All Your Jazz » jazz festival

San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival Nov. 25th-29th

jazzman — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:02:19 +0000

For over 25 years, visitors from around the world have visited San Diego to experience Traditional Jazz at the Town & Country Resort Hotel. From November 25th – 29th, 2009 see over 20 bands perform a variety of jazz styles at the Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival.

Discerning jazz fans call the San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival “the crown jewel of jazz festivals.” The event is held during the Thanksgiving weekend at the Town & Country Resort and Convention Center, in San Diego. The SDTDJF is a favorite of festival-goers from around the globe. All venues are conveniently located in the Town & Country Convention Center.

There are large concert rooms with double dance floors and small, intimate “listening” rooms. All are non-smoking. The Festival bands represent a wide variety of traditional jazz, dixieland and swing styles. The Festival offers something for every taste in classic jazz.

Performance Schedule

Festival Pricing & Location

Daily Badges:
Wednesday $15
Thursday $20
Friday or Saturday $35
Sunday $25
Get Tickets

Special Badge Prices:
5-Day (Wed-Sun) All Events: $90
4-Day (Thurs-Sun) All Events: $85
3-Day (Fri-Sun) All Events: $80
Get Tickets

Location:
Town & Country Hotel & Convention Center
500 Hotel Circle North
San Diego, CA
(619) 297-5277
www.dixielandjazzfestival.org

Detroit Jazz Festival 2009: Thad, Evlin & Hank Jones Featured

jazzman — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 06:54:48 +0000

The upcoming 30th anniversary festival of “Keepin’ Up With the Joneses” will celebrate the great families of jazz, starting with native sons Thad, Elvin and Hank Jones. “In this case, ‘keepin’ up’ means ‘living up’ to the greatness of Hank, Elvin and Thad Jones – these important musical giants, and their incredible sense of swing,” says Detroit Jazz Festival Executive Director, Terri Pontremoli. “In no way is this your typical family reunion!”

The fun, all outdoors, all free, begins Friday evening, September 4th, 2009, and goes from noon til well past dark through Labor Day on September 7th. Centered on the Detroit riverfront of Hart Plaza and extending a few blocks into downtown, the Detroit Jazz Festival (DJF) is one of the world’s largest free jazz events.

Who Else Will Be There?

In addition to 91-year-old Hank Jones (pictured at right), the DJF welcomes the Clayton Brothers (including this year’s artist in residence, John Clayton), Dave Brubeck and sons, John and Bucky Pizzarelli, Larry and Julian Coryell, the Heath Brothers (Jimmy and Tootie), Pete and Juan Escovedo, and Brian Auger and family. Extending the family concept, DJF will also boast artists representing family jazz traditions– T.S. Monk with a “tentet” performance of Monk on Monk and Chuchito Valdes, son and grandson of brilliant pianists Chucho and Bebo.

And there’s a lot more jazz from sources beyond Detroit. “Not everything will be Detroit or family-centric,” says Pontremoli. “We’re thrilled to have Chick Corea and his fabulous trio with Stanley Clarke and Lenny White on opening night. And then, of course, there’s Wayne Shorter with John Patitucci, Brian Blade and Danilo Perez…it just doesn’t get much better than that!” Other high-wire acts include masterful vibraphonist Stefon Harris and the 2008 Artist in Residence, Christian McBride with his new quintet, Inside Straight.

More special sets will include a 100th birthday celebration for Benny Goodman by virtuoso clarinetist Eddie Daniels; a “superbass” performance by John Clayton, Christian McBride and Rodney Whitaker; and a piano tribute to Tommy Flanagan, Hank Jones, Barry Harris and Milt Jackson by pianist Antonio Ciacca.

Covering five stages and anticipating 750,000 in attendance over four days, the Detroit Jazz Festival is supported by a $10 million endowment from Detroit philanthropist and Mack Avenue Records Chairman Gretchen Valade, as well as annual fund-raising efforts. For updated information, visit the festival website at www.detroitjazzfest.com

28th Annual Savannah Jazz Festival – 2009

jazzman — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:15:42 +0000

The 28th annual Savannah Jazz Festival will take place September 20th-27th, 2009 in beautiful Savannah, Georgia. Celebrating jazz as a living art form, the festival offers all types of jazz, from Dixieland, traditional swing, straight-ahead and bop to melodic standards, and funky down-home “gutbucket” blues.

