Jazzercise!

Just got back from the annual Burlington Discover Jazz Festival Press Conference. And as was mentioned roughly 72 times throughout the hour-long affair — with thanks to our presenting sponsors! And our co-sponsors! And our sponsor-sponsoring sponsors! Have a cookie! — there can be no surer sign of spring than . . . well, you know. All that jazz. After 26 years, couldn't we come up with another, perhaps non-weather related way of getting psyched about Jazz Fest? But I digress.

While this year's lineup doesn't quite boast the same jaw-dropping marquee pedigree of last year's 25th anniversary hootenanny, from top to bottom it is a pretty solid list of performers. You already know the headliners: Diana Krall, Branford Marsalis, Pink Martini. But for my money the real strength of this year's fest are the artists on the undercard — Belizbeha, Esperanza Spaulding, Yusef Lateef, to name a few.

Starting next week, we'll be digging in to many of these artists in greater detail in the paper. So for now, I'll just pass along the link to the full schedule. And before I forget, tix are on sale . . . right . . . now.