Bayfield was one of our go-to places for several years after we moved to London. We discovered Bayfield and the Little Inn of Bayfield as attendees at chef dinner/wine tasting events. The weekend stay was a treat – relaxing.
This town just vibrates “summer”. The streets crawl with visitors enjoying the sun, the patios, just steps to the lake. Numerous restaurants and bars line the main street. And businesses like the Village Bookshop grace the side streets. This shop reflects decades of dedication to the classic book business – welcoming to casual browsers and bibliophiles alike – defying the trend to online blogs and podcasts.
So why a visit on a hot summer day when weather forecasts threatened thunderstorms and even tornadoes?
The Village Bookshop had announced an event on Facebook. The plan was to host a Jazz Daze performance in the garden behind the store. Their promotion introduced the quartet performers. Two of them I knew. The percussionist was a Londoner and the husband of a creative writing instructor from Western. His wife had shared the event posting with me. I had been introduced to the percussionist’s obsession for music from jazz to classical. Their London home chock-a-block with musical instruments and music collections. The trumpet player we had heard several times in more classical venues, playing classical music. He performed a concert in a Baptist church accompanied by the piano and another in a United church joined by an organist. The piano and the organ were played by the same man who happens to be my piano coach.
This was not an event to miss. We decided that it would be well worth the 1 ½ hours drive even if we had to take refuge from rain. My husband and I arrived in Bayfield to the news that the performance was now indoors in the lounge at the Little Inn in deference to the weather forecast. (Of course, not a drop of rain fell.)
The performers were just warming up as we coasted in. Let me introduce all the musicians.
“Jazz Daze” is a quartet consisting of the trumpet (Ken Baldwin), the double bass (Steve Harris), percussion (Paul Adams) and keyboard (David Lee).
Paul Adams handled introductions and entertained the attendees with an explanation of the musical roots of the Bossa Nova. Clearly passionate about the art of drumming in jazz Paul demonstrated the use of brushes as well as sticks. For us, new to the brushes, it was interesting to hear the unique, jazzy sound. Paul also spoke about his custom Ayotte snare drum. Ken commented on the difference between the trumpet and the fugelhorn and showed the mutes he used.
No programs but Paul very generously forwarded me a list of pieces performed so that I could share. The extensive selection was familiar to many in the audience – among the songs were Summertime, Fly me to the Moon, Girl from Ipanema, I Loves you Porgy, Cheek to Cheek, Moon River, Song for my Father. All had been performed in years gone by by great musicians, singers as well as instrumentalists. An afternoon immersed in a jazz legacy.
The atmosphere was casual, intimate. Locals and visitors wandered in enticed by the resonating tones – and stayed. They filled the few seats, other lining the walls. A little wine and beer. Laughter, conversation and applause.
The musicians performed two lengthy sets. We bid them adieu and headed back to London. Not as fortunate as Bayfield with the weather, London had torrential rain the whole afternoon and, further east, Ayr was hit by a tornado.