The festival boasts the best in international, national, regional and local jazz talent. Sponsored by the City of Savannah, the Festival is FREE and open to the public. Food and drink venders on-site.

Festival Artists For 2009:
The 2009 Savannah Jazz Festival will feature Mose Allison, Grace Kelly, Ben Riley Trio- featuring Guitarist Jim Hall, Savannah Jazz Orchestra with Oliver Nelson Jr. Conducting and featuring Doug Carn, University of North Florida featuring Ed Calle, Longineu Parsons & Flight of the Vultures, The FlyCats, International Groove Conspiracy, Howard Paul, Ben Tucker, Teddy Adams, Huxsie Scott, Shane Pruitt Group, Savannah Arts Academy Jazz Band, The Jazz Corner All-Stars Coastal Jazz Hall of Fame All-Stars, J.B. Scott’s Swingin’ Allstars, The Eric Culberson Blues Band & more.

The Coastal Jazz Association thanks the City of Savannah Department of Cultural Affairs for providing Major funding for the Savannah Jazz Festival.

For more information:
(912) 675-5419
www.savannahjazzfestival.org

52nd Monterey Jazz Festival: Sept. 18th-20th, 2009

drumminfabe — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:46:14 +0000

The 52nd Monterey Jazz Festival set for three days, September 18th-20th 2009, will celebrate the joy of jazz with a variety of legendary performers and visionary new artists in a weekend of jazz, blues, folk, and American song with performances on multiple stages at the Monterey Fairgrounds in bucolic Monterey, California.

The Arena/Jimmy Lyons Stage will be the focal point of the Festival, with a lineup that includes legendary pianist Hank Jones, saxophnonist Joe Lovano, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (led by nine-time Grammy-winning trumpeter Wynton Marsalis {pictured}) and the Monterey Jazz Festival All-Stars, featuring pianist Kenny Barron, violinist Regina Carter, vocalist Kurt Elling and guitarist Russell Malone. Also on hand will be the gifted bassist and vocalist Esperanza Spalding, singer Dee Dee Bridgewater, the provocative Jason Moran & The Bandwagon and other greats, such as pianist Chick Corea, bassist Stanley Clarke and drummer Lenny White.

Trombonist Conrad Herwig

Special golden anniversary celebrations will be held of classic and historic jazz recordings from 1959 performed by Conrad Herwig’s Latin Side All-Star Band with special guests, trumpeter Randy Brecker and Lovano. The band will play the music of Miles Davis and John Coltrane to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the beloved and influential jazz classics, Kind of Blue and Giant Steps.

NEA Jazz Master, and living legend, pianist Dave Brubeck, also returns to Monterey for his 15th appearance to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his world-wide best selling and groundbreaking recording, Time Out. And, what’s more, folk and blues giant Pete Seeger, a great influence on jazz music, will put in an appearance.

Besides the large outdoor Arena Stage, most of the headliners, along with numerous other star musicians, will make appearances on four additional stages, the Night Club, Dizzy’s Den, Jazz Gallery and the Garden Stage during the weekend.

Emerging high school and college jazz stars will take center stage in the Arena, with the top high school big band – selected at the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Next Generation Festival (April 3rd – 5th, 2009) – playing on the Sunday program. This to be followed by MJF’s own Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, featuring Marsalis and the top high school musicians in the country.

For further information and tickets:
Call (925) 275-9255 or go to the festival’s website, montereyjazzfestival.org.
Full Weekend Arena Packages are available from $225; daily Grounds Tickets are from $35; full Weekend Grounds Tickets are $110. MJF’s new Family Discount Pack is $80 for two adult and two youth tickets

Location:
2004 Fairground Rd.
Monterey, CA 93940

Iowa City Jazz Festival

jazzman — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:44:17 +0000

Taking place annually over the first weekend of July, the Iowa City Jazz Festival celebrates its 17th July 3rd-5th, 2009. Held on the famed (and shaded!) “Pentacrest” of the University of Iowa, this festival has grown in stature and musical offerings to be one of the best of the free outdoor festivals in the nation, and is now a major component of the Iowa City Summer of the Arts program.

