The Avalon Ballroom was the venue for the 15th annual Catalina JazzTrax Festival.  Lit in red, white, and blue to commemorate the victims of the Sept 11 tragedy, it was an awesome sight...  especially when we heard the bombing had began. 

<--- Avalon Harbor

June Kuramoto performed her debut solo concert at the Avalon on October 7, 2001.  Her instrument is the koto...  and her sound might be familiar if you've heard Hiroshima.  They backed her for this performance.

I'm absolutely in awe of this very beautiful and talented woman.  I think she was stunned by the overwhelming applause and to see the entire ballroom standing at the end of her performance.  So talented, yet so humble.  What a beautiful human being!  

My dream is to photograph her delicate and expressive hands as she plays. 

Mystery Horn Player.

If you're a jazz lover worth your weight, you'll know him anywhere.

Clue:

Kisses in the Rain

   Click to enlarge

I love to watch this man play!  Tho he's played those songs thousands of times, he never fails to give them his all.  Many artists play music...  some play from the heart....  this man plays from his very soul with passion unrivaled.  

Watching his body contort as he sustained a particularly long note, I was compelled to write the little verse included in the graphic.