th!annual!san!jose!jazzsummerfest!2015! … ·...
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***For Immediate Release***
26TH ANNUAL SAN JOSE JAZZ SUMMER FEST 2015
Friday, August 7 -‐ Sunday, August 9, 2015
Plaza de César Chavez Park, Downtown San Jose, CA Event Info: summerfest.sanjosejazz.org
Third Round Artist Line-‐Up Announcement:
Terri Lyne Carrington's Mosaic Project: LOVE and SOUL; Sax Appeal with Javon Jackson, Jimmy Heath, Gary Bartz and Donald Harrison; Brian Culbertson; Ali Shaheed Muhammad; John Pizzarelli Quartet; Ernesto Oviedo with The John Santos Sextet; Wee Willie Walker; Grant Geissman & the Bop! Bang!
Boom!; The Anton Schwartz Quintet; Will Sessions; Egils Straume; Kim Nalley with Kenny Washington; Trio Balkan Strings; Johnny Summers; Clint Baker; Wally Schnalle's IF3; Marcus Wolfe; Bob Schulz Frisco Jazz Band; Dave Haskell Group; The Hitmen; Ron Scott; Synchronicity; San Jose Jazz Summer Fest All Star
Big Band; San Jose Jazz High School All Stars; South Bay Big Band Jazz
Salsa & Latin Jazz Acts Appearing at Club Miami, South First Friday Art Walk & Night Market, and Salsa Stage:
Doug Beavers' Titánes del Trombón; Sonex; Jesus Diaz presents "Rumba Cubana/ A Cuban Rumba"; Jamie Dubberly & Orquesta Dharma; Fito Reinoso y su Ritmo y Armonia; Christian Pepin y Su Orquesta Bembé; Louie Romero y Mazacote; Conjunto Karabali; Rumbaché; VibraSON; Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble of San
Francisco
"The greatest jazz mélange in Silicon Valley…most [of which is] set in the disarmingly lovely downtown San Jose parks, for modest entry prices." -‐The New York Times
"San Jose Jazz Summer Fest embodies the notion that groove is the core thread connecting the various subsets of Pan-‐American musical expression... The Latin programming was comprehensive and spectacular. Ebullient dancers transformed the entire block of South Almaden Avenue that faced the Salsa Stage into a plein air version of Manhattan's legendary Palladium Ballroom…"
-‐DownBeat Magazine
"The beauty of a thoughtfully programmed festival is that one can be at any venue and get a quality musical experience." -‐San Francisco Chronicle
"This San Jose Jazz Summer Fest -‐-‐ celebrating its 25th anniversary was a great success. If one word were to describe it, it would be -‐-‐ quality. The lineup was impressive. The musicians -‐-‐ well known or newly discovered, were excellent and brought so much
joy to San Jose. It was an event you could truly relax and escape from your day-‐to-‐day busy life." -‐Content Magazine
"The 25th annual San Jose Jazz Summer Fest was quite the blowout: scores of acts on a dozen stages around downtown... It was hot fun in the summertime." -‐San Jose Mercury News
"The San Jose Jazz Summer Fest is one of the most popular music festivals in the Bay Area." -‐KCBS
San Jose, CA -‐-‐ Wednesday, June 17, 2015 -‐-‐ Silicon Valley's premier annual music event, San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2015 returns for its 26th festival season from Friday, August 7 -‐ Sunday, August 9, 2015 in and around Plaza de César Chavez Park in downtown San Jose, CA. A showcase for jazz and related genres, Summer Fest is also nationally recognized as one of the biggest Latin festivals in the country, and a standout summer destination for music lovers, concert-‐goers and families alike with its 12
stages of live music pulling in tens of thousands of visitors to downtown throughout the weekend. Up until August 3, festival attendees can purchase advance single day tickets at the exceptional value of just $15 (Friday)/$20 (Saturday & Sunday), while 3-‐Day weekend All Stages passes are only $65 at the special Advance Purchase price (GA: $55, GA -‐ All Stages: $65, Priority Access: $155, VIP: $325). Attendees can now take advantage of the best pricing out of any other ticketed Bay Area festivals; all ticket prices will increase to Gate Price on August 4. Mark your calendars for the unforgettable live music experience hitting the streets of San Jose this August 2015! New Artist Line-‐Up Announcement – San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2015: For nearly three decades, San Jose Jazz has embraced its steadfast commitment to only presenting today's most distinguished acts at one of North America's foremost festivals: GRAMMY® Award-‐winning artists, the hottest salsa and Latin bands in the world, classic jazz pioneers, world music stars, top Bay Area emerging musicians, and trend-‐setting hip-‐hop, R&B, and soul artists composing at the bleeding edge of jazz. Always curating salsa and Latin jazz shows at the center of the festival, San Jose Jazz hosts a special Friday night salsa dance party at Club Miami and a nearby outdoor stage as part of the South First Friday Art Walk & Night Market. The Friday night indoor salsa celebration will certainly be a night to remember, and the Salsa Stage kicks off on Saturday and continuing through Sunday with the singular acts listed below. Joining the "All Stages" access are two premier acoustic gems of venues, the California Theatre Stage and "The Stage" Stage. Renowned talent will be showcased at the venues, which provide a comfortable, air-‐conditioned, and intimate listening experience for attendees. Acts such as John Pizzarelli Quartet, Kamasi Washington, Etienne Charles & Creole Soul, Chihiro Yamanaka Trio, Ernesto Oviedo with The John Santos Sextet, Kim Nalley with Kenny Washington, and others will perform at these select venues. The 26th Annual San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2015 features an acclaimed line-‐up, and today San Jose Jazz announces its third round of artists appearing at Summer Fest 2015: Terri Lyne Carrington's Mosaic Project: LOVE and SOUL; Sax Appeal with Javon Jackson, Jimmy Heath, Gary Bartz and Donald Harrison; Brian Culbertson; Ali Shaheed Muhammad; John Pizzarelli Quartet; Ernesto Oviedo with The John Santos Sextet; Wee Willie Walker; Grant Geissman & the Bop! Bang! Boom!; The Anton Schwartz Quintet; Will Sessions; Egils Straume; Kim Nalley with Kenny Washington; Trio Balkan Strings; Johnny Summers; Clint Baker; Wally Schnalle's IF3; Marcus Wolfe; Bob Schulz Frisco Jazz Band; Dave Haskell Group; The Hitmen; Ron Scott; Synchronicity; San Jose Jazz Summer Fest All Star Big Band; San Jose Jazz High School All Stars; and South Bay Big Band Jazz. Acts appearing at Club Miami, South First Friday Art Walk & Night Market, and the Salsa Stage include Doug Beavers' Titánes del Trombón; Sonex; Jesus Diaz presents "Rumba Cubana/ A Cuban Rumba"; Jamie Dubberly & Orquesta Dharma; Fito Reinoso y su Ritmo y Armonia; Christian Pepin y Su Orquesta Bembé; Louie Romero y Mazacote; Conjunto Karabali; Rumbaché; VibraSON; and Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble of San Francisco. Summer Fest 2015 artists that have already been announced include: Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Band; Etienne Charles & Creole Soul; Letieres Leite & Orkestra Rumpilezz; Glen David Andrews; JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound; Zigaboo Modeliste; Chihiro Yamanaka Trio; Kamasi Washington; Charenee Wade Presents the Gil Scott-‐Heron Project; Oran Etkin: Re-‐Imaging Benny Goodman; Shai Maestro Trio; Villalobos Brothers; Zydeco Flames; Davina and the Vagabonds; Sultans of String; Quinn Deveaux; Con Brio; Bombay Jazz; Gail Dobson and the Dobson Family Band; Natalie Cressman; Sylvia Cuenca New York Quartet; Le Boeuf Brothers; Aaron Lington Quintet Plays the Music of Burt Bacharach; Plena Libre; Bria Skonberg; Marina & The Kats; Tebo's Howlin' Wolf Review; Guitar Fest 2015 with Hristo Vitchev, Terrence Brewer & Rick Vandivier; Adrianna Marie and Her Groovecutters; Liv Slingerland; Legally Blue; Round Midnight; Jessica Johnson; Greg Johnson; Mason Razavi's Quartet Plus; San Jose Jazz High School All Stars; and San Jose Jazz Summer Camp Combo. Artist interviews and hi-‐res photos are available upon request. Additional artists will be announced on June 29, 2015. Highlights of Newly Confirmed Artists: Summer Fest 2015's presents the official West Coast CD release shows for two prominent female artists, including two-‐time GRAMMY® Award-‐winning drummer Terri Lyne Carrington and Charenee Wade. With the August 7, 2015 album release of The Mosaic Project: Love And Soul on Concord Records, Terri Lyne Carrington expands upon her highly-‐acclaimed 2011 Mosaic Project album and explores repertoire revolving around songs inspired by love and the soul. Once again, the recording showcases an all-‐female supporting cast featuring a "who's who" of the jazz and R&B genres: Natalie Cole, Chaka Khan, Jaguar Wright, Oleta Adams, Ledisi, Paula Cole, just to name a few. Several celebrated guest artists from the Love And Soul album will join Carrington for an incredibly sultry and fiery Saturday night headlining performance on the Kaiser Permanente Main Stage, including Ledisi, Oleta Adams, Jaguar Wright, alto saxophonist Tia
Fuller, and others. San Jose Jazz is thrilled to present Terri Lyne Carrington and her star-‐studded band; Carrington is the only GRAMMY® winner in both the "Best Jazz Vocal" (2011, Mosaic Project) and "Best Jazz Instrumental" (2013, Money Jungle) categories. First runner-‐up in the 2010 Thelonious Monk International Vocal Competition, Charenee Wade is a notable singer, composer, arranger, and educator. At Summer Fest as part of the Motéma Music Showcase, she pays tribute to blues-‐ologist Gil Scott-‐Heron, a revolutionary artist and activist who merged spoken word with soul and funk-‐jazz grooves. Wade's forthcoming album, Offering: The Music of Gil Scott-‐Heron and Brian Jackson will be released on Motéma Music on June 23, 2015; Charenee Wade makes her Summer Fest debut on Sunday, Aug. 9 on the Cafe Stritch Stage with her deft band featuring alto sax player Lakecia Benjamin. Labelmates Oran Etkin and Shai Maestro Trio also appear on the Motéma Music Showcase, both of which have new releases scheduled for 2015: Shai Maestro Trio's Untold Stories (August 28, 2015) and Oran Etkin's WHAT'S NEW: Reimagining Benny Goodman (September 25, 2015). Each one a headliner in their own right with decades of experience at the top of their craft, saxophone greats Javon Jackson, Jimmy Heath, Gary Bartz and Donald Harrison bring their supergroup Sax Appeal to the Kaiser Permamente Main Stage on Sunday, Aug. 9. With four of the world's top straight ahead saxophonists bringing their A game, Sax Appeal is right on course for a historic concert in downtown San Jose. Closing out the Kaiser Permamente Main Stage that same evening, instrumental powerhouse Brian Culbertson will deliver a high-‐energy piano-‐driven live performance. Culbertson has garnered a long list of accolades including a Soul Train Award nomination, NAACP Image Award nomination, Oasis Smooth Jazz Awards, among others. DJ and producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad is known around the world as a founding member of one of the most legendary hip hop groups of all time, A Tribe Called Quest. The group's focus on socially conscious lyrics -‐-‐ coupled with their unique production heavy on jazz, funk and '70s rock samples -‐-‐ pushed them to the forefront of rap with all six of their albums going either gold or platinum. Quest's music continues to influence artists across diverse genres today. Ali Shaheed Muhammad performs a rare DJ set on the Jazz Beyond Stage on Saturday, Aug. 8. Son of the legendary guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, John Pizzarelli is one of the foremost jazz guitarist and singers of his time. He's world-‐renowned as one of the prime interpreters of the Great American Songbook. Pizzarelli's new album, John Pizzarelli Salutes Johnny Mercer, continues the artist's long-‐standing