363 – Mance

This marvelous trio, lead by Junior Mance on piano, with Keter Betts on bass, and Jackie Williams on drums, has consistently been one of the greatest musical highlights of many Floating Jazz Festivals. They always attract a room full of devoted fans, who come night after night, year after year, to enjoy a guaranteed blissful evening of foot-stompin’ jazz, gutsy blues, and beautiful ballads. The incredible 1998 performances captured on this CD were no exception. However, given the unique circumstances at this festival, with many of the greatest musicians in the world spending an entire week together, trapped at sea, on a massive ship full of non-stop music, this recording has some added bonuses that one would never imagine hearing in a lifetime, let alone capturing on tape, to be enjoyed over and over again. Not just one, but three amazing surprise special guests appeared on stage during this recording. First, one of the most melodic and entertaining be-boppers on the planet, Lou Donaldson walked on with his alto saxophone. By the time he got into a chorus of Now’s The Time, the crowd couldn’t believe it when they heard a flurry of unmistakable kick-ass trumpet notes from the side of the stage, and suddenly Arturo Sandoval appeared. As if that wasn’t more pleasure than any mortal soul can possibly endure, a few songs later, the classy, sassy, and full-of-fun, Ms. Etta Jones walked up and sang the way only she can