It’s that time of year once again. Both the sun and musicians are making appearances in Bonn’s great outdoors again. Rain? Will it? won’t it? This evening it was the organizers for ‘Burger Bad Godesberg Events’ who had to watch the skies all evening. On the steps of the Trinkpavillion in Bad Godesberg Kurpark there were a couple of dozen musicians trying not to look up every minute and just concentrating on playing Big Band Jazz.

The Almost Famous Jazzband of the ACG (Amos-Comenius-Gymnasium) showed that there is a good chance that Bonn will continue to offer great Jazz for many a year to come. It was great to see all those young and enthusiastic faces behind trumpets and saxophones. The lone gentleman on trombone weas clearly not a current student at the college – so again I wonder what happened to this wonderful instrument’s popularity? Many year’s ago I saw the legendary Chris Barber showing the power of trombone solos. Barber has since left us, and I fear the trombone is in danger of following suit.

The Night Train Bigband from Bad Honnef are celebrating their 30th Anniversary and, being of a, shall we say, somewhat ‘older’ vintage, still has four trombones under the baton of Norbert Bujtor. I’m told that the band’s motto for the evening was ‘Jump, Jive and Wail’. The first two of which definitely took place. Not sure if we witnessed any wailing. Perhaps it was unnecessary because the rain stayed away for the most part.

There is a saying that you don’t get something for nothing, but actually, where the Trinkpavilion concerts are concerned you actually do. I would however strongly recommend putting some money in the hat when it comes round so that these relaxed and friendly concerts can continue. This year at any rate there is certainly lots to enjoy come rain or shine (there is an indoor stage ready just in case!)