Buttonwood Buzz

The Buttonwood Tree was a buzz Sunday with a full day of art music and food. Some arrived in time for the delicious lunch prepared by Food Not Bombs and left after the last note was played, some nine hours later! FAITH McCANN described her art exhibit, "Dreaming" and mingled with patrons who came to see the paintings for the Artist's Reception. One could get lost imagining all the possibilities when looking at her work, which will be up through the end of November. Then JOE FONDA took the stage at 7 along with MIKE MUSILLAMI, RICKY ALFONSO, AL "ABU" CARTER AND TOM MONAGHAN for some jazzy musicand they were blazin' hot! The 5 of them were so tight and together it just worked incredibly. They jammed, jazzed, rocked, lifted us up and spun us around! The energy in the room was buzzing as the notes were flying and the musicians just kept pouring their all into their instruments, filling the room with gorgeous sounds never heard before! Joe played both the flute and his bass and I think plucked or tapped every square inch of that bass before the night was over. His grandchildren and the other children in attendance were engrossed in the show and Ricky's trumpet playing got them inquisitive so he spent some time talking with them after the show. Tom's family, including his grandmother and grandfather were thrilled with the performance too, once again delighting audiences of all ages. The room was packed and some stood outside peering in or through the windows, as the music was so enticing people came in off the street to watch. Some left shaking their heads, amazed at what they had just witnessed, and I heard from more than one person, "This was the best jazz I've ever heard" and I have to agree!