|
Telluride Jazz FestivalWhere Great Jazz Reaches New HeightsBy Patricia Kutza
Machado talks fondly about the Celebration’s 2000 Guest of Honor, Herbie Mann, who passed away in July 2003: "Herbie was a great friend and I feel honored to have been touched by a being like him. His musical sensibilities had no boundaries." Mann also championed efforts to eradicate the cause of prostate cancer, he adds, the disease that would eventually take Mann’s own life. Machado’s love of affair with the world of music has deep roots. "I originally played percussion and drums. A few years back I ran a small club in Telluride, the Café Kokopelli (where the Shanghai Palace now stands). At that time I featured a largely unknown performer named Kevin Mahogany."
Contact Information:The San Sophia Inn and Condominiums Telluride Jazz Celebration: August 1-3, 2003 The Telluride Society for Jazz The Telluride Wine Festival Images by Patricia Kutza and courtesy of The Telluride Society for Jazz |
|
TM
Anyone
who has ever heard Karrin Allyson sing "Autumn Leaves" would understand my
predicament. Sitting in the dappled sunlit porch of the San Sophia Inn, I am
sipping tea on a Telluride summer afternoon, watching the gondolas silently
carry their precious cargo up the mountain. The Wine Festival I am attending
is full of such wonderful moments, like this morning when I heard women
vintners talk about their love and struggles in the winemaking industry. But
I see the shimmering aspens and my thoughts turn to Karrin’s gorgeous
rendition and I’m wondering how I can come back to this enchanted place in
another month to hear her perform at this year’s 27th annual Telluride Jazz
Celebration.
If you are a
Festival aficionado, then I can think of no better place to hang your hat.
In fact, Telluride crams so many Festivals into one year, it would be a good
idea not only to hang your hat here but also buy a home as well. The month
of June is bursting with events: There are Festivals devoted to Social
Awareness, Bluegrass, Wine and Ballooning. August ushers in the Chamber
Music Festival, Mushrooms, Technology and Film (Labor Day Weekend). There’s
even a contra Festival, the nothing Festival (calendared for July but never
held)!
I have
listened to Karrin on an airplane, on the subway, in my car and while
rollerblading. Listening to her while gulping down large amounts of
Telluride’s fresh mountain air..well that would to very close to perfect. In
fact the stellar lineup this year is in itself breathtaking: Festival
attendees will also be treated to the likes of Kevin Mahogany, Chuchito and
Emilito Valdes, Larry Coryell, and Kenny Garrett to name a few. 
" I think that
this year may be the most exciting festival of all," says the Celebration
executive producer, Paul Machado. In his 13th year as producer, Machado
feels that festivalgoers will really relish the diverse lineup: "Joining
Cuchito Valdes will be Grammy nominee, Jane Bunnett. Kevin Mahogany will
give a tribute to John Hartman. We are also very fortunate to have our 2003
Guest of Honor, Cedar Walton."
This
jazz festival may be one of the very few festivals that starts high and goes
way uphill from there. The majority of venues are held at 8,750ft, right in
the heart of Telluride. A spectacular free gondola ride takes Festival
participants to the 9,500 ft.-based Conference Center in Mountain Village,
where they can dance the night away. 
Hotel and bed and
breakfast inns are located throughout Telluride, so virtually all
accommodations are close to the venues. Just 2 short blocks from the gondola
access, the San Sophia Inn is especially well situated. A friendly and
competent staff plus legendary full course breakfasts make this Inn a
popular haven for festival lovers, be they the Jazz, Mushroom, Wine or
just-love-to-hang-in Telluride variety.