By: Yorg
The weather forecast for the Al Di Meola concert at Confederation Park’s Main Stage initially seemed promising, with only a slight chance of rain. However, as photographers gathered in front of the stage, a drizzle began. It quickly intensified into a torrential downpour that lasted throughout Di Meola’s performance.
This year’s Ottawa Jazz Fest has faced its share of rainy weather, but nothing compared to the downpour on Wednesday night. Fans were thrilled to see Di Meola in top form, especially after he suffered a heart attack on stage during a European tour just a year ago.
Al Di Meola, whose illustrious career began in the 1970s with the jazz fusion group Return to Forever, has made a significant impact on the jazz world. The group won a Grammy in 1976 for Best Jazz Performance. Over the years, the 69-year-old New Jersey native has released 26 solo albums.
Despite the inclement weather, which left puddles on the stage despite the roadies’ efforts to protect it with tarps, Di Meola delivered a stellar performance. Although the concert was cut short, due to the rainy conditions, with no encores and about half an hour less than planned, his musical brilliance shone through, delighting the audience with selections from his vast and varied repertoire.
After Di Meola’s concert, we headed towards City Hall to catch Ottawa’s own 11-piece band, The Commotions, under the tent of the OLG Stage. This fantastic local band kept the crowd entertained with their vibrant and versatile music. Make sure to catch them live next time they perform in the area. Rain or shine, sunny or cloudy, hot or cold, the Ottawa Jazz Fest is always an adventure. We had a fantastic time last night and are looking forward to more great concerts before the festival wraps up on Sunday, June 30th. Hope to see you there!
