When the Stephane Wrembel Trio hit the stage at the new, large Club Pass tent, I thought there might be a sound system problem - an electronic buzz that just wouldn't quit. My son suggested that it might be there on purpose and, sure enough, it was a drone that gave a vaguely Middle-Eastern tinge to the first song.

With all of its international acts, one thing the RIJF has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt is that jazz has expanded into myriad sub-genres. Wrembel is a proponent of the Django dgenre. All of his tunes, in one way or another, were tributes to the great Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt. It's the kind of breezy European swing that takes you back to the days when you and your lover rode on your motorcycle through the narrow streets of quaint little towns in France, even if you never did that.

One composition morphed nicely into another throughout Wrembel's set, but there was enough variation to keep listeners on their toes. At two corners of the packed tent, couples couldn't resist dancing. Wembrel soloed beautifully with rapid-fire runs and rhythmic romps. Every time the group's drummer took a solo with his brushes or his hands, he showed that you don't have to be loud or flashy to make a statement.

There was no flash needed by legendary drummer Chico Hamilton either; his group Euphoria was one of the most tasteful I've heard in the festival's eight years. It was a refreshingly spare sound; each tune was an exquisite journey with each instrument speaking eloquently. Hamilton, who said he will turn 88 in September, sang and joked around as much as he played drums. When he played he was right on the money.

Hamilton has been known throughout his career as an extraordinary judge of talent. His groups have included greats like guitarists Jim Hall and Larry Coryell and saxophonists Charles Lloyd and Eric Dolphy. In this incarnation guitarist Cary DeNigris was simply phenomenal (especially on "Angel Eyes"), bassist Paul Ramsey played one of the most tuneful bass solos I've ever heard (on his own tune). Saxophonist/flautist Evan Schwam's style was reminiscent of another great Hamilton alum, Buddy Collette, and Jeremy Carlstedt did a fine job supporting Hamilton on percussion.

Tuesday I'll be in line for Lionel Louke, one of the freshest guitarists I've heard in years. I'm also anxious to hear one of the most unique groups on the planet: Andrey Razin & Second Approach.