tradition of paying tribute to the classic compositions of the past century while giving them a contemporary twist. The John Pizzarelli Quartet opens the California Theatre Stage on Saturday, Aug. 8. Another not-‐to-‐be-‐missed guitarist at Summer Fest 2015 is Grant Geissman, who performs music from his latest release BOP! BANG! BOOM! at "The Stage" Stage on Saturday, Aug. 8. Having an initial stamp on pop culture with his standout guitar solo on Chuck Mangione's 1978 instrumental hit "Feels So Good," Geissman has come to co-‐write music for some of today's most popular TV shows, such as the CBS series Mike & Molly, and the Emmy Award-‐nominated music for CBS's Two and a Half Men. With an incredible line-‐up of the country's top salsa and Latin jazz bands, two singular artists will provide the perfect musical backdrop for the hot summer nights embarking on San Jose this August: Doug Beavers' Titánes del Trombón and Ernesto Oviedo with The John Santos Sextet. GRAMMY® Award-‐winning trombone master Doug Beavers is widely recognized as one of the premier players and composers on the Latin jazz scene in New York City. Native to the Bay Area, Beavers appears at Summer Fest 2015 for the West Coast CD release concert celebrating his latest recording, Titánes del Trombón (Artist Share; June 16, 2015). Featuring 37 guest artists including Oscar Hernández (leader of Spanish Harlem Orchestra), Dafnis Prieto, Luisito Quintero, Edsel Gomez, Eddie Montalvo and many others, Titánes del Trombón honors fellow trombone greats of the jazz and Latin idioms while highlighting Beavers own standout skills as an orchestrator. Beavers will bring his heavy-‐hitting ensemble for quite the homecoming party on the Salsa Stage on Friday, Aug. 8. Rounding out the Summer Fest line-‐up is 5-‐time GRAMMY® nominee, composer and bandleader John Santos and his collaboration with preeminent bolerista (singer of romantic ballads) Ernesto Oviedo. Oviedo's exquisite renditions of classic boleros have put him in a unique class of traditional boleristas. Oviedo, now 80, was a longtime member of the legendary Orquesta Estrellas Cubanas (founded in 1959) in Havana. Santos, a native to San Francisco's Mission District, has been at the center of the Bay Area's thriving Latin music scene for four decades. He's performed and recorded with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie and Tito Puente, and was an SFJAZZ Resident Artistic Director during 2013-‐14. A staple for many years at Summer Fest is the Adobe Swing Stage, which showcases the Bay Area's finest '30s & '40s influenced bands. This year's line-‐up presents an exciting roster of big bands as well as swing lessons throughout the full festival weekend. The 2015 acts include: Sons of Jubal, New Flamingo Swing Orchestra, Los Gatos Saratoga Big Band, Ron Gariffo Big Band,
Millenium Sounds Big Band, NASA Ames Big Band, Full Spectrum Big Band, Footnotes Big Band, The Lyratones, and Top Shelf Big Band. 2015 JazzWeek Summit Heads Back to San Jose, CA: Returning for the second-‐year-‐in-‐a-‐row, the prominent music industry website jazzweek.com hosts its annual JazzWeek Summit in San Jose, in conjunction with Summer Fest. On Aug. 6 & 7, jazz broadcasters, agents, artists and other jazz professionals from all over the country will gather at The Fairmont San Jose to discuss ways to program and promote jazz. Many of the participants will stay on through the weekend to enjoy the Fest. Details regarding specific panels and programs at this year's JazzWeek Summit will be announced in the coming weeks. "We're delighted to be returning to San Jose in 2015 for the JazzWeek Summit," says Ed Trefzger, Editor/Publisher of JazzWeek. "Our participants last year -‐-‐ radio programmers, record promoters, musicians and jazz journalists -‐-‐ were unanimously impressed with the festival, with San Jose, and with the people they met. San Jose Jazz Summer Fest has become one of the great outdoor jazz festivals in the United States, and the warm welcome San Jose Jazz gave us last summer has made us eager to be back." San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2015 -‐-‐ Sponsors: San Jose Jazz is grateful for the many visionary partners that help make the Fest possible. Returning to sponsor the main stage this year is Kaiser Permanente, in celebration of the positive role of music and dancing in a healthy lifestyle; KCSM Radio Jazz 91, which will once again be streaming live from select Fest stages; the City of San Jose; Gordon Biersch Brewing Company; YP; JazzTimes, DownBeat, KPIX5/KBCW, PayPal, Adobe, Greenberg Traurig, and Scott’s Seafood. San Jose Jazz is also proud to welcome Alaska Airlines to its list of sponsors this year. San Jose Jazz proudly presents dynamic programs that foster a positive social and economic impact on the greater community. Its annual Winter Fest (February & March) serves as a unique lab for artists pushing the boundaries of jazz, which extends to the summer offerings on Summer Fest's Jazz Beyond Stage. Economically, Summer Fest alone brings in more than $12 million to downtown San Jose. Through its year-‐round youth education programs, more than 100 free live music events each year, and unparalleled commitment to providing performance and classroom opportunities for elementary, middle and high school music students, San Jose Jazz is thrilled to contribute to the national arts movement benefiting the lives of hundreds of thousands of adults and children. Get ready for an exciting line-‐up of acclaimed artists and the best in Bay Area music talent at the 26th San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2015! Below is a list of featured artists performing at this year's festival; additional artists will be announced on June 29, 2015. 26th Annual San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2015 When: August 7 -‐ 9, 2015 Where: Plaza de César Chavez Park, San Jose, CA Admission: Please see below More info: summerfest.sanjosejazz.org; (408) 288-‐7557 Terri Lyne Carrington's Mosaic Project: LOVE and SOUL Sat, Aug 8 Kaiser Permanente Main Stage The Mosaic Project, created by drummer extraordinaire Terri Lyne Carrington, consists of some of the finest female instrumentalists and vocalists in the world, "women with voices," coming together to support and celebrate each other from a musical and social perspective. The 2011 release called The Mosaic Project -‐-‐ which won the GRAMMY® for "Best Jazz Vocal Album" the following year -‐-‐ comments on historical, current and appropriately feminine themes with the intent to offer an informative, enjoyable listening experience, driven by creativity and consciousness. The goal for this group is to vibrantly connect colorful pieces together and create something integral, using thoroughly composed song forms, some abstract improvising and also the human voice -‐-‐ to crest "sharp shapes, with blurred edges." The Mosaic Project is cross-‐generational, cross-‐cultural and cross-‐genre. While the project might be considered "jazzy" in nature, jazz has increasingly pollinated, allowing its language to metamorphose into something one style alone cannot claim. Two-‐time GRAMMY® Award-‐winning drummer, composer and bandleader Terri Lyne Carrington has been an in-‐demand collaborator for 25 years, working with luminaries like Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Al Jarreau and Cassandra Wilson. The
Mosaic Project was followed by 2013's Money Jungle: Provocative in Blue, a highly praised homage to Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus and Max Roach that won the GRAMMY® for "Best Jazz Instrumental Album". Carrington will soon launch her new Mosaic Project, LOVE and SOUL, on Concord Records. It features vocal stars including Natalie Cole, Valerie Simpson, Lizz Wright, Jaguar Wright and Oleta Adams. terrilynecarrington.com Sax Appeal with Javon Jackson, Jimmy Heath, Gary Bartz & Donald Harrison Sun, Aug 9 Kaiser Permanente Main Stage What happens when you put together four of the world's best saxophonists? A jazz supergroup! Sax Appeal features Javon Jackson, Jimmy Heath, Gary Bartz and Donald Harrison, each one a headliner in their own right and each with decades of experience at the top of their craft. Together, feeding off of one another, there's no telling where their collective creative spark will take them. At the tender age of 50, Jackson is the youngest of the four reedmen. He has appeared on more than 125 recordings and has played with such giants as Elvin Jones, Freddie Hubbard, Donald Byrd and Cedar Walton, among many others. As a mainstay of the iconic Heath Brothers, 88-‐year-‐old NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Heath remains a force of nature, a brilliant instrumentalist and a magnificent composer and arranger. In addition to performing with countless icons from Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis to John Coltrane and Charlie Parker, many of Heath's compositions have become bona fide jazz "standards." Gary Bartz, 74, has been a trailblazer since his youth. Arriving in New York at age 17, he made his name accompanying Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln. He joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in the '60s and has since worked with everyone from Byrd to Charles Mingus and McCoy Tyner, in addition to recording and performing as a leader with the famed Ntu Troop and other projects. Donald Harrison's style merges jazz with R&B, hip hop, soul and traditional New Orleans styles. Harrison, 54, grew up in the Crescent City, saturated with the city's brass bands, R&B, funk, classical, ethnic and dance music. He has performed with an illustrious list of musicians, including Davis, Blakey, Tyner, Ron Carter, Dr. John and a long partnership with Terence Blanchard. Harrison's working groups have also been incubators for jazz bandleaders — past ensembles have included trumpeter Christian Scott, pianist Cyrus Chestnut and bassist Esperanza Spalding. We can easily say this will be a historic concert you should NOT miss! javonjackson.com jimmyheath.com garybartz.com donaldharrison.com Brian Culbertson Sun, Aug 9 Kaiser Permanente Main Stage Multi-‐instrumentalist Brian Culbertson took up the piano at age 8 and went on to master the drums, trombone, bass, trumpet and synthesizer. Since then he's become an instrumental superstar whose memorable recordings and high-‐energy performances are known worldwide. Culbertson grew up near Chicago, where he fell in love with genre-‐crossing jazz-‐pop artists such as Earth, Wind & Fire, Chicago, Tower of Power, the Brecker Brothers, David Sanborn, Yellowjackets, Sting and Chick Corea. By 7th grade, he was composing original music, and following high school he studied music at DePaul University. In 1994, at 20, Culbertson self-‐produced his debut album, Long Night Out. After that release, he wrote jingles for high-‐profile clients but before long his albums -‐-‐ which now number more than 15 in all -‐-‐ began finding a wider audience. Even as his own recordings routinely shoot up the charts, Culbertson has continued to collaborate with such music industry giants as Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire, Larry Graham, Michael McDonald, Chris Botti, Barry Manilow, Herb Alpert,
