The 2022 San Diego Jazz Fest & Swing Extravaganzawas held at the Town & Country Hotel over the Thanksgiving weekend after several years of “inactive” status. Attendees from all over the world gathered to enjoy five days of traditional jazz and all the camaraderie that accompanies it. The first guest we met there Wednesday afternoon was from Australia and planned to spend several weeks in the San Diego area before going back to Brisbane!
Lots of friends awaited the start of the festival and had to make their way through the recently renovated hotel grounds. The original single story cottages were removed to be replaced by a sleek front lobby and bar with access to several on-site restaurants and a large pool. The rooms in the existing buildings were beautifully remodeled and updated. Once in the convention area itself, the layouts were the same so the venues were easy to find. The very large main ballroom and four medium-sized ones were utilized daily along with a smaller venue to showcase the solo pianists.
Wednesday night kicked-off with alternating sets from local bands High Society Jazz Band and Sue Palmer and her Motel Swing Orchestra. High Society led by Larry Okmin (cl) with Rick Evans (tp), Billy Hawkins (tb), Jay Berman (p), Mike Masessa (dr) and Edward La Barbara (bs) filling in for band regular Joe Meza. Janet Hammer provide vocal accompaniment. Rick’s pocket
