I slipped into my mackintosh and galoshes and slipped my City umbrella into my bag. That necessitated donning a garment that, once shed for the summer, I don't usually reapply until that white stuff begins to fall: socks. But the sky was crying like the blues and I was out to get jazzed. Now, if I could only get a close parking spot...

Be forewarned - the corner of Chestnut and Broad, where the Xerox Auditorium is, is a wind tunnel. My umbrella immediately flipped inside-out and attempts to right it were futile. Fortunately they are finally letting us in the same side door we go out of, saving the added time and tracks of going up the courtyard steps, then down, then around, before going up the two flights.

I love efficiency, so the idea of seeing Kate McGarry's "Less Is More" Trio intrigued me. They began with "Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets," with McGarry flirting via skat with the guitarist. Next was "Do Something." The way the three musicians interacted with each other -- smiling, gazing and giggling -- was like a little love fest, although they didn't engage the audience very much. Even when audience members interacted with them -- one was inquiring about the melodia ,and one telling them they were really good -- the response was polite, but brief. I guess less is more extends beyond the music.

Irving Berlin's "Face the Music," beautifully arranged by guitarist Keith Ganz and accentuated by delicate sprinklings of percussion by Clarence Penn, was pleasant and lovely to listen to. Usually sung as an anthem, Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'" was performed more like a spoken and sung jazz beatnik poem, finishing as a sermon. "Caminhos Cruzados" opened with Penn on mouth organ and I was transported to a cocktail lounge complete with a little lamp-lit table and pining for a high ball.

"Man of God" had a slight Irish folk feel, and really showcased McGarry's vocal ability. Bjork's "Joga" inspired a more challenging listen, but then "You're My Thrill" was another lounge smoothie with a gentle go-round of the percussion instruments and ended with a soft bluesy wail. The Cars' "Just What I Needed" featured an impressive guitar solo, while Joni Mitchell's "Chelsea Morning" pumped out some lite rock, ending with a skat run that highlighted McGarry's voice yet took away from the beautiful simplicity of the song. In this case, less would have been more. Still, the standing ovation was well deserved.

Afterward I thought I'd head to the tent to catch Hot Club, but once I was outside and again battling my umbrella, I decided to take my tired self home.

A few endnotes: No, I am not texting during the performance. I am typing on my smart phone. Way easier than a laptop ,or trying to take notes in the dark. And all the easier to download, my dear. I have the backlight dimmed as much as possible so as not to disturb.

Speaking of disturbing, that's what people are who enter or leave during a musical piece. Please, do it between numbers!