Natalie Cole and Bootsy Collins, among many others. He has been nominated for numerous awards, including a 2012 NAACP Image Award and a 2012 Soul Train Award. Brian's latest album, released this past winter, is simply titled Live. Recorded last September at Yoshi's jazz club in Oakland -‐-‐ his first-‐ever in-‐concert recording -‐-‐ it commemorates Culbertson's 20th anniversary in the music business. Join us for Brian's performance on the Main Stage and you'll see why we call him a "headliner." brianculbertson.com Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Band Sun, Aug 9 Kaiser Permanente Main Stage Known for his charismatic power and bold innovative drive, Eddie Palmieri has a musical career that spans over 50 years as a bandleader of Salsa and Latin Jazz orchestras. With ten GRAMMY® Awards and a discography that includes 36 titles, Palmieri is known for his astute arranging skills and historic compositions. The celebrated musician has received countless awards, including the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences Lifetime Achievement Award, Chubb Fellowship Award, National Black Sports and Entertainment Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Harlem Renaissance Award. Yet another outstanding achievement was "Caliente", a radio show hosted by Palmieri on National Public Radio and picked up by more than 160 radio stations nationwide. Eddie Palmieri has one of the most actively touring Salsa and Latin Jazz orchestras to date, tours of which have taken him to Europe, Asia, Latin America, Australia, North Africa, and throughout the Caribbean. A true powerhouse of brilliance, he has shown that time is infinite with respect to his repertoire, as he continues to captivate live audiences throughout the world. eddiepalmierimusic.com Etienne Charles & Creole Soul Sat, Aug 8 California Theatre Stage & "The Stage" Stage Composer, arranger, recording artist, and educator Etienne Charles is one of the most compelling and exciting young jazz artists on the scene, ushering the genre into groundbreaking new territory. The young trumpeter and bandleader will present the world premiere of his composition, the "San Jose Suite" at Summer Fest 2015. On April 9, 2015, Etienne Charles was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship for Music Composition. The "San Jose Suite" explores stories, rituals, native chants, rhythms, and other cultural elements that shaped different San Jose cities. The exploration will take place through composition and improvisation, with each movement of the 60-‐75 minute piece introducing good, cultural and historical icons, traditions, and milestone events in the history of the cities. Charles' latest album Creole Soul is a captivating journey of new jazz expression, tapping into a myriad of styles rooted into his Afro-‐Caribbean background. While the album is steeped in the jazz tradition, Charles delivers a unique spin on Creole-‐oriented tunes, including covers from past masters ranging from Bob Marley to Thelonious Monk. Joining the leader for the Creole music adventure is Charles' band, comprised of tenor saxophonist Jacques Schwarz-‐Bart, alto saxophonist Brian Hogans, Kris Bowers on piano and Fender Rhodes, bassist Ben Williams and drummer Obed Calvaire. Guests include vocalist Erol Josué, guitarist Alex Wintz and percussionist/vocalists Daniel Sadownick and D'Achee. Etienne Charles has performed with a vast range of musicians, from Roberta Flack, Rene Marie, and David Rudder to Wynton Marsalis, Johnny Mandel, and the Count Basie Orchestra. In addition to his talents as a musician, Charles is also an Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at Michigan State University. etiennecharles.com Letieres Leite & Orkestra Rumpilezz Sat, Aug 8 Kaiser Permanente Main Stage
Letieres Leite & Orkestra Rumpilezz is an award-‐winning 20-‐piece big band from Bahia, Brazil whose music is a mixture of the percussive rhythms of candomblé (an Afro-‐Brazilian religion practiced in Bahia) and the North American big-‐band jazz tradition. Founded in 2006 by musician and conductor Letieres Leite, the Rumpilezz is governed by sound sensitivity and marked by the influence of jazz in its harmonic construction. The ensemble consists of five musicians in the percussion section (drums, surdo, timbau, agogo, tambourine, and caxixi), along with 14 brass musicians (four trumpets, four trombones, two alto saxophones, two tenor saxophones, one baritone saxophone, and one tuba). The Orkestra Rumpilezz has emerged as the exponent of the Brazilian and international music scene, receiving the Bravo Award! for ''Best Album'' and the Brazilian Music Award for "Best Instrumental Group". The ensemble has performed with notable names in the music world including Joshua Redman, Ed Motta, Nivaldo Ornelas, Stanley Jordan, Toninho Horta, and countless others. rumpilezz.com Ali Shaheed Muhammad from A Tribe Called Quest Sat, Aug 8 Jazz Beyond Stage DJ and producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad is known around the world as one-‐third of one of the most legendary hip hop groups of all time, A Tribe Called Quest, alongside Queens, N.Y., natives Q-‐Tip, Phife Dawg and honorary member Jarobi. A Tribe Called Quest's focus on socially conscious lyrics -‐-‐ coupled with their unique production heavy on jazz, funk and '70s rock samples -‐-‐ helped push them to the forefront of rap. Though A Tribe Called Quest disbanded in 1998, the group's place in hip hop's pantheon has long been secured, with all six of the group's albums going either gold or platinum and still influencing artists across many genres today. Muhammad formed the production company The Ummah with Q-‐Tip and Jay Dee, the brilliant artist who would later be known as J Dilla. The trio was responsible for the production of the last two A Tribe Called Quest albums, as well as producing remixes for Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson and countless others. Ali Shaheed Muhammad has also built a strong solo career as both DJ and producer, working with a wide range of names including Faith Evans, Mos Def and D'Angelo, with whom he collaborated on the GRAMMY®-‐nominated single "Brown Sugar." Muhammad also co-‐founded the star trio Lucy Pearl, aligning with Dawn Robinson of En Vogue and Raphael Saadiq. The group's self-‐titled debut album produced the hit "Dance Tonight," which was nominated for a GRAMMY® for "Best Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group". He has also released several solo albums, beginning with his 2004 debut, Shaheedulah and Stereotypes. alishaheed.com Glen David Andrews Sat, Aug 8 Alaska Airlines Big Easy Stage & Kaiser Permanente Main Stage Hailed by the Wall Street Journal as "electrifying", vocalist and trombone player Glen David Andrews has long endeared himself to audiences in his native New Orleans with his charisma and sweetness. The talented musician and songwriter has practiced his musicianship and showmanship with the city's most energetic brass bands, from New Birth and L'il Rascals to ReBirth and Treme. Andrews performs regularly at such New Orleans clubs as dba and Three Muses. In recent years he began making waves as a headliner at the world's biggest block party, the annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, where he has ripped it up in the gospel tent, the blues tent and the jazz tent. Andrews also was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2011 as a "Future Hall of Famer", and was nominated for "Best Male Performer" at the 2009 Big Easy Awards and "Best R&B Performer" at the 2009 Best of the Beat Awards. Recorded in 2013 at the Living Room, a converted church on the West Bank, Glen David Andrews' latest Redemption was produced by GRAMMY® winner Leo Sacks. The album features frequent collaborators of the musician, including Ivan Neville, Jamison Ross, Anders Osborne, and Mahalia Jackson. glendavidandrewsband.com JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound Fri, Aug 7
Kaiser Permanente Main Stage Sat, Aug 8 Blues Stage With a take-‐no-‐prisoners live attack and lyrics speaking of the torment of the times, it's no wonder the Chicago Tribune calls JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound "the real deal." This is a soul band connecting with people the old-‐fashioned way: by whipping them into a frenzy. JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound has attracted a grassroots following, with MOJO Magazine calling them "one of the hottest US soul acts." Releasing their Bloodshot Records debut Want More in 2011, followed by 2013's Howl, the ensemble has toured North America and Europe, attracting an enthusiastic following while garnering airplay from the likes of NPR, KEXP, and AAA radio. The band's cover of Wilco's "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart" earned them a spot performing with Jeff Tweedy at Wilco's Solid Sound Festival in 2011. JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound have collaborated with soul legend Syl Johnson and were handpicked by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to play his inaugural party in 2011. In performance and on record, it is undeniable that JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound are 100% soul and are fond of getting crowds moving, something that's been sorely missing from live music. jcbrooksandtheuptownsound.com Zigaboo Modeliste Sat, Aug 8 Alaska Airlines Big Easy Stage Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste is a master drummer, rhythm innovator, percussionist, and New Orleans legend. His innovative work as a member of The Meters, as well as his status as a master of funk grooves and syncopated rhythms, have garnered him an unparalleled level of respect among musicians and fans. Modeliste is the most highly acclaimed drummer out of New Orleans whose creativity has been a wellspring of funk influences for three decades. He boasts a résumé of side work with the likes of Keith Richards, Robert Palmer, and Dr. John, and his music has been sampled many times over by artists such as Run DMC, A Tribe Called Quest, Queen Latifah, and Cypress Hill. A winner of the BMI Award for Young Gunz' "Can't Stop Won't Stop", Modeliste's contributions can be heard on over 36 albums nationally and internationally. The drummer's tunes are featured in films such as Jackie Brown, 8 Mile, and Two Can Play That Game. In 2014, Modeliste and The Meters were showcased in Dave Grohl's HBO docuseries "Sonic Highways." He was also named one of the "Top 100 Most Influential Drummers Ever" by Total Drumsets. zigaboo.com Chihiro Yamanaka Trio Sat, Aug 8 San Jose Stage Blue Note Records artist Chihiro Yamanaka is one of the most exciting jazz pianists and composers of her generation. Yamanaka's music pivots between her strikingly original compositions and unique arrangements, accomplishing the impressive feat of introducing the element of surprise into some of the most famous songs in the jazz, pop, and classical music. The new album by Chihiro Yamanka, Somethin' Blue, is the pianist's debut on Blue Notes Records. Her impressive technical mastery of the piano combines with her improvisational command to make her a member of the pantheon of great pianists who have recorded for Blue Note throughout its history. Additional releases include her creative reworking of Beatles classics on the tribute Because, Molto Cantabile, After Hours 2, Reminiscence, and My Favorite Blue Note, released by Universal Music in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Blue Note Records. Yamanaka regularly performs across the globe, with recent U.S. concerts at venues including Carnegie Hall, Yoshi's, and the Mary Lou Williams Women In Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center, as well as frequent tours in Japan and Europe. The musician has become a multimedia celebrity in Japan, hosting her own radio show, making TV appearances, and authoring a book, The Landscape With Jazz. chihiroyamanaka.com
