By Andrew Firestone

The musicians appreciated their warm reception and returned the favor with some good vibrations of their own. "Somerville is the best, most supportive, most tight-knit music community," said Brendan Hogan, who's delicate yet forceful flow got some dancing. "The depth of talent is unlike any city I know."

That depth included Eric Hofbauer and his Infrared Band, who jangled and rolled to their own whimsical beat, the true old-school Professor Harp who seemed straight out of the heart of blues itself, and Jazz violinist Ben Powell's quartet, who brought an edge of delicacy to the groove.

"It's very much music you can groove to," said Romona Taj who moved to Somerville from true blues territory in Tennessee. "It's the kind of thing you can feel in your body. You can close your eyes, and the music moves you."

Mayor Joseph Curtatone who began the annual event last year was also on hand to feel the beat. "I'm jazzed about jazz," said Curtatone. "Music has been a big part of my life and Somerville's always been a very artistic community." Curtatone said that he was thrilled to be part of such a civic culture that fosters professional musicians and enriches anyone who listens.

"There are two types of music, good music and bad music," said Bill Trudel, listening to a particularly rapturous rendition of Bob Dylan's "Beyond Here Lies Nothing" performed by blues master Peter Parcek as his guitar wailed brilliantly. "Today, it's all good."