Pew Pew Pew

The Kensington Jazz Festival is a 3-year-old festival focusing on local musicians. Though most of the acts are typically smaller bands, I was down in the Market for a big-band show on Saturday. A larger stage was set up in the back-yard of the building housing El Gordo Empanada. The last time I was back here a giant art installation of a dragon made up of junk metal dominated the space.

This time it was a packed venue full of first-time jazz attendees. Why the cross-over appeal? A local indie video-game company recently scored a hit with Cuphead: a gun-and-run game drawn in 30s cartoon style and featuring an original score of big-band jazz number. So at least half the audience were gamers excited to hear the actual musicians. It was exciting for them too; outside of the recording studio, this was their first (and likely only) live show. I have heard a few snippets online but this was my first exposure. Overall, it was a good but exhausting set. The majority of the numbers were uptempo big-band swing. If I may use a racy analogy: it was all climax and very little foreplay. One highlight was Alana Bridgewater as Mr. King Dice.