Haarlem and “All That Jazz”

August 2010 is the 30th anniversary of Haarlem City Jazz.

And we went last evening through the town square (Grote Markt), we went around the crowds which were gathered at the big stage listening to Jazz (Michiel Borstlap Band). We meandered through and around the throngs to our usual Thursday evening Jazz venue “In den Uiver” to listen to Boris van der Lek & Rudd de Vries (saxophone), Nick Vos (guitar), Pablo Nahar (double bass), and Daniel van Dalen (drums). I can only assume these were the people as we had 2 saxs, drums, guitar and double bass.

The music was great, the atmosphere interesting, and some of the evening began to remind me a little of last years Jazz festival.

That is our front row seats with our wine and my water were great.

And we were surrounded by people we had not seen there before, that is the regulars (which we now count ourselves as), were not there. Did they know something that we didn’t? Were they at another venue for something different? Where were they???

Now I know why they were not here with us.

As the evening progress we were surrounded by people. Yes I know I said that before – but between us and the band; and it was a great jazz band, there was only about 6 or so feet. In that space, over a period of about 1/2 an hour there materialized at least 10 tall and some tall & wider dutchmen. Now the women, when they came in they found places to stand against walls. They did not interfere with the view or with the sound. The men – they considered it absolutely okay to walk in and stand in front of the band, with no consideration to any other people, including us who were already seated in front of the band. I mean, come on guys, we came early to get seats, and they just walked in and stood – in front of us and all the other seated people. (serious indignation)

True – we could also stand, and further block those behind us, and still not see or hear any better because we are both vertically challenged here. Best Beloved less so, but a shorty no less here.

We chose to go home at the first break.

The room at “In den Uiver” is small. The fan on the ceiling is by far the smallest ceiling fan I have ever seen, and it must be 50 years old, and it moved the air ever so slowly. And we were behind many taller than us Dutchmen.

The music was great!

Such a pity!

**It reminded me of being surrounded by tall Dutchmen at the 2009 Haarlem Jazz Festival when standing at the outdoor concerts, the best of which was Bowlegs at the Groenmarkt. This time was more difficult because we were seated with nowhere to go**

Tags: Boris van der Lek, Bowlegs, Daniel van Dalen, Dutch, Grote Markt, Haarlem Jazz, In den Uiver, Jazz, Kennemer Duinen, Michiel Borstlap Band, Nick Vos, Pablo Nahar, Rudd de Vries