The 46^th Monterey Jazz Festival delivered many surprises as hot weather and sizzling music filled the Monterey Fairgrounds for three days. In, out and around clave, this year's fesitval hosted three diverse and great pianists and their ensembles: the Michel Camilo Trio, Eddie Palmieri and La Perfect II and the Omar Sosa Quintet.

Michel Camilo

Domincan-born Michel Camilo and his trio performed at two stages for opening night. Accompanied by Horacio 'El Negro' Hernandez on drums and Charles Flores on bass, both from Cuba, Camilo had tremendous chemistry with them both. Camilo jump-started the set with 'From Within', the suite he played in the film 'Calle 54'. The sheer force of this piece and those that followed could supply California with energy for the duration of time. Camilo's solos were lush and inviting. Hernandez played hard, intense drums solos that had the crowd cheering. Flores on bass, with lightening-fast hands, mesmerized all.

The trio's later set at the indoor Nightclub stage featured tunes from Camilo's latest release 'Live from the BlueNote'. The tunes were a bit more introspective but the energy was tantamount to the earlier performance. To hear Camilo play live is truly, a religious experience. That night, all who were present were converts, old and new, to the genius of Camilo's music.

Eddie Palmieri

Maestro Eddie Palmieri y la Perfecta II was a festival surprise as scheduled Cuban singer Issac Delgado did not arrive due to visa problems (the second time this year). There were continued shouts of 'Eddie' from the audience throughout the set. Jimmy Bosch and Doug Beavers swung on trombones as the heat began to pick up while Palmieri played. With tunes from his recent Concord release, 'Ritmo Caliente', and standards like 'Lázaro Y Su Micófono', Palmieri peered from his end of the stage at the band, directing with visual cues and always listening. Herman Olivera rocked on vocals, backed by Nelson Gonzalez on tres and Karen Johnson on flute. With the percussion of Johnny Rodriguez, José Claussell on timbales, George Delgado on congas and Joe Santiago on bass, the salsa groove onstage and off proved infectious. Palmieri is a living legend and his guest appearance at the festival raised the bar yet another notch in regards to musicianship and talent.

Omar Sosa

Saturday night brought the Omar Sosa Quintet to the outdoor Garden Stage. As the sound check finished and the group retreated backstage, the audience clapped, demanding they begin. Out came Cuban-born Sosa in his flowing, white robes, took to the stage and placed a candle on the piano to remember the Ancestors. As Sosa explained at a panel the next day, he is a vessel that receives the music and inspiration from the Spirit. He 'lets the Spirit talk' and in this way communicates his music and is able to feel satisfied with what he plays.

And the Spirit was doing a lot of talking that night. Driven by the percussion of Gustavo Ovalles, on congas, batas, drums and the birambao, the sweet sax solos of Luis Depestre, the saltry contralto voice of Marta Galarraga and the talking bass of Jeff Brennan, the four fused repeatedly with Sosa . He continues to push the envelope and each performance reveals surprises. Sosa's energy is boundless and with this quintet it appears that the Spirits are with them and smiling from above.

To be able to hear three such diverse pianists in one place is something that could only happen at a festival such as the Monterey Jazz Festival. Kudos to director Tim Jackson and all the staff and crew that put together a seamless weekend of great music with their hard work and planning. We all look forward to next year!

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Review and photos ©2003 by Julia Sewell
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