Cape Region is all jazzed up

Mindi Abair brings a lot of energy when performing on stage. She shared the stage with guitarist Jay Gore Oct. 19 at the 2013 Rehoboth Beach Jazz All Stars event. BY NICK ROTH

October 19, 2013

Sheila E. takes her turn at center stage during the Rehoboth Beach Jazz All Stars show Oct. 19. BY NICK ROTH

Pete Escovedo, Sheila E.'s father, plays the bongos during his daughter's performance Oct. 19 at the all stars show. BY NICK ROTH

Sheila E. tries to get the crowd going. BY NICK ROTH

Sheila E. and her father Pete Escovedo take a bow after their performance Oct. 19. BY NICK ROTH

Mindi Abair performs the first of her songs she heard on the radio. BY NICK ROTH

Steve Cole, left, and Nick Colionne play together early in the all stars show. BY NICK ROTH

Steve Cole, left, and Nick Colionne shared the stage together for an all-star performance. BY NICK ROTH

The Cape Region was alive with the sounds of jazz music this past weekend, as the 24th annual Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival rolled into town.

Jazz fans from all over the country packed into Cape Henlopen High School, Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, churches and restaurants to take in dozens of shows Oct. 16-20.

An all-star group of musicians collaborated Saturday afternoon at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center for the Jazz Meets James show. The performance celebrated the music of the legendary James Brown.

Early in the show, the fire alarm was tripped at the convention center, causing the sound system to cut out. But the show went on, as the musicians took the party into the aisles until power was restored.

Later in the night, many of the same musicians joined forces again for the 2013 Rehoboth Beach All Stars show at the convention center. Among those featured were Mindi Abair and Sheila E.

On Friday night, a sold-out crowd at Cape Henlopen High School's theater was treated to a first in the jazz world. Swiss pianist Alex Bugnon and New York saxophonist performed together for the first ever time on stage.

The show's opener was Japanese jazz pianist veteran Keiko Matsui, who has released 25 albums in her career. Matsui took a moment before many songs to share what inspired her to write it.

Will Downing delighted a packed Cape High Oct. 19 with his soulful, baritone voice.