Josh Grossman's blog

I woke up at 6 am this morning. On purpose. (For an appearance on The Weather Network.) So I'm still waking up. But I have fond memories of yesterday - day 8 at the festival, already.

Suzie Vinnick and her bandmates (Roly Platt, harmonica; Victor Bateman, bass; Dave Clark, drums) put on a fantastic show at noon on the mainstage. Lots of blues with some rock and folk mixed in, excellent playing, a full audience - a great way to start off the day.

Okay. So. Are we done with the rain? 'Cause yesterday's deluge wasn't so fun. The music was good, though…Here's my report.

Obviously, someone didn't get the memo: there is to be no rain at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival. Happily, some fantastic music carried us through the day despite the elements. Here's how my day went down.

I'm a bit crunched for time this morning - I needed to squeeze every last possible minute out sleep time - so I may be more point form-y today than usual. In short, yesterday was an excellent day at the festival.

Between personal, professional and festival commitments, yesterday was a particularly full day.

The day started with a bittersweet family commitment (see: unveiling). My grandmother passed away last year shortly after her 95th birthday and yesterday's gathering was an opportunity to once again celebrate her life.

Note: This entry will be a bit on the short side - I've got an important family commitment this morning and so my time is a bit limited.

Day three - and our first full day of programming - included emerging artists and veterans, new compositions and standards, long-established groups and new partnerships. And some fantastic weather.

My day yesterday started with the pickup of a contrabass clarinet and a euphonium. Which, frankly, is a sentence I never thought I'd write.

Well that was a pretty good start…

I'll be heading out the door shortly for the first official night of the 2014 TD Toronto Jazz Festival. The adrenaline is flowing; and after having enjoyed today's Mayors' Arts Lunch - with 500 or so other artists, arts workers and arts supporters - I'm feeling particularly pumped about launching into the festival.

I'm not sure how this happens, but every year the festival feels like it's still months away until suddenly, it starts tomorrow.