Pictures by Thunderbird Ranch Ramble Fillmore Jazz Festival, San Francisco, CA  July 1, 2017

Still a bit sad about the over-sizing and VIP-ing of Mountain Jam, my interest in music festivals was renewed and my musical soul soothed. 3,000 miles and two weeks away from Hunter Mountain in NY, the 33rd annual Fillmore Jazz Festival in San Francisco, CA was an uplifting display of music and people.


Nestled on the 12 blocks of Fillmore Street between Jackson and Eddy, the Fillmore Jazz Festival was plotted out beautifully hosted 6 stages with blues and jazz groups playing hour long sets. Despite it being the largest free jazz festival on the west coast, it was quite intimate. In between the stages were an interesting mix of vendors, places to hang and cool boutiques and watering holes.

Pictures by Thunderbird Ranch Ramble Fillmore Jazz Festival, San Francisco, CA  July 1, 2017

Of particular note, I enjoyed seeing the San Francisco natives bop and groove to the music so freely without being hoarded by security guards, crowd control fencing and entitled audiences.  Stand where you want, do what you want… just smile and be courteous to your neighbor. True Summer of Love and peace shit. Jerry Garcia would have enjoyed this scene.


With one hand on the PA speaker handle next to the stage to feel the vibrations and the other clasped tight on my girl, I went native.