There were five musicians, and let's see--how many instruments? Guitar, 2 kinds, banjo, violin, viola, string bass, accordion, and marimba. There was another guitar-like instrument, but I can't recall the name of it (senior moment here).

The woman who played the accordion most of the time did a couple numbers on the marimba. The leader of the group played the guitar and banjo (and the instrument I can't remember the name of), one of the women played the violin and viola (Beth you would have loved watching her. Her fingers just danced over the strings, and her bowing looked effortless). The woman who played the sting bass was also the comedian of the group. Told jokes and teased the rest of the group, particularly the leader. The other guitarist played what I think is called a bass guitar. Anyway, it had a deeper sound and a rounder bottom. They all sang in solo or in choir. The one who played the big guitar sang in Ladino, and I could almost understand him. But it's so long since I've had anyone to speak Spanish with, most of my language is gone. For those of you who don't know, Ladino is spoken by the Spanish and Portuguese Jews, usually known as Sephardim. It's not entirely Spanish, but a Spaniard could easily get the gist of the conversation.

The selection of music was really eclectic. Most of it was Jewish in origin, folk songs and such. But one number was their version of Tico Tico. Does anyone remember Ethel Smith, the tiny little organ player? She could make that instrument stand on its head and do somersaults. She looked like she was dancing on the foot pedals of the organ. Tico Tico was her signature piece. But I digress.

There were familiar Jewish songs (Havah Nagilah, for instance), Russian-Jewish songs, reels and jigs, romantic Ladino songs, their variations of popular songs. With a couple short breaks, they played for three hours. People got up and danced, clapped, sang along, and had a wonderful time.

There was something very disturbing to me, though. There were a couple of groups near me who nattered the whole time. And not quietly. They came with wine and picnic (which a lot of people did), and presumably came to hear the music, but I'm not sure how much they actually heard. I finally moved closer to the front of the stage where people were more polite.

Later this month there'll be a performance by the CSUS (Cal State U at Sacramento) Jazz Ensemble. Then next month there will be "An Evening with Mary Youngblood" a Native American flutist; then Golden Bough Celtic Originals.

It was pretty hot today, but the Delta Breeze finally blew in about 45 minutes into the concert, so the evening was pleasant. Five dollars admission seems like a pretty reasonable price for three hours of wonderful music in the park.

Shalom.

The one instrument I couldn't remember: it was a balalaika