Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music

Director and conductor of the Festival, Marin Alsop, has built a remarkable orchestra that comes together for two weeks every summer to showcase contemporary composers and new music. We are lucky to be ushers at this 52nd annual event that is internationally known for innovative programming and adventurous sound. Time For Three, "the world's first classically-trained garage band," presented a solo recital tonight that still has me reeling, and is challenging to describe. The program notes give you a hint: "a charismatic ensemble with a reputation for limitless enthusiasm and no musical boundaries." The energy that explodes from these three guys is astonishing. I have rarely seen musicians having so much fun together and with their audience. Bach to the Beatles doesn't even cover it: they play both of them together and then some. Check out this NPR video for a piece dedicated to Bela Fleck, who was last night's guest artist (another fabulous concert). All of this right here. This Festival is amazing!