Kamasi Washington and the Next Step Sun, Aug 9 Kaiser Permanente Main Stage Kamasi Washington and The West Coast Get Down Sun, Aug 9 California Theatre Stage Saxophonist Kamasi Washington's new project The New Step is a modern take on the big band format, with two drummers, two bassists (upright and electric), three horns, and a vocalist. Washington has long aligned himself at the intersection of jazz and hip-‐hop with projects including The West Coast Get Down, featuring eight young ground-‐breaking musicians from Los Angeles. Kamasi Washington has led a fulfilling life in music since an early age, placing the lead tenor saxophone in the top jazz ensemble at the Hamilton High School Music Academy and forming the jazz ensemble The Young Jazz Giants while still in high school. In his second year at UCLA, Washington went on his first national tour with hip-‐hop legend Snoop Dogg. Washington has collaborated with jazz and R&B legends Raphael Saadiq, Lauryn Hill, Chaka Khan, and Quincy Jones, as well as becoming a member of The Gerald Wilson Orchestra, to study under his biggest compositional hero. The saxophonist has also appeared on Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly, and on albums by Harvey Mason and Stanley Clarke. Washington's work with Brainfeeder, a label established by electronic musician and producer Flying Lotus, has culminated in his first album with The New Step, The Epic. A sprawling album, the innovative project is full of funk, gospel, swing, and hip-‐hop, expanding the boundaries of jazz. kamasiwashington.com John Pizzarelli Quartet Sat, Aug 8 California Theatre Stage John Pizzarelli, the world-‐renowned guitarist and singer, has been called "hip with a wink" by Town & Country and "madly creative" by the Los Angeles Times. His latest album release, John Pizzarelli Salutes Johnny Mercer, continues the artist's long-‐standing tradition of paying tribute to the classic compositions of the past century while giving them a contemporary twist. Drawing inspiration from such giants as Nat "King" Cole, Frank Sinatra and João Gilberto, and the songs of Richard Rodgers, George Gershwin, James Taylor, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Lennon and McCartney, Pizzarelli has established himself as one of the prime interpreters of the Great American Songbook and beyond, bringing to his work the cool jazz flavor of his brilliant guitar playing and singing. Son of the legendary guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, John went into his father's business at age 6. After playing in pickup groups and garage bands throughout high school he began exploring jazz, and performed with a number of great jazz musicians who would become major influences on his work, including Benny Goodman, Les Paul, Zoot Sims, Clark Terry and Slam Stewart. Pizzarelli went out on his own after recording My Blue Heaven for Chesky Records in 1990, then toured extensively. In 1993, he was honored to open for Frank Sinatra's international tour and then joined in the celebration for Sinatra's 80th birthday at Carnegie Hall. According to the New York Times, "Pizzarelli instigates high-‐speed musical conversations within the group that have the fast, frisky playfulness of a pro basketball team." And when John has performed with his wife, singer/actress Jessica Molaskey, and his father, they've been labeled "the First Family of Cool" by the San Francisco Chronicle and "the Von Trapps on martinis" by the New Yorker. johnpizzarelli.com Charenee Wade Presents the Gil Scot-‐Heron Project Sun, Aug 9 Motéma Music Showcase @ Cafe Stritch Stage
First runner-‐up in the 2010 Thelonious Monk International Vocal Competition, Charenee Wade is a notable singer, composer, arranger, and educator. At Summer Fest as part of the Motéma Music showcase, she pays tribute to blues-‐ologist Gil Scott-‐Heron, a revolutionary artist and activist who merged spoken word with soul and funk-‐jazz grooves. Wade's accolades include Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead Program, being chosen for the Dianne Reeves Young Artist Workshop at Carnegie Hall, and being the first runner-‐up in the Jazzmobile Vocal Competition. The talented vocalist performs internationally and has graced the stages of the Jazz Gallery, Jazz at Lincoln Center's Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, the legendary Smalls, and the Zinc Bar. Currently a professor at the Aaron Copland School of Music -‐ Queens College -‐ CUNY, and with the Jazzmobile Workshop program, Wade teaches various workshops and clinics around the country. Famously known for "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised", Gil Scott-‐Heron was melding music that had elements of soul, jazz, blues, and hip-‐hop, even before hip-‐hop really existed. In tribute to the late artist, Wade released a version of Scott-‐Heron's classic tune "Ain't No Such Thing As Superman" for her upcoming album Offering: The Music of Gil Scott-‐Heron & Brian Jackson. The release features a host of luminaries including Christian McBride, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Lakecia Benjamin, Stefon Harris, Marcus Miller, and many others. chareneemusic.com Oran Etkin: Re-‐Imagining Benny Goodman Sun, Aug 9 Motéma Music Showcase @ Cafe Stritch Stage Talented clarinetist, improviser, and composer Oran Etkin's unique world music inspired sound emanates from an openness to discovery in the world, in himself, and within his music. At Summer Fest as part of the Motéma Music showcase, the musician presents a creative homage to the classic Benny Goodman Quartet. Through years of experience in a myriad of musical cultures, Etkin has developed a singular sound on the clarinet, bass-‐clarinet and saxophone that draws on ancient traditions (from Africa, Israel, and New Orleans) and resonates with the driving energy of the current New York jazz scene. Deep respect and honest personal musical expression are themes that tie together all of the artist's work in composition, performance, recording, and education. Oran Etkin continues the tradition of music education through a groundbreaking new method of teaching music called Timbalooloo. The popularity of Etkin's educational method has spread through word of mouth and has been endorsed by Harvey Keitel, Naomi Watts, and Edie Falco, all of whom have enrolled their children in the program. Oran Etkin's music has also been featured on several compilations: the GRAMMY® Award-‐winning album All About Bullies, Big And Small, which features two tracks composed and performed by Etkin; GRAMMY®-‐nominated album, Healthy Food For Thought; and the Parent's Choice Gold Award winner, Putumayo Kids Jazz Playground. oranetkin.com Shai Maestro Trio Sun, Aug 9 Motéma Music Showcase @ Cafe Stritch Stage Israel-‐born, New York-‐based jazz pianist Shai Maestro was a former member of Avishai Cohen's trio. Now the bandleader of his own Shai Maestro Trio, the impassioned musician presents music that is altogether dynamic, explosive, and virtuosic, as part of Summer Fest's Motéma Music showcase. After studying classical piano with Professor Benjamin Oren at the Music Academy in Jerusalem, Shai Maestro won the National Jazz Ensembles Competition ''Jazz Signs'', as well as a number of scholarships from the America-‐Israel Cultural Fund for jazz piano. Joining bassist Avishai Cohen's trio for five years, alongside drummer Mark Guiliana, Maestro toured extensively around the world, playing 70-‐90 concerts a year at well-‐known venues and festivals including Blue Note, Yoshi's, Madrid Jazz Festival, and The Olympia Hall. He has performed with the likes of Kendrick Scott, Jorge Rossy, and John Pattitucci. Working with such acclaimed artists solidified Maestro's status as a piano prodigy with dazzling skill, elegant phrasing, and unfailing taste. Embarking on a new journey with the Shai Maestro Trio, the pianist has proved himself a versatile and diverse bandleader. Shai Maestro Trio has shared the stage with ensembles led by jazz greats including Chick Corea, Tigran Hamasyan, Esperanza
Spalding, and Diana Krall. The Trio's two critically praised albums have spurred extensive international tours in concert halls, jazz clubs, and at festivals. shaimaestro.com Villalobos Brothers Sat, Aug 8 "The Stage" Stage Villalobos Brothers have been recognized as one of today's leading Contemporary Mexican ensembles, delivering an intoxicating brew of brilliance, cadence and virtuosity that awakens and mesmerizes. Their original compositions and arrangements masterfully blend and celebrate the richness of Mexican folk music with the intricate harmonies of jazz and classical music. The first Mexican band to play at the Apollo Theater, the ensemble has also performed at an impressive list of venues including the Latin Grammy® Awards, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Rockefeller Center. In 2013, Villalobos Brothers won the "2013 Battle of the Boroughs", one of National Public Radio's flagship competitions. They have collaborated and recorded with legendary musicians, including Paddy Moloney and The Chieftains, Dan Zanes, Jay Rodriguez, Pierre Boulez, Dolly Parton, and Eddie Palmieri. Their most recent album, Aliens of Extraordinary Ability, references the Artist Visas that the three brothers received before coming to the United States. Future endeavors include the completion of a Symphonic Project in collaboration with GRAMMY®-‐winning arranger and composer Eduardo Magallanes, as well as the recording of a second album. Villalobos Brothers are composed of brothers Ernesto Villalobos (lead vocals, violin), Alberto Villalobos (lead vocals, violin), and Luis Villalobos (lead vocals, violin), and collaborators Humberto Flores (guitar, back-‐up vocals), Leo Sherman (bass), and Rosa Avila (drums). villalobosbrothers.com Ernesto Oviedo with The John Santos Sextet Sat, Aug 8 California Theatre Stage Ernesto Oviedo is one of the preeminent boleristas (singers of romantic ballads) in the world today, emanating from a royal Cuban musical family of soneros. Oviedo's exquisite renditions of classic boleros have put him in a unique class of traditional boleristas. Oviedo, now 80, was a longtime member of the legendary Orquesta Estrellas Cubanas (founded in 1959) in Havana. In 2013, he wowed the crowd at the SFJAZZ Center as a featured guest with John Santos' Filosofía Caribeña project, and a subsequent CD release concert at the venue for Siempre Clásico, produced by Santos, was sold out. Siempre Clásico is the first and only recording featuring Oviedo under his own name. It showcases his mastery of several genres of traditional Cuban music, including the bolero, son, rumba, bembé, afro and the regal danzón. At this year's Summer Fest he will perform with the renowned John Santos Sextet. Far more than a master percussionist, 5-‐time Grammy® nominee, composer and bandleader Santos is an educator and cultural activist. He is a keeper of the Afro-‐Caribbean flame, steeped in Cuban and Puerto Rican folkloric traditions as well as salsa and Latin jazz. Santos was born and raised in San Francisco's Mission District amid an extended family of Puerto Rican musicians, and has been at the center of the Bay Area's thriving Latin music scene for four decades. He's played an essential role in expanding Latin jazz's rhythmic lexicon beyond the foundational Cuban grooves. Santos has performed and recorded with Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Max Roach, Cachao, Eddie Palmieri, McCoy Tyner and Bebo Valdés, and founded the famed Machete Ensemble, which was documented on nine albums from 1985-‐2006. In 2012 he was honored with the San Francisco Latino Heritage Arts Award and was an SFJAZZ Resident Artistic Director during 2013-‐14. ernestooviedo.com johnsantos.com Zydeco Flames Sun, Aug 9 Alaska Airlines Big Easy Stage
