Sunday’s AJF performances began for me with the mellow song stylings of Grady Tate, who has apparently retired from drumming. He was backed by a fine trio of young musicians, with the pianist and bassist being young Japanese women, a sight rarely “seen on the scene”. Donald Byrd did a little talking, played a little trumpet, and wisely let his band of young musicians stretch out on music representing all facets of his six decade career.

 I was not familiar with the Blind Swiss pianist Moncef Genoud, but was familiar with his bandmates , bassist Hans Glawishnig and drummer E. J. Strickland, and thoroughly enjoyed their performance of mostly Genoud originals.

Another revelation for me was Kendrick Oliver’s New Life Jazz Orchestra. All of the players except saxophonists Jimmy Greene and Julius Tolentino and pianist Shedrick Mitchell, were unknown to me, even Oliver, but their mix of jazz, blues and gospel was joyous and uplifting

The Barry Harris Trio with special guest Charles McPherson closed the evening playing classics from the Bebop era.