Headliners this year represent one of the strongest line-ups in festival history, including David Sanchez, Trombone Shorty, Lionel Loueke, Chris Potter’s Underground, the Bill Frisell Quartet, and the Dave Holland Quintet. Interspersed among the national headliners will be the best of local and regional jazz, as well as youth and college band stages promoting the future of jazz in Iowa and beyond.

Jams at the nearby Sheraton Hotel and area music bars ensure many hours of jazz for those who just can not get enough. Concessions across from the Pentacrest will keep the crowds fueled throughout the weekend, and feature such nonstandard Iowa fare as gourmet delights from the cuisines of India, Africa, Greece and Asia, along with “state fair” staples like corn dogs and ice cream.

Since its humble beginnings in 1991 as an intimate local gathering of jazz aficionados, the Iowa City Jazz Festival has transformed into a nationally recognized event with an average annual audience of more than 50,000. Over the years, the festival has featured some of the biggest names in jazz, including John Scofield, Paquito D’Rivera, Joe Lovano, Kenny Garrett, Roy Haynes, Dave Douglas, Bill Frisell, Joey de Francesco, Charlie Hunter, Greg Osby, Cubanismo, Pat Martino, Paul Motian, Don Byron, Andrew Hill, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Yellowjackets, Soulive, Patricia Barber, Sexmob, and Stefon Harris.

A key ingredient in the ongoing success of the festival is its accessibility. Admission has always been FREE. The sponsors underwrite all costs of producing the event, allowing it to transcend socioeconomic barriers and provide free access to families and individuals regardless of income.

Named among the “Top 10 Festivals in the Nation” by Downbeat magazine, the Iowa City Jazz Festivalalways features strong mainstream performers as well as genre-stretching innovators. Check your map—Iowa City is located in eastern Iowa right on Interstate 80, about half way between Minneapolis and St. Louis, Omaha and Chicago. Lodging is inexpensive and the music is free. And it boasts one of the best collection of national talents you’ll find at any free festival this summer. There’s no better way to celebrate the holiday.

More Info & Full Schedule

Press Release: Danny Wuerffel & The Desire Street Ministry To Host The Good Times and Jazz Festival

jazzman — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:51:54 +0000

Former University of Florida star and Heisman Trophy Winner Danny Wuerffel and the Desire Street Ministry will host the Good Times and Jazz Festival on Tuesday, February 3, from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm on the Back Lot at Full Sail University, 351 University Park Drive in Winter Park.

Desire Street Ministry is a national organization that encourages and equips leaders to transform impoverished neighborhoods into desirable places through spiritual and community development projects.

Read the full story at http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

29th Annual North Carolina Jazz Festival In Wilmington, North Carolina

jazzman — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 07:23:56 +0000

Event:
Feb. 5th-7th, 2009
(7:30 nightly)
Wilmington, North Carolina

Since its inception in 1980, the North Carolina Jazz Festival continues a tradition of bringing world-class jazz musicians to Wilmington, North Carolina. During the weekend of February 5th through 7th, 2009, the 29th Annual North Carolina Jazz Festival will present concerts by more than a dozen traditional jazz artists who will perform in a cabaret-style setting at the Hilton Wilmington Riverside’s ballroom. Aficionados can see and hear their favorite traditional jazz musicians perform live, along with opportunities to meet and mingle with the artists.

Joining this year’s lineup of superb talent for the first time are Israeli clarinet and saxophone player Anat Cohen and Italian pianist Rossano Sportiello. Local audience members will remember Sportiello from his November solo performance at the “Statesmen of Jazz” concert during Jazz Nite 2008 at Thalian Hall. Also new to the 2009 festival are Judy Kurtz and Gypsy Jazz Caravan bassist Mike Weatherly. Returning this year for the all-star lineup on Friday and Saturday evenings are Butch Miles, Randy Reinhart, and Nicki Parrott.