Zydeco Flames has gained a reputation as the West Coast's premiere zydeco band. Their sizzling roots rhythms are timeless and the execution is relentless, with a stunningly powerful groove. The ensemble delights fans with hot zydeco in the tradition of masters like Clifton Chenier, Buckwheat Zydeco, and Queen Ida. Zydeco Flames consistently pack the house in venues ranging from contemporary clubs to major festivals to traditional dancehalls, playing the likes of the Portland Blues Festival, San Francisco Jazz Festival, and the Black and White Ball. The group was awarded "Best Zydeco Band" by the West Coast Blues Society, and "Best Original Song" for "Don't Worry" by the West Coast Cajun & Zydeco Association. With their unique brand of Louisiana-‐spiced rhythms, infectious energy, and soulful ranges, these rousing entertainers have unleashed their talents on over ten original albums and compilations. Zydeco Flames have also played for former President Bill Clinton at his re-‐election fundraiser, and have five songs featured on the popular computer reality game, "The Sims Unleashed". zydecoflames.com Davina and the Vagabonds Sat, Aug 8 Kaiser Permanente Main Stage & The Blues Stage Davina and the Vagabonds have created a stir with their high-‐energy blues performances, sharp-‐dressed professionalism, and front woman Davina Sowers' commanding stage presence. The band's eclectic influences range from Fats Domino and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to Aretha Franklin and Tom Waits. Much more than just a blues act, the ensemble's shows are filled with New Orleans charm, Memphis soul swagger, tender gospel passages, and dark theatrical moments that evoke Kurt Weill. Sower's voice and stage presence have been compared to Etta James, Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin, Billie Holiday, and Betty Boop. Similarities aside, Sowers is a true original. The rollicking quintet averages over 245 performances a year, and have played at blues festivals in Canada, Romania, Switzerland and Finland, also appearing at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and Monterey Jazz Festival. Davina and the Vagabonds has shared the stage with The Roots, Aaron Neville, Los Lonely Boys, Booker T and The MGs, Pinetop Perkins, Robert Cray, and many others. The group's focused, clean sound and emphasis on acoustic instrumentation are novel to both the blues and jazz worlds, and are strikingly displayed on their latest recording, 2014's Sunshine. davinaandthevagabonds.com Sultans of String Sun, Aug 9 "The Stage" Stage JUNO Award nominees and "Canada's ambassadors of musical diversity", Sultans of String thrill their audiences with their global sonic tapestry of Spanish Flamenco, Arabic folk, Cuban rhythms, and French Manouche Gypsy-‐jazz, while celebrating musical fusion and human creativity with warmth and virtuosity. Sultans of String is riding a wave of success from their sold out Canadian album release tours, quadruple nominations for the 2012 Canadian Folk Music Awards, winning World Group of the Year, and their albums, Yalla Yalla! and Move, soaring to #1 across Canada on Top Ten national radio charts. Touring as a duo to a quintet, the ensemble has performed around the world at festivals and venues including the Celtic Connections Festival, Birdland jazz Club, Mariposa Folk Festival, National Arts Centre, and performing with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at Roy Thompson Hall. Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient, the six-‐string violinist/bandleader Chris McKhool draws from a collective of master musicians to bring Sultans of String to community, festival, and school-‐age audiences around the world. Sultans of String includes amazing musical friends such as guitarists Kevin Laliberté (Jesse Cook, The Chieftains) and Eddie Paton (Robert Michaels), bass master Drew Birston (Chantal Kreviazuk), and Cuban master percussionists Chendy Leon and Alberto Suarez. sultansofstring.com Quinn Deveaux Sun, Aug 9 Alaska Airlines Big Easy Stage
Vocalist Quinn DeVeaux has packed houses and astounded audiences in the Bay Area for years with his smooth, soulful voice and cool, melodic songwriting. His acclaimed Blue Beat Review has been thrilling San Francisco's lovers of rollicking R&B for years. DeVeaux has combined the influences of his early Chicago blues band with New Orleans soul and gospel music in the Blue Beat Review, a self-‐styled crossroads for his many musical roots. With all the subtlety of the great soul and blues singers of the past, DeVeaux and his bright ensemble keeps audiences in a state of joy. The modern soul songs of the vocalist are sung in his sweet tenor over a spare guitar or carried by his band's bright tones. In making old tones new, DeVeaux & The Blue Beat Review have created a singular sound filled with confident swagger and warm grit. quinndeveaux.com Wee Willie Walker Sun, Aug 9 Alaska Airlines Big Easy Stage Wee Willie Walker's music comes from a different time, a different place and a different point of view. He's one of the few deep soul vocalists from the golden era still standing -‐-‐ and still in possession of all of his innate talent and charisma. With more than five decades of experience belting out the gospel-‐soaked R&B and gritty blues that came from Memphis (his birthplace) and Chicago in the heady days of the '60s, Walker is a living tribute to a great tradition. Having started out on the gospel music circuit in the '50s and recorded for such iconic labels as Chess and Goldwax during the heyday of soul, Walker -‐-‐ who's lived most of his life in Minnesota -‐-‐ is nothing if not resilient, having performed as far away as the Netherlands and Japan. Walker recently released a brand new critically acclaimed CD, If Nothing Ever Changes, that finds the veteran vocalist applying his still-‐strong pipes to everything from original tunes to covers of songs by Bobby Rush and Eddie Hinton to the Beatles' "Help!" weewilliewalker.com Con Brio Fri, Aug 7 Kaiser Permanente Main Stage Soul/R&B band Con Brio (meaning "with spirit" in Italian), is the sum of all its parts: a lead singer determined to share his journey on the stage and in the studio with a deft ensemble paving their way to the top. Con Brio is fronted by young vocal phenom Ziek McCarter, an ultra charismatic, undeniably gifted showman who could be compared to such greats as Justin Timberlake, Prince, Maxwell, and even Michael Jackson. Channeling the influence of his father, who was tragically killed in 2011 by a police officer in East Texas, McCarter uses the stage as his sanctuary, telling his story through the lens of raw and passionate compositions. The San Francisco nightclub scene has become the breakout band's inspiration board, and they were recently hailed by San Francisco Chronicle as one of "15 Must-‐Follow Bay Area Bands". Con Brio has already graced the stage with Meshell Ndegeocello, Trombone Shorty, Fishbone and Karl Denson's Tiny Universe. Con Brio's album Kiss The Sun is sure to get music lovers with all types of musical tastes in the mood, with its mid-‐tempo burners and soulful, sensual gems. The resulting dynamic fuses pulsating rhythms, blazing guitar work, soaring horns, the warm feel of a Hammond organ, and shimmering vocals with an unforgettable stage presence rooted by a seemingly limitless energy. thebandconbrio.com Bombay Jazz Sat, Aug 8 California Theatre Stage Guitar legend Larry Coryell, George Brooks, Indian bamboo flute master Ronu Majumdar, and tabla virtuoso Aditya Kalyanpur join forces to create the finest Indian-‐inspired jazz and jazz-‐flavored raga with their ensemble, Bombay Jazz. These world music
visionaries blend the ancient improvisational art of Indian classical music with America's jazz tradition to create a soul satisfying, original music filled with rich melodies and dynamic rhythms. Bombay Jazz made their debut at the Jazz Yatra in Mumbai, India in 2003, where they received critical and popular acclaim. A whirlwind tour of Europe (21 performances, 10 countries, 23 days) and performances throughout the United States soon followed. Since their debut, Bombay Jazz has toured across the globe, solidifying the group's relentless pursuit of compositional and improvisational excellence. As one of the pioneers of jazz-‐rock, Larry Coryell has performed with superstars including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Al Di Meola. His Indian music collaborations include Hariprasad Chaurasia, Zakir Hussain, and Dr. L. Subramanium. A GRAMMY® nominee, world-‐renowned Ronu Majumdar plays the bansuri, a simple bamboo flute, with tremendous power, versatility, and virtuosity. He has performed with international superstars Pandit Ravi Shankar, George Harrison, and Ry Cooder. Considered one of the most promising torchbearers of the Punjab Gharana, Aditya Kalyanpur has had the honor of accompanying India's most outstanding concert artists including Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, and Ustad Sultan Khan. Kalyanpur teaches on the faculty of Harvard's Sangeet Music School and has worked with the Rolling Stones and saxophonist Tim Reis. georgebrooks.com/projects/bombay-‐jazz Grant Geissman & the Bop! Bang! Boom! Band Sat, Aug 8 "The Stage" Stage Grant Geissman is a guitarist and composer with 14 albums released under his own name, the latest being 2012's BOP! BANG! BOOM! Geissman also co-‐writes the music for the hit CBS series Mike & Molly, and recently concluded a 12-‐year run co-‐writing the Emmy Award-‐nominated music for the hit CBS series Two and a Half Men.
His initial stamp on pop culture came with his standout guitar solo on Chuck Mangione's 1978 instrumental hit "Feels So Good." Geissman's critically acclaimed 2009 recording Cool Man Cool featured Mangione performing with jazz legend Chick Corea on the Geissman composition "Chuck and Chick." Other special guests on Cool Man Cool included Tom Scott, Jerry Hahn, Russell Ferrante, Patrice Rushen, Mike Finnigan and Van Dyke Parks. BOP! BANG! BOOM! also featured an array of A-‐list guests, including Larry Carlton, Albert Lee, Russell Ferrante, Leland Sklar and many others. Acousticmusic.com raved about the album: "It impossibly advances the player's increasingly sophisticated techniques and cool grooves yet another step."
As a session guitarist, Geissman has recorded with such legendary artists as Quincy Jones, Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello, Van Dyke Parks, Inara George, Joanna Newsom, Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, Paula Abdul, Ringo Starr, Keiko Matsui, David Benoit, Placido Domingo, Luis Miguel, Julio Iglesias and many others. With regard to the wide stylistic diversity in his music, Geissman says, "It's not about having a master plan, but about writing, recording and playing music that excites and inspires me." grantgeissman.com Doug Beavers' Titánes del Trombón Fri, Aug 7 Salsa Stage GRAMMY® Award winner and trombone master Doug Beavers is widely recognized as a cutting-‐edge trombonist, composer, and arranger. His new release, Titánes del Trombón, honors fellow trombone greats of the jazz and Latin idioms while highlighting his own skills as an orchestrator. This brilliant album reflects the heritage of trombone luminaries such as J.J. Johnson, Barry Rogers and Slide Hampton. Beavers brought in a battery of horn players -‐-‐ including fellow trombonists Conrad Herwig, Luis Bonilla, Reynaldo Jorge and Rey David Alejandre -‐-‐ plus several vocalists, orchestral instrumentalists and an ace rhythm section. Across his career, Beavers has performed with and arranged for the likes of Eddie Palmieri, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Rosemary Clooney, Paul Simon and countless others. In addition to receiving several orchestral commissions, the composer has released three solo projects, the most recent of which peaked at #33 on the Jazzweek national radio charts.
A strong advocate for music education, Doug Beavers has served as an adjunct professor, lecturer, and advisor at prominent institutions including the Manhattan School of Music and California State University, East Bay. He's also established the Harlem School of Urban Music and Recording Arts, enabling urban students of Harlem and the South Bronx to study urban jazz, salsa, hip hop and rock. dougbeavers.com The Anton Schwartz Quintet Sun, Aug 9 Silicon Valley Stage Saxophonist Anton Schwartz has earned a national name for his big tone, smart compositions and soulful improvisations. Each of Schwartz's five CDs has earned sterling reviews and strong airplay; his most recent release, Flash Mob, was one of the 25 most played albums of 2014 on jazz radio and one of DownBeat Magazine's "Best CDs of 2014." Tutored by such greats as Warne Marsh and Eddie Daniels, in high school Schwartz formed a group with future stars Peter Bernstein and Larry Goldings, and appeared in concert with Lionel Hampton and Woody Herman. After earning a B.A. in Mathematics and Philosophy at Harvard, Schwartz put music on the back burner for several years, but in 1995 he jumped back in, steadily building his reputation in the Bay Area and later Seattle, where he moved five years ago. During his career, Schwartz -‐-‐ who is also a respected educator -‐-‐ has won over listeners and critics, performing at some of the highest-‐profile jazz venues across the country. He played an hour-‐long concert of solo saxophone at the 2013 San Francisco Jazz Festival, and was featured as a soloist with the Boston Pops in Symphony Hall in 2014. No less a giant than the late saxist Illinois Jacquet said of Schwartz that he "plays the tenor sax like it's meant to be played." antonjazz.com Gail Dobson and the Dobson Family Band Sun, Aug 9 Silicon Valley Stage Celebrated vocalist, educator, and recording artist Gail Dobson presents Fest favorite the Dobson Family Band, a musical team whose members have been featured at Summer Fest from the event's inception. They celebrate the late jazz pianist Smith Dobson, whose work spans over five decades in the Bay Area. Drawing from the "Dobson Songbook" and the vocalist's recent album How Fragile We Are, the ensemble celebrates an extensive Bay Area musical legacy. A celebrated San Francisco singer on the scene since the late '60s and '70s, Dobson was often heard at renowned venues including the Purple Onion and hungry I. After meeting late jazz pianist Smith Dobson, the pair married, creating a family and musical dynasty that is still going strong today. Over the past 30 years, the vocalist has been heavily involved in music education, both as a vocal coach and in supporting programs and schools throughout the Bay Area, including Music in Schools Today, Santa Cruz School District, and Stanford Jazz Workshop. The daughter of Gail and Smith, Sasha Dobson has established a thriving career in New York City. After releasing The Darkling Thrush (2005) and Modern Romance (2006, she began playing in dive bars with her friend Norah Jones, who invited Sasha to join her on tour. Dobson's most recent album, Aquarius (2013), was recorded with guitarist/producer Joel Hamilton (Black Keys, Tom Waits, Sparklehorse) and hailed by MAGNET as "raw and compelling." She and her band performed at Farm Aid 2013 and Dobson opened for Willie Nelson on a series of early 2014 dates. Her brother Smith Dobson V is an accomplished drummer and vibraphonist, who's studied with Eddie Marshall and Bobby Hutcherson. gaildobson.com Natalie Cressman Sat, Aug 8 Silicon Valley Stage
Young trombonist, composer, and vocalist Natalie Cressman has combined the full range of her sonic influences into a startlingly mature and original voice. Melding the sophistication of modern jazz with captivating storytelling and intoxicating melodies reminiscent of indie rocks' most distinctive songwriters, Cressman has worked with Phish's celebrated guitarist Trey Anastasio and saxophonist Peter Apfelbaum. Cressman has spent a vast majority of the last four years touring the jam band circuit with Anastasio while also performing with jazz luminaries Nicholas Payton and Wycliffe Gordon. Raised in San Francisco by parents Sandy Cressman, a jazz vocalist immersed in the traditions of Brazilian music, and Jeff Cressman, a recording engineer, trombonist, and longtime member of Santana, Cressman was constantly surrounded by a vast array of music. She's collaborated with Uruguayan percussionist Edgardo Cambon Y Orquesta Candela, Pete Escovedo's Latin Jazz Orchestra, and Jai Uttal and the Pagan Love Orchestra. The diverse experiences and inspiration she's garnered from these renowned bandleaders' boundary-‐blurring approaches has resulted in a distinct sound of her own that defies categorization, but is instantly recognizable. Cressman's versatility and enthusiasm for new music has propelled her toward a rich musical career, exemplified by her jazz-‐oriented debut, Unfolding, and her more song-‐based sophomore album, Turn the Sea. nataliecressman.com Sylvia Cuenca New York Quartet Sat, Aug 8 Silicon Valley Stage Sylvia Cuenca is a skillful, hard-‐swinging post-‐bop/hard-‐bop jazz drummer best known for her extensive collaboration with trumpeter/flügelhornist Clark Terry and the late tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson. Cuenca's spirited performance style is on full display in the Sylvia Cuenca New York Quartet. Now based in New York City, native San Josean Cuenca has performed and toured internationally with renowned jazz luminaries including Billy Taylor, Eddie Henderson, Gary Bartz, and Kenny Barron. She can also be heard on recordings with Clark Terry, Ron McClure, Ted Curson, and The Vienna Art Orchestra, among others. As a bandleader, Cuenca recently performed with her own group at the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center. Her independent releases, The Crossing and Exit 13 have received great critical acclaim, including a song from the latter album being featured on HBO's ''Sex and the City''. An educator and clinician, Sylvia Cuenca has worked with the Sisters in Jazz Program, Jazz for Teens Program, and is a staff member at the Stanford Jazz Workshop. At the beginning of her career, the drummer had received jazz performance grants from the National Endowment of the Arts, and was a semi-‐finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Drum Competition. sylviacuenca.com Sonex Fri, Aug 7 Salsa Stage Venue Hailing from Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico and formed in 2005, Sonex plays Mexican son jarocho roots music with a contemporary touch. The band fuses elements of traditional African, Afro-‐Peruvian and Venezuelan music with a wide variety of genres including flamenco, salsa, jazz, funk, hip hop, rock and reggae. Sonex was honored to win a National Geographic Channel contest as a commemoration of Earth Day. Their song "Sobre tus Aguas" was selected among more than 11,500 competitors. Building upon Mexican folkloric traditions, Sonex injects many new influences into their mix, as evidenced on their 2007 self-‐titled album. The group has performed at many festivals in Mexico, the U.S. and abroad, from Haiti to Russia. They are presently preparing a new album, which once again unites their respect for traditions with an eye on the future. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonex_(band) Jesus Diaz presents "Rumba Cubana (A Cuban Rumba)" Fri, Aug 7 Salsa Stage
Jesus Diaz y Su QBA combines funk, jazz, rumba, son and Afro-‐Cuban elements into a modern expression of Cuban music that packs any dance floor. Founded by Cuban-‐born percussionist Diaz after arriving from Havana in 1980, Su QBA was among the first timba bands to emerge in the U.S. Their album Jardiniero was released in 2003. One of the most in-‐demand performers and studio musicians worldwide, Diaz is ubiquitous on the Bay Area music scene and has contributed to the richness and worldwide expansion of Latin jazz. He has performed, toured and recorded with major name artists including Carlos Santana, Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby Womack, Pete Escovedo, Sheila E. and Andy Narrell. He has also appeared with renowned Cuban artists such as Issac Delgado and Manolin "El Medico de La Salsa," demonstrating that timba is indeed alive and well in the United States. As an educator, Diaz has participated in several prominent clinics and workshops and contributed to various instructional books and videos. Among these projects is a wonderful collaboration called Talking Drums, featuring Tower of Power drummer David Garibaldi and master percussionist Michael Spiro. diazjesus.com Le Boeuf Brothers Sat, Aug 8 Silicon Valley Stage The Le Boeuf Brothers have developed an energetic sound that is intelligent, hip, and relevant by fusing their firm jazz roots with a fresh, forward-‐thinking blend of indie-‐rock, classical, and electronic music. Identical twin brothers Remy and Pascal Le Boeuf (saxophone and piano) are best known for their innovative compositional projects. The duo, originally from Santa Cruz and now established in New York City, have raised their prominent musical voices as both performers and composers. In addition to being the youngest to ever receive the ASCAP/IAJE Commission in honor of Quincy Jones in 2004, Remy received a New Jazz Works grant from Chamber Music America to write a series of pieces for the Le Boeuf Brothers and the Myth String Quartet based on the short stories of Franz Kafka. Additionally, the brothers received an Astral Grant from the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, and were awarded first place in the International Songwriting Competition. On their albums In Praise of Shadows and Le Boeuf Brothers Remixed, the twins expand upon the jazz tradition by continuing to sculpt their compositions after the initial recording process, using modern production techniques, sampling, and layered arranging and recording methods. Le Boeuf Brothers are inspired by the fact that their remix work lays the foundation for new ideas in the jazz realm for the next generation of jazz innovation. leboeufbrothers.com Jamie Dubberly and Orquesta Dharma Sun, Aug 9 Salsa Stage Jamie Dubberly is a first-‐call trombonist, composer, arranger and educator who has established a strong reputation within the Bay Area jazz and Latin music communities. A versatile performer and arranger, Dubberly formed Orquesta Dharma in 2008 to record original Afro-‐Cuban jazz material. Three years later, having already begun to develop a highly distinctive sound, the band released its debut album Road Warrior, solidly in the tradition of such Latin jazz legends as Poncho Sanchez, Cal Tjader and Eddie Palmieri, but also looking forward. Critical praise for the album was immediate, and it went on to win Latin Jazz Corner's "Next Generation Album of the Year" honors in 2011. Dubberly and company recently released La Clave del Gumbo, which features a lineup similar to that of Road Warrior, with the addition of tuba. The new album combines the rhythms and sounds of New Orleans brass bands with Afro-‐Cuban jazz, salsa and soul. Guest artists include fellow trombonist Wayne Wallace plus Karl Perazzo, NYC-‐based sonero Willy Torres, Pacific Mambo Orchestra co-‐leaders Christian Tumalan and Steffen Kuehn, vocalist Joe Bagale and many others. Early critical reaction has been
overwhelmingly positive, with All About Jazz noting that "La Clave Del Gumbo is brimming with brassy allure, swaggering rhythms and exciting offshoots." The band's unique low horn section sound of trombone and baritone saxophone, combined with the powerful and driving rhythm section of three percussionists, piano and bass, make for, in the words of Latin Beat magazine, "a combination that is amazing, producing a distinctively refreshing and powerful sound." orquestadharma.com Aaron Lington Quintet Plays the Music of Burt Bacharach Sat, Aug 8 Cafe Stritch Stage After three successful years of re-‐imagining the music of Sting, Stevie Wonder, and most recently Paul Simon, GRAMMY® Award-‐winning baritone saxophonist and composer Aaron Lington will present new arrangements of the classic works of one of the most successful American songwriters, Burt Bacharach. The band will feature Aaron Lington, baritone saxophone; Steffen Kuehn, trumpet; Dahveed Behroozi, piano; John Shifflett, bass; and Greg Wyser-‐Pratt, drums. Lington notes, ''I decided to do the music of Bacharach because of his jazz influenced harmonies, and the immense public appeal of his tunes, which usually does not go hand in hand.'' Lington is a performing member and composer/arranger for 2014 GRAMMY®-‐winner Pacific Mambo Orchestra, a 20 piece, San Francisco-‐based musical group leading the rebirth of the Latin big band Sound. The orchestra uses the traditions of the classic mambo-‐craze orchestras of the 1950s to deliver their original music and clever, modern arrangements of classic songs. This elite group of the Bay Area's finest musicians was voted as the Best Band of the ''2014 Best of the Bay'' in the San Francisco Guardian Reader's Poll. Six-‐time GRAMMY® Award winner Burt Bacharach is one of the most accomplished popular composers of the 20th Century. In the 60s and 70s, he was a dominant figure in pop music, racking up a remarkable 52 Top 40 hits. Combining elements of jazz, pop, Brazilian music and rock, Bacharach created a unique new sound that embodied the time. Hal David, Bacharach's primary collaborator, supplied Bacharach's music with lyrics worthy of the best Tin Pan Alley composers. aaronlington.com Plena Libre Sun, Aug 9 California Theatre Stage Four-‐time GRAMMY® nominees Plena Libre has captivated and moved audiences over the course of their eighteen-‐year, thirteen-‐album career. This fine-‐tuned 12-‐piece Puerto Rican ensemble of virtuoso musicians has only gotten better with age, serving as the torch bearers of Puerto Rico's plena and bomba. Plena Libre infuses their contemporary Caribbean compositions with a deep sense of the unique indigenous musical traditions that developed on the island over a century ago. The ensemble features five vocalists singing in lush three and four part harmonies. With an aggressive, tight, yet sensitive style that balances the traditional with the contemporary, the global and the local, Plena Libre creates a brand of music and live performance that is both profoundly Puerto Rican and universally appealing. Using the straight two-‐beat of the plena, the simple elegance of plena rhythms reflect the inclusive spirit of the music and encourages audiences to dance with carefree abandon. Dance is a vital component of Plena Libre's live performances, with their concerts featuring elaborate, visually stunning and carefully crafted choreography. With these enticing Afro-‐Caribbean grooves, Plena Libre has been able to break cultural barriers around the globe, thrilling fans from the Fez Festival in Morocco to the Playboy Jazz Festival. plenalibre.com Bria Skonberg Sun, Aug 9 California Theatre Stage
Award-‐winning trumpeter, vocalist, and composer Bria Skonberg is a fast-‐rising star on the contemporary jazz scene. First known for her knowledge of classic jazz and instigative nature, she is now creating an adventurous style rooted in New Orleans jazz and blues, world percussion, soul, and cabaret. Hailing from Chilliwack, British Columbia, Skonberg's first professional gig came at age 16 as a big band singer, doubling on trumpet. She has since performed at over 50 jazz festivals and has headlined at Symphony Space, Birdland, Dizzy's, and Cafe Carlyle. She has performed with the likes of Nicholas Payton, Anat Cohen, Scott Robinson, and Bucky Pizzarelli. The musician has even experimented with electronic effects and presented a gig fusing jazz and stand up comedy. Bria Skonberg has recently been honored with a New York Bistro Award as ''Outstanding Jazz Artist'' and swept the 2014 Hot House Jazz Magazine Awards in all categories nominated: Best Jazz Artist, Best Trumpet, Best Female Vocalist, and Best Group for the Bria Skonberg Quartet. Skonberg is an active volunteer at the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Corona, Queens and co-‐producer of the New York Hot Jazz Festival. Her debut U.S. release, 2012's So Is The Day, peaked at #7 on the Jazz Radio Charts. Her latest album, Into Your Own, was released in 2014. briaskonberg.com Will Sessions Sat, Aug 8 Jazz Beyond Stage Will Sessions is a high-‐energy group from Detroit whose oeuvre runs the gamut between funk, hip hop, soul, jazz fusion, boogie, disco and soundtrack music. Originally a solo project of trumpeter Sam Beaubien, the band evolved from a rhythm section to a larger ensemble including percussion and a horn section. In addition to its own work, the group is known for its live and studio collaborations. Members of Will Sessions have teamed with a long list of artists such as Mayer Hawthorne, Eminem, KRS-‐One, George Clinton, Toots & the Maytals, the Four Tops, Aretha Franklin and the O'Jays. In 2010 Will Sessions released their Kindred LP, a tribute to the pioneers of jazz fusion. Concerts followed, utilizing the keyboard talents of Detroit funk impresario Joseph “Amp" Fiddler and drawing material from influences such as Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Weather Report, in addition to original material. They’ve also collaborated with Motown Funk Brother Dennis Coffey and Detroit rapper Elzhi. This year, the band plans to release a series of full-‐length albums including a set of original funk, Mixtakes Volume 3 & 4, and Kindred Live, a collection of live recordings taken from the Kindred concerts. Will Sessions will definitely be one of the funk highlights of this Summer Fest! willsessions.bandcamp.com Marina & The Kats Sat, Aug 8 Blues Stage Fondly referred to as the "smallest big band on the planet", Marina & The Kats revive the spirit of '40s jazz with hot grooves, enchanting melodies, driving beats, and the utterly gorgeous voice of charming Marina Zettl. What started as a leisurely encounter at the bar Kombüse (Graz, Austria) changed the course of the Marina & The Kats' creative approach. Driven by unbridled curiosity and the desire to pay tribute to swing pioneers, such as the late Django Reinhardt, the musicians formed a trio of guitar, bass, and drums, propelled by an enticingly powerful voice. Whether performing their retro swing originals or covering the likes of Queens Of The Stone Age, the group takes audiences on a ride through a nostalgic musical landscape, painted in glamorous Technicolor and accompanied by a heavenly swinging soundtrack. Marina & The Kats truly live by their slogan: Swing! Swing! Swing! marina-‐thekats.com
Tebo's Howlin' Wolf Review Sat, Aug 8 Blues Stage Accomplished producer and bassist Frank "Tebo" Thibeaux brings his signature blend of funky blues with a Zydeco twist to Tebo's Howlin' Wolf Review. Working with a vast range of artists from Herbie Hancock to MC Hammer to John Lee Hooker, Jr., the artist has earned two GRAMMY® nominations. With material from his two blues-‐inspired albums Swamp Man and State of Mind, Tebo always brings an exciting and captivating live show. facebook.com/frank.thibeaux Guitar Fest 2015 with Hristo Vitchev, Terrence Brewer & Rick Vandivier Sat, Aug 8 Silicon Valley Stage Guitar Fest 2015 presents three of the Bay Area's leading jazz guitarists on one stage -‐-‐ Hristo Vitchev, Terrence Brewer, and Rick Vandivier. Joined by a stellar rhythm section, their colorful interaction and improvisational interplay serves as a tribute to modern guitar master Pat Metheny. Bulgarian-‐born and San Francisco-‐based impressionistic chamber jazz guitarist and composer Hristo Vitchev has been called one of the newest and most innovative voices in modern jazz guitar. Captivating audiences across the globe, the musician has already released seven critically acclaimed albums as a bandleader, plus four releases as a co-‐leader. Jazz guitarist Rick Vandivier has performed with the likes of Smith Dobson, David Grisman, John Handy, Richie Cole and Dr. Lonnie Smith. A graduate of Berklee School of Music and San Jose State University, the musician also studied privately with Metheny and Mick Goodrick. Terrence Brewer is an in-‐demand bandleader, producer, performer, studio musician, and music educator. He has performed to sold-‐out crowds at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Yoshi's, and the San Francisco Jazz Festival. Brewer has also produced eight albums that have had several top ten appearances on the national jazz charts. hristovitchev.com rickvandivier.com terrencebrewer.com Fito Reinoso y su Ritmo y Armonía Sun, Aug 9 Salsa Stage For over three decades, the Cuban-‐born sonero Fito Reinoso has made the Bay Area his home, performing in a variety of styles, from the most recent urban Havana grooves to timba to the classic son and cha cha cha, all with a voice reminiscent of the late and beloved legendary Cuban singer, Beny Moré. Reinoso's dynamic personality and showmanship have led him to collaborate with top musicians including Kina Mendez (master vocalist from Spain), Mayquel Gonzalez (Cuban trumpet player with Mezcla and Irakere) and Cuban vocalist Jose Luis Gomez. As well as being a talented Cuban sonero, Reinoso is also an accomplished singer-‐songwriter. At a very young age, he began playing tres and bass in the streets of Candekaria, in the province of Pinar Del Rio. He joined Orquesta Gloria de Cuba at the age of 12. Arriving in the United States in 1980, he soon began to influence the thriving Bay Area Latin music scene. Reinoso has played with Cuban legends such as Francisco Aguabella, Armando Peraza, Carlos "Patato" Valdez and Israel Lopez "Cachao," among many others. Reinoso's band, Ritmo y Armonía, plays primarily original music in traditional Cuban styles, composed by Reinoso and inspired by contemporary Cuban rhythms. The group has performed at many renowned Bay Area venues such as Yoshi's, SFJAZZ, the Elbo Room and The Ramp. fitoreinoso.com
Egils Straume Sat, Aug 8 Cafe Stritch Stage The Latvian-‐born saxophonist Egils Straume has been passionate about music his entire life. Since studying at the Moscow State Conservatoire he has become well known internationally, performing in many countries around the world and working with such legendary jazz musicians as Joe Zawinul, Michael Brecker, Jan Garbarek, Grover Washington Jr., David Sanborn and many others. Some of Straume's work has been classified as jazz fusion, Euro-‐jazz, progressive and experimental, but his range of styles and compositions defies categorization. He has composed and performed on more than 30 albums with a multitude of different artists and in many different styles, ranging from classical concerto to straight ahead jazz. Straume has also produced numerous classical and chamber music works, music for children, and music for theatre and films. He composed, produced and performed in the world premiere of "A Shepherd Kept a Sheep on a Hill So High" for bagpipes, organ and symphony orchestra in Lincoln Cathedral in July 2004. He has also organized the Latvian International Jazz festival and the New Music Forum in Riga. toxicdrums.com/egils-‐straume.html Kim Nalley Band with special guest Kenny Washington Sat, Aug 8 "The Stage" Stage No trip to San Francisco is complete without seeing Kim Nalley perform. The San Francisco Chronicle raved, "Kim Nalley has pipes to burn and works the stage like she means it," while DownBeat praised her "irresistibly sexy sense of swing, rhythmic dexterity and beautiful sound." Nalley has graced concert halls from Moscow to Lincoln Center and is a produced playwright, former jazz club owner, accomplished stage actress, Ph.D. candidate in history at UC Berkeley and an avid lindy hop dancer. Her many philanthropic endeavors include founding the Kim Nalley Black Youth Jazz Scholarship. She has recorded several albums on both major and indie labels and has collaborated with artists such as David "Fathead" Newman, Houston Person, and Michael Tilson Thomas. It was Tilson Thomas, in fact, who discovered Nalley and hired her to sing a program of Gershwin with the San Francisco Symphony. Nalley's 3½-‐octave range slips from operatic to gritty blues on a dime, and she can scat and swing with the best of them. She has been compared to all the greats, but in the end, Kim Nalley's sound is unique -‐-‐ an unforced instrument with clarity and jazzy musicality, effortlessly delivered. Nalley will be joined by Kenny Washington, the New Orleans-‐born singer who has long called Oakland home. Often compared to such greats as Stevie Wonder, Al Green and Donny Hathaway, the gospel-‐bred Washington possesses a multi-‐octave range and is known for his liquid tone and jaw-‐dropping rapid-‐fire scat singing. The San Francisco Chronicle called him "the Superman of the Bay Area jazz scene." The explosive combo of Nalley and Washington is sure to be one of the highlights of this year's Summer Fest! kimnalley.com kennywashingtonvocalist.com Adrianna Marie and Her Groovecutters Sun, Aug 9 Blues Stage Whether she's singing a haunting, slow blues ballad or a lowdown shuffle, Adrianna Marie is a mesmerizing performer. She digs deep into blues and roots music with a sense of timing and soulful delivery that draws listeners in and leaves them spellbound. Daughter of members of the '60s folk group The Carolee Singers, her musical education began at an early age. As a small child, Marie traveled up and down the eastern seaboard with her musical parents and her desire to sing and perform began to grow.
