ARCHIVED - Classic George Benson kicks off San Javier

The Jazz Festival at San Javier opened in fine style on Saturday night

Another year, another month of great music ahead for music lovers as the first night of the San Javier Jazz Festival heralded yet another season for this annual festival.
In spite of the economic crisis, the auditorium was packed solid to enjoy a lively and satisfying performance of classic Benson at his best.
It’s easy to forget just how many great tracks this 10 time Grammy Winner artist has produced, but out they came, one flowing into another on Saturday night as we traversed the last 40 years and remembered the moments associated with this timeless music.
Give me the night, Turn your love around, Nothing’s gonna change my love for you, Love x love, and on it went, satisfying and entertaining, barely a seat in the house warm by the end of the evening with most of the audience up on their  feet and shaking their thing.
Benson was preceded by 17 year old Andreas Varady, accompanied by his 12 year old brother on drums and father, a star in the making who has just signed his first record deal with Verve. Competent and confident, he lacked only the experience to deliver with conviction and interact with the audience, but all the elements are in place for a great career as his stage skills develop.
The festival lasts until 5th August, with an appetising spread of great music ahead of us, all at accessible prices and a miraculous feast given the complete absence of financing endured by the Festival Director this year.
Ahead of us lie Freddy Cole, Lucky Peterson, Pink Turtle, Lucky Peterson, Booker T. Jones, Sergio Monroy, Mary Stallings & Eric Reed Trio, Giovanni Mirabassi with Melanie Dahan, Marc Berthoumieux, Triosence, the Spanish Lluís Coloma Septeto, Pegasus, Chicago Blues, Freddy Cole and Sole Giménez with the Sedajazz Big Band in homage to Bebo Valdés.

Click for full programme and ticketing: San Javier Jazz Festival