarija Para Los Pollos" and a rendition of "This Masquerade".

Although the outside dining tables were not occupied because of the heat wave,  patrons made the best of the night with ice cream or gelato in hand in order to enjoy the sweet sounds.  It was a successful, yet steamy night to kickoff this summer's Tuesday jazz nights.