Back by popular demand are festival favorites Ed Polcer, Joe Ascione, Bucky Pizzarelli, John Cocuzzi, Houston Person, and Wycliffe Gordon. Presented in partnership with the Cape Fear Jazz Society, the N.C. Jazz festival is the only traditional jazz festival of its size on the coast from Virginia to Georgia.

Special Events:

The 2009 North Carolina Jazz Festival’s Thursday night opening event includes a special half-hour performance of swing music by the UNC-Wilmington Big Band, with a tribute honoring Benny Goodman’s 100th birthday. Joining the UNCW Big Band is Mike Waddell, a UNCW music professor and former clarinetist with “The Dukes of Dixieland.” Following the opening set, headliner Ed Polcer & His Swingtet will perform “Lionel, Red, and Bunny: A Tribute to Lionel Hampton, Red Norvo, and Bunny Berigan.”

Details:

Ticket Information:
Thursday ($30 per person; $15 student rate);
Friday and Saturday ($50 general admission, $15 students, each night).

Reservations:
Strongly encouraged and can be made online at http://www.ncjazzfestival.com
.

For more information about the event, please call (910) 793-1111 or visit www.ncjazzfestival.com.

Location:
Wilmington Hilton Riverside
301 N. Water Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 793-1111
www.ncjazzfestival.com

Keep Your Calendar Clear For The 19th Annual VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest

jazzman — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:36:55 +0000

The 19th annual VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest, presented by the Berks Arts Council, runs March 27 through April 5 and will bring to fans a wide array of musical styles, including contemporary and traditional jazz, soul, blues, big band and one-of-a-kind ensemble shows. Shows are held at major venues as well as intimate club and restaurant settings, making it a rather unique 10-day festival.

Featured artists at this year’s festival include veteran stars Peter White and Mindi Abair; the world premiere concert of Bela Fleck: The Africa Project; superstar saxman Boney James; festival favorite Brian Culbertson; the Sax for Stax duo of Gerald Albright and Kirk Whalum; urban pop/jazz ensembles Average White Band and Pieces of a Dream; world-renowned bassist Victor Wooten; powerful and moving vocalist Phoebe Snow; the Sax Pack of Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Cole and Kim Waters; piano-based McCoy Tyner Quartet; festival veterans Joe McBride and Kenny Blake; guitarist extraordinaire Chieli Minucci & Special EFX.

Fans also can enjoy the soulful sounds of Take 6 plus Wayman Tisdale; pianist David Benoit and saxman Warren Hill; renowned saxophonist and clarinetist Anat Cohen; the acclaimed Tierney Sutton Band; the Brian Bromberg Quartet; steel pan master Andy Narell and the Cantonsville High Steel Drum Band; Tim Price, Rachel Z and the Department of Good and Evil; and Nelson Rangell with the Reading Pops Orchestra performing My American Songbook. The festival finale features Jazz Attack with the always-entertaining Rick Braun, Richard Elliot and Jonathan Butler.

Blues is back in abundance at the 2009 Berks Jazz Fest, with two Severn Soul & Blues Revues, featuring Steve Guyger, Big Joe Maher, Tad Robinson, Roy Tyler and New Directions, and the Severn Records All-Star Band in the first show; and Clarence Spady, Darrell Nulisch, Lou Pride and the Severn Records All-Star Band rounding out the second show. Blues fans can also enjoy guitar virtuoso Joe Bonamassa, The Billy Price Band featuring special guest Fred Chapellier; and The Derek Trucks Band.

Fusion fans will get their fill with all-stars Steve Smith & Vital Information; and veteran-led Metro, featuring festival favorite Chuck Loeb, Mitch Forman, Dave Weckl, Randy Brecker, Gerald Veasley and Bobby Franceschini.

Great ensemble and tribute shows offer unique musical experiences to all fans this year.
Soul Summit II, presented by Jason Miles, features soul-drenched music and an all-star lineup with Maysa, Simone, Richard Elliot, Jeff Golub, Bob Babbitt, Reggie Young, and Steve Ferrone plus the Soul Survivors.

East Bay Soul brings the funk and R&B with Greg Adams, Phil Perry, Michael Paulo, Lee Thornburg plus the Joyce Cooling Band.

