World-renown and respected jazz musicians served a "champagne-and caviar" celebration to music lovers for three days straight during last weekend’s Central PA Friends of Jazz 20th Annual Mellon Jazz Festival. The Friends of Jazz, headed by Dave Lazorcik, Executive Director, and Steve Patton, Chairman of the Music Committee, aided by the generous funding of Mellon Bank, deserve all the back-patting they received and more for their ability to coordinate this event with such organization and panache. Events centered at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Harrisburg, with the main concerts occurring in the six-chandeliered ballroom. Post-concert, both Friday and Saturday nights, there was a "JazzWalk" from 10 p.m. – 2 a.m., featuring lesser-known artists, at other Harrisburg nightspots, all within walking distance of the Market Square location.

Friday’s 8 p.m. headliner was a Boston-based performer named Rebecca Parris. Dressed in basic black, with gold jewelry accents, Ms. Parris commanded the stage the moment she appeared. Her rendition of "You Don’t Know What Love Is" was nothing short of great, and she showed her well-honed scatting abilities with "Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me." She ended with a swinging "Old Black Magic" that bewitched the audience right into her palm and garnered a well-deserved standing ovation. Of course, one cannot ignore the accomplished musicians in Ms. Parris’ quartet. Steve Rudolph, on piano, enhanced her performance with his beautiful accompaniment. It is no wonder Mr. Rudoph’s name comes up whenever the word "music" is mentioned in this area.

At 9:30 p.m., The Roy Hargrove Quintet exploded onto the stage with a style that is said to mix Afro-Cuban rhythms with neo-bop. Whatever you call it, he and his band have it — that is to say, an outstanding improvisation talent that produces a very exciting ‘WOW.’ And, beyond that, Mr. Hargrove exudes cool!

For suburbanites that think they should avoid the city at night or those who think Harrisburg-ers roll up the sidewalks after everyone leaves the Capitol building, it was great to see folks shuffling around from venue to venue to catch a local act. Imagine a place like The Spot (known for their great hot dogs with chili) featuring a jazz band! If you made it down to The Firehouse, you were able to catch the energetic Andy Roberts Trio with the very personable Mr. Roberts.

Webster’s Dictionary lists "origin unknown" for the word "jazz." Someone once told me it derived from the French word "jaser," meaning "to chatter" which seems logical. Regardless, due to the spontaneous, improvisational individuality inherent to the genre, many jazz enthusiasts like to simply talk about it. With this in mind, The Central PA Friends of Jazz set up several free clinics on Saturday with the performing musicians.

Catching up with Rebecca Parris in the Hilton Plaza Grill, one would have heard her advice to vocalists on technique and basic no-nonsense care for body and mind. She also spoke about respecting the songwriter and his music before you "take it where you want to." She emphasized that you must give this respect because this is the "music that you owe your life to …" Other performers were giving clinics elsewhere in the hotel on woodwinds and brass, bass, piano, guitar, and drums.

Saturday’s events continued with free concerts of the Youth All-Stars directed by the talented Ron Waters and an exciting and well-respected group The Airmen of Note, followed by a jam session at the Hilton’s Plaza.

Saturday’s concerts started at 6:45 p.m. with the Jo Belle Quintet. A pretty woman with a relaxed, smooth delivery and a lovely voice, Jo Belle sang several standards with great style and rhythm and ended with a memorable rendition of "Angel Eyes." The Joe Chambers Quartet followed to thrill jazz lovers at 8 p.m. and the revered McCoy Tyner was dessert.

During Saturday night’s JazzWalk, one could have seen the male vocalist, JD Walter, a block away at the new Crowne Plaza Hotel. Mr. Walter has an interesting appearance, a smooth delivery, a very nice voice, and scats beautifully — regarding the audience once in a while would be an added plus.

Sunday’s brunch performance in the Hilton Ballroom was a personal highlight. The combination of Houston Person on saxophone and Etta Jones as vocalist was intoxicating, and sensual. Mr. Person’s playing is like the best chocolate, smooth, sweet, and very good for the soul. Ms. Jones’s voice is rich and warm, like a down comforter on a chilly night, but it is her phrasing, especially noticeable in "Don’t Go to Strangers" and "What a Wonderful World" that is so inspiring. She closed with a heartfelt "I’ll Be Seeing You" and your thought might have been, "I’m going to run outside and buy her CD!" but when you got there — all gone!

Another highlight of the festival was Jazz in the Sanctuary at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on Front Street. This vesper service featured Clyde Lucas on drums, Brad Goode on trumpet, Michael Foranchek on bass, Ted Rosenthal on piano, and the wonderfully, multi-talented Ira Sullivan on trumpet and soprano saxophone. Surrounded by the decorative beauty of cobblestone, stained glass, and wood, and in complete spontaneity, these skilled musicians improvised between the pastor’s vespers of "A Closer Walk with God." Ira Sullivan (a keynote and integral player of this festival) led an especially moving rendition of the well-known Beethoven hymn, "Ode to Joy."

Definitely, the most unusual act of the festival was Hip Pickles. They remind us of the important role of drumming and percussion in a band. They have wonderful teamwork with their unique blend of the basic drum set, Latin, and World Percussion styles, incorporating the interesting, strong sounds of the dumbeck and djembé. They are real showmen, including choreography, vocals, and audience participation. They were rousing and exciting and great for the entire family.

The Eddie Allen Quintet followed Hip Pickles. An excellent trumpeter, Allen leads a very tight group here. Cindy Blackman on drums is his star and between songs he jokes about her audience appeal. Ms. Blackman is, in one word, amazing and the way she plays the drums make you think you might investigate drumming as a new aerobic exercise alternative, but, hold off — maybe her video will be out next year! She is one talent not to be missed and beyond that — she is simply beautiful.

The JazzTimes Superband was the last main act and what a wonderful finale. JazzTimes, "America’s Jazz Magazine" put together this group and what a dynamic and commanding combination!

Well, all one can advise if you missed this year’s celebration is to get in the groove and don’t miss the non-stop party next year. For information on upcoming events, contact the Central PA Friends of Jazz by calling 540-1010 or check out their website at pajazz.org.