Gary Mortenson, reporter

Continuing a long-standing ITG tradition, this year featured four late-night jam sessions in the Grand Hotel Lobby Lounge. On successive nights, this year’s jazz sessions were hosted by, Rustem Galiullin (Monday), Vince DiMartino (Tuesday), Theirry Amoit (Wednesday), and Kelly Rossum (Thursday). The sessions were all given with the superb backup of the 2005 Conference Rhythm Section consisting of Darin Pantoomkomol – piano; Alexander Sergueenko – bass; and Vyacheslav Shumilov – drums. A great selection of tunes adapted perfectly to extended solos featuring trumpeters and rhythm section alike. As each evening’s session developed, long solos, passed generously around the musicians, gave way to shorter, dialogue driven solos between specific soloists and then the rhythm section. Each night featured an eclectic mix of jazz standards allowing both accomplished professionals and aspiring young talent an outlet for their jazz language to develop. What a great way to end a full day of ITG activities! Thanks again for the consistently excellent service provided to the ITG Conference by the 2005 Conference Rhythm Section. Job well done.