Photos/Writer: Rudy Lu

The 40th anniversary Lake George Jazz Fest opened with a bang. The village of Lake George rose to the challenge of providing an attractive outdoor venue by erecting a new tent over the stage to let the crowd and performers enjoy a view of the lake. Rising star pianist Johari Stampley opened with his trio. Bringing his music to life on stage was his mom as saxophonist/bass player D-Erania and drummer Jongkuk Kim.

Johari dynamic work on piano and synthesizer exuded joy and love, both implicitly and explicitly. D-Eraniais an accomplished musician on her own, playing saxophone and bass. She had first picked a bass 11 months earlier, and bowed the bass on stage for the first time here.

Jokuk Kim flew in for this gig fresh from a tour in East Asia matched the Stampley in intensity and passion, jetlag did not appear to be an issue.

The evening featured 5 local bands at venues showing the diversity of music that jazz represents around town. These included:

Ria Curley, Chuck Lamb & the Curley Lamb Quartet-Caldwell Library
Arch Stanton Trio-Gaslight
Dylan Perrillo/Ryan Sullivan-Inn of Lake George

Time and space did not allow me to see:

Nook & Cranny- Barnsider
Scott Hopkins Jazz Trio wsg Erik Khiss-Saluti

This all warmed festival goers for Day 2.

Gallery: