2:40am - Done with work and just in time, turns out we are hosting a house party. See you all in the morning.

1:35am - Just got a text that the Moon is going off. Maelstrom Trio plus members from Grupo Fantasma and Stebmo jamming down on some New Orleans classics.

12:15am - The Opera House is rocking a good crowd. Saw Joe and Francisco kicking it in the audience. Time to head home and work on the interviews, although I heard that the Maelstrom Trio is bringing in special guests at the Moon for their second set.

11:35pm - On my way to the Sheridan Opera House to listen to Dave Liebman.

11:15pm - Backstage to say goodnight. Simone invited be to see her in NY on June 21st at the Gate.

10:45pm - Simone brings the show to a close with a song she wrote, that addresses her feelings as a child dealing with the absence of her mother as she traveled to perform. Each note climbs into your soul and rips your heart to shreds. The raw beauty and passion is in sharp contrast to her playful nature and warm presence through out the night.

10:10pm - Simone absolutely graces the stage. Her songs are interwoven with stories of her mother and her childhood. At 46 she is full life and confidence. Her personal tribute to her mother takes you on a journey through time.

9:20pm - Out the door with Greg, Louise, Morgan, Travis and company. We are heading to the Palm Theater to see Simone. I'm going to film the first few songs.

8:30pm - The computer is importing all of the shots from today, time to take a disco nap.

8:15pm - Back at the house. I stopped by the merch tent to buy the Grupo album. Whoof, soooooo good.

8:00pm - Duty calls or there is no way in hell I would leave this show! Grupo is killing it right now. Seriously check them out online. Anyhow, after our interview, Simone invited me to film her show tonight at the Palm. I'm getting a camera from RSN that records right off the board, and then I'll be filming from the front with the HD camera.

Alright, I'm going to dance for one more song and then I'm out of here. I'll see later tonight. Check out the site in the morning for some hot video action.

7:45pm - Ok kids, the word of the day is called Cumbia, learn it, know it, do it! From what I can tell Austin, TX has to be pretty freaking cool if this band is from there.

Grupo Fantasma Website.

7:25pm - Wow, you know what happens when you run home to get cleaned up so you can just roll with the party when you get back? Uncontrollable Funk, that's what!! Damn Grupo Fantasma is the shit, I'll say that again the shit. If you like this music, you will like the Pimps Of Joytime, just remember who told you about it.

Photo Courtesy of Greg Aiello

6:42pm - Jovan Jackson has left the stage. Great to have him here in leu of McCoy Tyner. I'm going to make a quick run to the house and then back for Grupo. I'm only going to make a few updates for Grupo, I'm going to be dancing for that one after I get done filming. There will be some more updates this evening beginning again at 8:00pm.

6:37pm - Joe Lovano is world class, that's all I can say. The interview went well and we have some nice background music courtesy of Jovan Jackson and Les McCann. Jovan is rocking his encore right now. I would love to know more about him. Perhaps next time. Grupo Fantasma is coming up next, I'm excited to see them. I feel some booty shaking coming on!

6:05pm - Alright, Joe's set we are just going to run a quick interview backstage, there is no time to go anywhere. Greg Aiello is working the camera for me.

5:50pm - Waited in line for dinner. The Staff eats after our patrons. RT from WWOZ just pulled me on air for a quick interview, had me talking about my time in New Orleans. So twice in one month I've been on WWOZ, I'd say things are going well. So I have to give a shout out to Byrce Nice, check out the Block Party on WWOZ and my boy DJ Concerned. You can hear our radio show, the Soulatomic Radio Show every Thursday from 11 - 2pm on Radio Johnson(http://www.radiojohnson.net).

Alright, time to check out Joe, although Javan Jackson is killing it right now, doing an Eddie Harris cover of "Freedom Jazz Dance", if you ask me, nobody plays that song better than Dr. Lonnie Smith. Sitting in with him of course is the amazing and talented Less McCann. They such a good sound together, it's great to finally be able to see them both live.

Photos Courtesy of Greg Aiello

5:25pm - Getting ready for the interview, what do I ask? Here's what I'm thinking:

1.) What are your influences Joe, as an ice breaker, yes, no, maybe.

2.) What's the legacy of Michael Brecker, what's their friendship? How was the decision made to replace him with Ravi Coltrane?

3.) Is there anyone he hasn't been able to play with yet?

4.) What young musicians is he excited about?

Alright, I think I know what I want to ask. Time to eat.

5:18pm - Just spoke with Joe and he's agreed to an interview after dinner. Great, because I'm starving. Stevie Wonder is blasting on the PA. The celebration is now on auto-pilot and folks are in full on party mode. Damn, what a great decision to move the celebration to this new time in June. I'm loving life right now.

5:08pm - Joe has left the building and wow, it will never be the same. The crowd is on fire, the weather is amazing, the festival is kicking into high gear. I have a feeling that tonight it is going to be off the hook around town. Ok, I need to try and catch up with Joe.

4:57pm - Joe Lovano KILLED IT!! The crowd is on their feet screaming "Encore..Encore" Wow, that last tuned was called "Viva Curuso". Just before that they played Coltrane's "Spiritual" and an amazing tune called "Dawn Of Time".

Joe is visibly excited from the reaction of the crowd. The band is taking the stage again for an encore.

Photo Courtesy of Greg Aiello

4:21pm - Just got back from the Hotel Telluride where I filmed Plum TV's interview of Simone. So much to write about there. I'm going to go back update the blog in a min. Right now Joe Lovano drummer Francisco Mela is settling into an amazing solo. He's truly destined to become one of the greatest jazz drummers ever.

Photo Courtesy of Greg Aiello

4:00pm - Simone is great, I have a crush on her indeed. She almost made me cry during the interview. The spoiler surprise of the interview is...yeah right. You'll have to see it in the morning. You will be surprised.

3:30pm - Simone's on her way down.

3:21pm - Time for sound check and to clear the lobby.

3:15pm - Just heard from the RSN network, they are having camera troubles, I might just get my wish after all. I still have to work out with Cyril's people when and where the interview will go down tomorrow. Its starting to come together nicely.

3:00pm - Talked to Simone's manager the interview will go down at 3:30pm, I really want to get back for Joe Lovano's set at 4:15. Hopefully I can get the second interview done quickly.

2:55pm - I'm at the Hotel...way to early...I thought it was further away. I missed lunch.

2:14pm - The show is over, a long pause of silence, with an honest but brief strong round of applause from the audience. I think some people secretly loved it, but were afraid to go there in public.

Alright, I have to pack up and drive up to the Hotel Telluride to meet up with Plum TV and RSN, we are going to interview Simone, I hope to make it back in time to catch the end of Joe Lovano's set and grab an interview with him.

2:04pm - What was that?! The sun is out and I want to crawl into a hole inside my mind. The contrast between the surrounding beauty and the esoteric sounds on stage is really testing my limits. RT from WWOZ thinks they are just doing it all, "this is something the audience has to want work for".

I think people are getting scared. It's to diaphanous...sheer, it's not good for the daytime. I'll be curious to see how people respond later. Without the bottom you are missing a piece of the puzzle that is Telluride.

1:22pm - A daytime reprise from last night's show at the moon. the punk jazz sounds of the Maelstrom Trio with special guest "Stebmo" have just begun.

1:00pm - Heading into the park with Kathleen, missed the All Stars, the weather is spectacular, albeit the wind is high and makes for extra work setting up cameras, mics, tents, etc..

12:45pm - One of the unsung heroes of the celebration is Lucy, who is our Director of Communications. She keeps the radios working and the conversations flowing. She upgraded by radio status to secret service.

12:15pm - Time to pack up and hit the office and catch the rest of the Telluride Student All Star Jazz Ensemble. Tune into WWOZ and get your groove on.

11:50am - A phone call to Morgan and the Moon will be unlocked in a few minutes. Steve's alright, he has an album out called "Stebmo" that dropped in April. You should really check it out.

11:40am - Steve Moore is at the house drinking some coffee. He's suppose to sit is with Skerik and the Maelstrom Trio today, however his trombone is still locked up at Fly Me To The Moon.

11:15am - I'm working on cleaning out the camera and getting ready for today. I'm hoping to interview Joe Lovano today along with my interview with Simone. Computer is downloading slow, I need to get a move on.

10:30am - I'm being shaken awake, and I hear a voice asking me if I would like coffee, bacon and eggs with blueberry pancakes. Thank god for friends, and boy what a night. We called it quits are around 4:30am.