Talk about a happy and satisfied audience – that’s what I saw on 8/15/2010 at the 1st Annual Richmond Jazz Festival at Maymont.

People were everywhere on blankets and grass and fold-up chairs enjoying wonderful simultaneous lineups on two stages sponsored by Altria and Dominion.

People were so happy that as I walked around they hailed me from past years. These included my neighbors from 20 years ago whom I haven’t seen in a long, long time: Valerie and Keith Caleb – and with whom I spent awhile getting caught up. It also included a big man with a big smile and an outstretched hand who ran up to me: Marion Haskins whom I used to see 20 years ago at Woody’s and whose daughter was an elementary school classmate of my daughter for a couple of years. Marion’s retired and has moved back to Richmond.

And I made a new friend: artist Sahin Altug who owns/runs Bainbridge Art Center – which I still haven’t visited, but will now do so with a guided tour. I spent some time in Presenting Sponsor Altria’s hospitality tent where I congratulated Altria’s Charlie Agee for providing this grand festival for the Richmond region. While there I drank pinot grigio from Ste. Michelle Wine Estates – a corporate sponsor. That wine earns my Super Big Bravo.

The music was so good that it engaged all of us in happiness and neighborliness and an eagerness for next year.