Work conspired to keep me away from the jazz fest for the first couple of hours tonight, so I didn't get to see everything that I wanted to, but I did get a decent sampling, so I can faithfully report on a handful of shows tonight.

East Avenue was blocked off to make room for a second free stage upon which Chris Berry & Panjea were performing some "world beat" influenced pop. Berry is apparently a California kid who moved to Africa at the age of 18 to gain his musical education from African masters. His band's sound most reminds me of Paul Simon during his "Graceland" and "Rhythm of the Saints." He has the crowd on East Ave. hopping, but, after hanging out with friends Stephanie and Will for a little while, I decided to head over to the big tent for something more "jazzy."

While Panjea gathers as many worldwide influences together as possible, the Red Stick Ramblers are deeply rooted in a local tradition, performing a style they call "Cajun gypsy jazz." They were highly entertaining belting out old Cajun tunes, some Texas two-step, and some original music that I rather enjoyed.

I only stayed for about half of the set as I headed back to East Ave to catch the first couple of songs by Soulive, mentioned here recently by cousin Art. They seem to be a part of the growing jazz-influenced jam band scene. From where I stood, way back in the (by this time) jam-packed intersection of East and Chesnut, they sounded great. I only got a taste, just enough to justify checking them out more thoroughly later, because I was anxious to get in line for the 10PM Kilbourn show.

[A quick suggestion for festival organizers: move the Gibbs street stage about 10 yards north. Just move it enough so that the band playing on East Ave isn't blaring away at the musicians in the back row of the Gibbs St. stage. As I made my way toward Kilbourn Hall, Soulive began cranking out a heavy bass groove just as to the poor Eastman students on the Gibbs St. stage were about to start their set.]

Every year there is an act or a musician at the festival that totally stands apart with their musicianship and professionalism. These bands set a standard so high that you begin questioning your highly favorable opinions of previous acts. Last year, it was Willem Breuker, the year before was Wessell Anderson, this year is was e.s.t.

And I thought the Dutch guys were tight. The music and interplay of e.s.t. was so solid and locked in, it's like they were all playing with one brain. After the show, some Eastman student was gushing about the rhythms and the break-beats. I'm not musically qualified to know what he was talking about, but I do know that as locked-in as this bands was, they were treading some seriously under-explored territory. The piano at times sounded Keith-Jarrett-at-Köln-ish, then suddenly a swirl of bass and drums would sweep up the piano into some of the deepest grooves of the festival. John Nugent in announcing the band said that he is speechless after every e.s.t. performance he sees. I think I understand: these guys defy description

I wanted to head over to Crowne Plaza tonight, but I think I'm starting to catch a head cold, so I put that off for one more night in favor of some blogging and sleep. Only one more night!

Saturday night picks:

• Dicky Betts
• Kenny Garrett