Saxaphones, Summer and Slow Food . - An Evening at the Pomigliano Jazz Festival

Kenny Garrett

Summer is  full of music festivals.  I mean, hanging outside listening to your favorite band is a perfect way to spend the long steamy evenings that accompany the season.  This year, my curious eye caught the schedule for the Pomigliano Jazz Festival, this year in it's 14th edition.  This time my schedule and the dates of the festival matched up - I was able to attend the Kenny Garrett Quintet concert scheduled for the 16th of July in a small town in Cimitile (Na).  The venue was not a stadium or auditorium. Oh, no.  But nestled on the grounds of the town's Basiliche Paleocristiane, a complex with about 13 building/churches dating back to the 5th century. 

 Basiliche Paleocristiane, Cimitile (Na)

  I arrived early ish for a stroll around the grounds and to take a look at some of the stands sponsored by Note di Gusto and  Slow Food Vesuvio. 

First stop - Madrenatura Agricultura Biologicaàs booth.  Even though the sun was setting, it was hard not to notice the sensational colors and quality of the vegetables on display. 

 Note to self, stop by to pick up a few tomatoes after the concert.

Second stop - Chef Ilaria Aulicino of Da Nini in Bacoli (Na).  She was the chef of the evening, and for jazz lovers like me who wanted a bite to eat before the show began, she had two dishes to share.

Fresco Baccala' with cod, black olives, yogurt, cherry tomatoes, capers and green pepper.

Yogoalbicocca -  starring apricots from Mt Vesuvius, almond milk and yogurt.

Third stop -A self tour of the Basilica.  Amazed at the history around me.  Curious about the dates of the frescoes and origins of the symbols and artifacts located throughout the complex.  

Note to self- come back for a guided tour., maybe in the fall when it is a little cooler.

Fourth stop - My seat.  Row C, seat 18.  It was there that I spent the next two hours along with a few   hundred jazz fans jammin to Kenny Garrett and his quintet.

 So much summer goodness packed in one evening.  Looking forward to next year's program. 
Oh, and I did purchase a kilo ish of tomatoes.  Spaghetti anyone?