Sun Trust Jazz Brunch

The easiest to miss big event in Fort Lauderdale is the Sun Trust Jazz Brunch, which is held in the Esplanade Park by the river on the first Sunday of every month. If you've been to one of these, you know what it is and there's no reason to read this, since it's exactly the same as it's been for many years. I went for the first time in over 3 years last week, and I was astonished to see how little it's changed.

The first thing that you need to know about the Sun Trust Jazz Brunch is that is has very little to do with Brunch. It's basically a big picnic with live music. To me, it seems like an event for people who don't go out much, if at all, because most of the acts are pretty bad. If you're used to seeing live music in a club or bar you probably won't think that the artists that play in the Jazz Brunch are very good.

If you're coming from downtown, you can walk through the riverfront, which at this point is comprised of only Briny Riverfront, as virtually everything else has closed. For 1 day a month, the riverwalk comes alive

Jazz brunch riverfront

As you can see, there are more photographers than anything else. This area is apparently sponsored by The Spaniard, a restaurant in Boca that I didn't particularly care for. One thing that's kind of cool is the big Paella dish that's filled with, you guessed it, Paella.

Jazz brunch paella

It's more like a big wok full of rice; not much other stuff along with it. Which is one of the reasons that I didn't like the restaurant. Serving people big plates of rice with some chicken and charging them for Paella.

Walk through the Riverfront complex and there's a crossing that takes you right to the park with the picnic.

Jazz brunch crossing

Over the tracks and you start to see what it's all about. There are a lot of people sitting on the grass; sitting on lawn chairs with coolers. There are a lot of dogs, and kids. Its a family thing; its really like a big picnic.

Jazz brunch first

Now something that's important to understand that this is not really a brunch, nor can you get the kind of food you'd expect at a brunch. There's no eggs benedict or omelet stations here. In fact there isn't really much food at all. Most people bring their own food. You can get a hot dog or sausage sandwich, but not much else.

Jazz brunch sausage

And as jazz goes, there is some interesting music. I didn't care for what was going on at the "Gazebo". More R&B than jazz. A lot of older folks dancing up a storm...

Jazz brunch gazebo

Just past the gazebo is the food court, which is amazingly weak. The same handful of vendors that have been serving for years. Where are the food trucks? With all of the people who attend this event, and the headline "Brunch", you'd think that there would be some food. But this is just pathetic.

Jazz brunch food court

Over in the main park area in front of the Museum of Discovery, the stage has a real band playing.

Jazz brunch main stage

Unfortunately, watching bands play is only interesting if you know someone in the band. But the event does draw a lot of people.

Jazz brunch fromstage

In front of the Museum they have some vendors, but there isn't much interest in anyone buying things.

Jazz brunch street

The jazz brunch is about getting something for free; It's about being able to take the family to a park and listening to live music. "Brunch" really has nothing to do with it.

Sunday May 7, 2017

Esplanade Pavilion - U.S. Navy Band Southeast featuring Deckplate Brasspdf and VIP Combopdf
Connie Hoffmann Gazebo - RD Project
Peck Courtyard- Jazz Survivors