Jazz Fest, Day 7: Nicole reviews Cyndi Cain

Cyndi Cain is a superstar. I could hear
her voice booming loud and clear for blocks before I reached the
venue. Serving up tunes that had a funky soul vibe, Cain’s pipes were
a force to be reckoned with last night. Her body moved with her
voice, and she waved her hands and bobbed her head with every riff.
And Cain wasn’t the only one moving; the powerhouse vocalist had the
crowd inside the Squeezers stage tent grooving and buzzing.

Unfortunately, Cain’s bandmates did not
match her intensity. Her two background singers moved robotically to
the beat with bored looks on their faces. Even the instrumentalists
who joined her on stage seemed unenthused. With the passion and
confidence that Cain was giving, the nonchalant attitude of her
fellow musicians detracted from the overall vibe. You’ve gotta sell
the gig, friends – even if you’re not in the spotlight.

Still, the show was a quintessential
Jazz Fest good time. Outdoor venues are the heart and soul of the
fest, especially when the weather is nice.

I’m seriously looking forward to
tomorrow. For one, I’ll be hitting up some laid back venues like
Montage and the outdoor stages. But most importantly, I get to see
Ibrahim Electric – a Danish trio known for epic and awesome
weirdness. Can’t wait.