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The party's over for this year - Photo ©Jared and Gabriela Bloch

Montreux, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Seventeen July, the final day for GenevaLunch at the Montreux Jazz Festival, and I think I finally figured it out.

Having driven to Montreux from Geneva three days, and taken the train a fourth day, I would opt for public transportation next year. Festival parking was well organized (as previously noted) but really by the time you negotiate Lausanne traffic, find parking, walk or bus it to the Convention Center, and then do the same in reverse, a good nap on the train looks mighty appealing.

One of my few regrets about the festival was my inability to be in two places (or more) at once, and I found myself too often torn between simultaneous acts in the two main halls, not too mention the myriad free concerts taking place in the Montreux Jazz Cafe and in Vernex Park.

Jimmy Page closing number televised from Miles Davis Hall

So it was last night I found myself rushing out of the entrancing Melody Gardot concert in Stravinsky Hall (see GL review tomorrow), to catch a gathering organized by the Montreux Festival partner, Spot On Denmark , meanwhile missing the closing numbers of Jimmy Page’s set in Miles Davis Hall.

Too much is a good thing? Maybe, but I would prefer a bit of overlap rather than everything at the same time. As it turned out, I was quite happy to be sitting in the Jazz Cafe, a subterranean party mileu of mostly under 30 somethings, and listening to some of the freshest and most innovative music at the festival.

Last night’s lineup featured the Chris Gall Trio, as well as The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, As In Rebekkamaria and Kakkmaddafakka who are associated with the Spot Music Festival.

Ed. note: See the GenevaLunch coverage of the 2009 Montreux Jazz Festival, including the complete collection of Jared Bloch’s reviews – Blind Boys of Alabama, George Duke, George Benson, Rachelle Ferrell, Kool and the Gang, Earth Wind and Fire Experience, and more!

The Asteroïds Galaxy Tour - Photo Jared Bloch

Montreux Jazz Cafe crowd

Read our previous Montreux Jazz Festival reviews.