July 3, 2023 - JAZZ FEST: 20th Edition
The week began with the celebration of the life of our dear friend, Charles Jaffe, who we lost in February. It was held at the Record Archive, the fine establishment of this gentleman who I was lucky enough to have pose with me for a picture.
Phil Alexander and I have been friends and business associates for nearly 40 years. I was so excited that he and his wife, Patricia, were able to get a short visit whilst they were traveling from the UK.
This young kid told me years ago that he once asked his dad to drive from Brooklyn to Rochester, New York to look at banjos that were for sale on a mailing list that he read (MINE!). His father told him "are you crazy Rochester..that’s the end of the the Earth".
It was such a lovely time, catching up with him and chatting about guitars, and our Sicilian heritage
Two times during the Jazz Fest, the front sidewalk of Bernunzio Uptown Music was graced by the heartfelt, melodious music of Julia Monica. We have a special surprise concert coming up in September with her newest band
Garvin Rice is trying to absorb everything "banjo"…I think he’s in the right spot!
….until next year…
JAZZ FEST: 20th Edition
July 3rd, 2023
Hello friends,
The 20th edition of the Rochester international jazz festival is now is the rear view mirror….another major success for the team of John Nugent and Mark Iacona. The star studded lineup brought 200,000 people to downtown Rochester, despite threats of rain and smoke and ash from Canadian fires. The sense of enjoyment and rapture with music filled the streets. All is good in “Smugtown"….
This was the first time in several years that I have spent an entire week at work. I have to say it was exhausting, but exhilarating at the same time. Spending time with old friends and listening to music is quite a nice way to make a living. There were some really MIRACULOUS things that happened during Jazz Fest but I need to digest them all before I can set them down in a coherent fashion.
Julie and I have returned to Penn Yan and will spend this week trimming up the gardens and perhaps getting in a little fishing. I wish everyone a wonderful Fourth of July…don’t eat too many hotdogs and remember that… although our summer sale has gently come to a close, we will retain some great in-store deals on new instruments. We still have a few flea-market items left and Sam Snyder has cooked up some "Deals of the Week" that are downright mouthwatering!!!
Sincerely,
John Bernunzio
We have been trying to take a nice, family friendly staff picture, but we keep getting this large cardboard cut out of a 6’ 4" tall banjo player on the end!
Parcel 5 was the venue for Bruce Hornsby and he closed out his show with a dulcimer set! All dulcimers now on sale….get them before the expected price hike.
Tower 280… our old home!
Julie, her brother, Ed, and his wife Tammy pose for me on Parcel 5.