Jazz is like chocolate. Most everybody appreciates and respects it and recognizes its appeal and there are some people who are totally obsessed and can't live without it.
Rick Weingarten attacks the xylophone with the Summit Jazz Consort as part of the 2008 Vail Jazz Festival.
As we're gearing up for the 14th annual Vail Jazz Festival on Labor Day Weekend, jazz hounds can get their fix - for free, no less - at the Vail Farmers Market every Sunday and also on Thursday evenings at Vail Square in Lionshead.
The Thursday shows in Lionshead run from 6 to 8 p.m. and include the Jeff Hamilton Trio on Aug. 14, Chuchito Valdes Quartet on Aug. 21 and Clayton Brothers Quintet with VJF All-Stars on Aug. 28.
For a sample of what's in store, we caught up with modern jazz icon Trombone Shorty on one recent Thursday.
At Sunday's farmers market, look for the Kathy Morrow Trio on Aug. 17 and the Tony Gulizia Trio on Aug. 24.
The Vail Jazz Foundation - the think tank behind the festival - likes to spread its love through the valley and impart the beauty of jazz on young learners all year, as evidenced in programs like Jazz Goes to School. (You should really click on that. It's adorable).
The Jazz Festival itself is Aug. 29 - Sept. 1 at the Vail Cascade Resort & Spa. For prices and more information, visit vailjazz.org.
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