Artists paying tribute to some of music’s greats include the Gerald Veasley Band celebrating the Music of Stevie Wonder, with Najee, Nnenna Freelon, Joe McBride and the Berks Jazz Fest Horns in a fourth show televised live by WFMZ-TV Channel 69.

There is also the return of the very popular Rick Braun’s Tribute to Chet Baker; and Bobby Lyle & Paul Jackson Jr. will have a tribute to Jimmy Smith & Wes Montgomery.

This year’s festival has something for everyone, with smooth and straight-ahead jazz, smokin’ blues, soulful singing, unique ensembles, rousing tributes and much, much more.

For more information about this event, please visit www.berksjazzfest.com

Get Your Tickets at Ticketmaster

Harlem Jazz Concert Festival

jazzman — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 07:37:20 +0000

Event:
Nov. 22nd and Dec. 6th, 2008
(8:00 pm)
Harlem Jazz Concert Festival
Casa Frela Gallery
Harlem, NY

The Harlem Jazz Concert Festival celebrates the 2008 Holiday season with two limited time engagement concerts at Casa Frela Gallery. Headlined by rising jazz starlets, pianist and vocalist Deanna Witkowski and violinist Kersten Stevens, the Holiday 2008 concerts explore the richness of jazz music and its expression in the American, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, Hip-Hop, Sacred, and Gospel sub-genres.

Festival Details:

Produced by uptown natives Winslow Fabian and Águeda Ramírez, The Harlem Jazz Concert Festival began during the summer of 2007. Providing access to a great diversity of jazz music, from American jazz to World Avant-Garde, The Harlem Jazz Concert Festival boasts a commitment to the traditional, while nurturing and supporting the new and developing trends of the Jazz genre by showcasing jazz artists from the contemporary jazz mainstream, as well as emerging seasoned professionals.

Past artists include Xiomara Laugart (Broadway’s Celia), Oriente Lopez (The Capeman), Octavio Kotan (Afro-Cuban jazz legacy), Annette Aguilar (Bring In Da’ Noise, Bring In Da’ Funk), Sweet Plantain (Broadway’s Fela!), Elin (Dizzy’s Club CC), Andrea Tierra (Jazz Standard), Chanda Rule (Zinc Bar), Courtney Bryan (Nuyorican Poets Café), and Charenee Wade (St. Nick’s Pub).

The Harlem Jazz Concert Festival has enjoyed much success attracting diverse audiences from all five of New York City’s boroughs as well as tourist from Europe, Africa, South America, and The Caribbean.

Dec. 6th Show:

Selling out last year’s Harlem Jazz Concert Festival Fall 2007 Festival, Kersten Stevens is back!
A Harlem favorite, violinist Kersten Stevens is one of the most electrifying, expressive, & contemporary new artists of our time! Being blessed with a unique gift as a soulful jazz, gospel and hip hop violinist, her magnificent talent has propelled her from a local star hailing from Stratford, Connecticut to a national buzzworthy artist! She will go on stage at 8:00 pm.

Ticket Information:

Tickets are $20 (includes complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvers).
Reserve your tickets ahead of time.

Location:
Harlem Jazz Concert Festival
Casa Frela Gallery
47 West 119th Street
Harlem, NY
646-752-4019
www.harlemjazzconcertfestival.eventbrite.com

30th Playboy Jazz Festival

Mike — Fri, 30 May 2008 08:58:38 +0000

June 14 & 15th (Hollywood Bowl)

Celebrating 30 years of presenting extraordinary music, Playboy will present a world-class roster of talent at the 30th Anniversary Jazz Festival at the famous Hollywood Bowl. Performers include Herbie Hancock, Al Jarreau, Keb’ Mo’, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Poncho Sanchez, James Moody, Dr. John, Tower of Power, Rick Braun and Richard Elliot, Hiromi, the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, Robert Glasper, the Roy Hargrove Big Band, Guitars & Saxes, Ben Riley’s Monk Legacy Septet, Ivan Lins and Oscar Castro-Neves, Plena Libre, and Ryan Shaw. For the 27^th time, noted jazz aficionado Bill Cosby will emcee the event.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.