She was influenced heavily by the sounds of the '60s and the music played in her home -‐-‐ everything from The Kingston Trio to Louis Jordan and Memphis Minnie. Top blues guitarists have accompanied Marie's eclectic folk, jazz and blues vocals, including LA Jones, Wali Ali, and John Marx. She recently lent her vocal talents on the Mannish Boys album Double Dynamite, which won the 2013 Blues Music Award for Best Traditional Blues Album. In 2012, Adrianna Marie released a self-‐titled CD on Delta Groove Records, which featured Marx, Bill Stuve, David Kida, Rand Chortkoff, Fred Kaplan, and Ron Dziubla. Other recordings include Spellcaster and Can't Change It. Adrianna Marie's latest project, Double Crossing Blues is due out July 27. adriannamarieandhergroovecutters.com Liv Slingerland Sun, Aug 9 Blues Stage Liv Slingerland, a guitarist and singer-‐songwriter based in Los Angeles, has a distinct sound inspired by a fusion of modern rock and blues. A past winner of the San Jose Jazz Youth Blues Band Competition, Slingerland's songwriting is altogether catchy, gritty, and mature. Having grown up immersed in rock n' roll, punk, and the blues, she recognizes the power of raw emotion and simplicity when coupled with great songwriting. Her music is full of a palpable angst, but with a continually maturing sound and identity well beyond her years. Slingerland has studied under guitar instructors Steve Trovato and Timothy Kobza at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music and with John Garcia at San Jose's School of Blues. She has been mentored by fellow blues guitarist J.C. Smith, who brought his protégé on stage during his San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2010 set when she was only 16. With her debut album Cherries and Candy and follow-‐up demos, Liv Slingerland continues to prove herself to be an electrifying young musician. livslingerland.com Trio Balkan Strings Sun, Aug 9 "The Stage" Stage Trio Balkan Strings (Zoran Starcevic and sons Nikola and Zeljko) creates original guitar music by fusing several Balkan styles -‐-‐ Serbian, Gypsy, Macedonian, Romanian, Moldavian, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Mediterranean and Greek -‐-‐ with jazz, Gypsy swing, classical music, asymmetrical rhythms and original guitar interpretation. The three virtuosos together make music that is rich and unconventional, fresh and spontaneous, and brimming with energy. Trio Balkan Strings creates a universal language of its own, without frontiers. The trio has invented a dazzling technique that involves all six hands of the Starcevics playing on a single guitar simultaneously. They have performed at jazz, classical, guitar and world music festivals in the U.S., Canada and virtually every European nation, also presenting educational master classes and clinics along the way. Trio Balkan Strings has won "First Prize" in the world music category of the USA Songwriting Competition and "First Prize" (Best Instrumental Ensemble) at the 2004 Internacionale Fivizzano in Italy. No less than the legendary guitarist John McLaughlin said, ''Trio Balkan Strings' dedication to the music of the Balkans and central Europe is inspiring.'' starcevic.co.rs Johnny Summers Sat, Aug 8 Cafe Stritch Stage Johnny Summers is truly a multi-‐faceted musician -‐-‐ trumpeter, singer, songwriter and arranger. Whether he’s fronting an 18-‐piece band or sitting solo in front of a piano, Summers delivers something far beyond entertainment: an unforgettable
experience. He is a master of versatility. Summers’ latest album is Piano Sessions, Volume 1, a collaboration with pianist Chris Andrew. Summers’ talent was born out of a true passion to exceed the status quo at every turn. He is continually inspired by many of the great artists he has met, from the incomparable Wynton Marsalis to the core members of Harry Connick Jr.'s band. In addition to having played and sung at various venues, Summers founded the Calgary Jazz Orchestra, the first permanent repertory large jazz ensemble in Canada, which is still going strong. Even after hundreds of concerts and years of working diligently on his craft, he still sees every performance as sacred. One of the many gifts to his audience comes in the form of expecting nothing but the best from himself and his musicians. With unparalleled influences like Stevie Wonder, John Mayer, Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra, it comes as no surprise that Johnny Summers has something to offer everyone in the room. His musical abilities are accented by his natural capacity to bring wit, soul and laughter to every show. johnnysummers.com Clint Baker Sat, Aug 8 Alaska Airlines Big Easy Stage Forming New Orleans Jazz Band in 1990, multi-‐instrumentalist Clint Baker has long been a notable member of the Northern California jazz community. Whether appearing at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival or performing by special invitation from legendary trombonist Frank Demond alongside Willie and Percy Humphrey, Baker continues to bring his traditional jazz to venues and festivals across the country. Clint Baker's New Orleans Jazz Band performed at the prestigious Monterey Jazz Festival in 1999, one of the few traditional jazz bands to ever perform at the festival, joining the ranks of Louis Armstrong and Jack Teagarden. After a hiatus in 2000 following the birth of his twins, Baker and his band returned to active playing after many requests from the Bay Area swing dance community. The band now tours festivals in the US and Canada extensively, and was voted one of the top five Favorite New (Emerging) Jazz Bands in the Mississippi Rag Trad Jazz and Ragtime Poll. Clint Baker was also voted one of the top three Favorite New (Emerging) Musicians. clintbakerjazz.com Wally Schnalle's IF3 Sat, Aug 8 Cafe Stritch Stage Wally Schnalle is well known in the Bay Area music scene, an explosive drummer who moves seamlessly from a straight-‐ahead pocket to experimental fusion. IF3 -‐-‐ an offshoot of Schnalle's Idiot Fish group -‐-‐ is a new iteration of the electronic outfit that features Schnalle on drums and electronics, Hristo Vitchev on guitar and Dan Robbins on bass. The trio is evidence of the further evolution of Schnalle's technological and compositional, boundary-‐pushing style. Schnalle's compositions are fueled by the best of fusion traditions, yet they are fresh and forward-‐looking. He also uses the latest computer technology to achieve a dream he has been striving to realize for decades: playing harmonic content as well as other sounds directly from his usual acoustic drum set. Intriguing compositions, virtuosic soloists and cutting-‐edge tech come together to create an intriguing musical experience complete with projected audio reactive visuals. All About Jazz has said, "Schnalle nourishes an integrated field of sound that at once evokes '70s nostalgia and progressive futurism," while criticaljazz.com noted, "Wally Schnalle has created a new level of sound for the next generation. Stunning!" itrhymes.com Christian Pepin y Su Orquesta Bembé Sat, Aug 8 Salsa Stage
San Francisco salsa sensation Orquesta Bembé was formed by GRAMMY® Award-‐winning percussionist Christian Pepin and pianist Erick Peralta. A 10-‐piece band with the elegant sophistication of a large orchestra, the ensemble brings a unique sound inspired by salsa, Latin jazz, tropical, and traditional Cuban and Puerto Rican music. Orquesta Bembé has been taking the Bay Area by storm, with fans and critics raving about their high-‐energy performances. The band's unique approach brings a global edge to timeless salsa, infused with styles and rhythms reflecting the vast musical experiences of its members. Musical multi-‐linguist and GRAMMY® Award-‐winner Christian Pepin is a versatile musician, who embodies the soul of a percussionist. From his supersonic slaps to the thunderous open tones and heavy hitting bass notes, Pepin shows perceptiveness and adoration for Latin music. Pepin has performed and recorded with the likes of Poncho Sanchez, Tommy Igoe, Sheila E., the Seattle Symphony and the famed Spanish Harlem Orchestra. Touring extensively across the globe, Pepin has appeared at the Curacao North Sea Jazz Festival, La Paz Festival Jazz International, the Fillmore Jazz Festival and countless other venues. pepinproductions.com/#!orquesta-‐bembe/c23d9/ Louie Romero y Mazacote Sun, Aug 9 Salsa Stage Mazacote is the hard-‐swinging, old school salsa group of legendary percussionist Louie Romero. Based in San Francisco, the ensemble plays a crowd-‐pleasing, high-‐energy mixture of classic salsa favorites and original Latin jazz tunes. Praised by Latin Beat magazine as "one of the premier salsa ensembles in Northern California," Mazacote plays music that is altogether a soulful and danceable mixture of salsa, cha cha, Latin jazz, Cuban guajira and bomba. The band has gained fans across the Bay Area who are moved by Mazacote's energy, musicianship and mastery of the style. Founder Louie Romero came to fans' attention as the longtime timbales player for famed salsero "El Cantante" Hector Lavoe. Romero is also renowned for his work with Willie Colón, Rubén Blades, Celia Cruz, Miles Davis alum Ron Carter and many other music icons in his native New York. The percussionist has appeared on five gold and two platinum records over his extensive and storied career. mazacote.com Conjunto Karabali Sat, Aug 8 Salsa Stage Conjunto Karabali is another of the Bay Area’s best, smoking hot Latin dance bands. Featuring some of the finest talent in the Latin music field, this ensemble is full of hard-‐driving swing and joyful energy. Conjunto Karabali is led by two of the country's most renowned percussionists, GRAMMY® Award nominees Michael Spiro and Karl Perazzo, who have joined forces to create an ensemble geared specifically for the dancer's enjoyment. Described as "old school" salsa, Conjunto Karabali brings the Bay Area its first taste of the traditional New York conjunto sound, popularized by the likes of Johnny Pacheco, Conjunto Clasico and Conjunto Libre. Members of Conjunto Karabali have worked with a wide range of celebrated A-‐list artists including Carlos Santana, Mariah Carey, Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Herbie Hancock and many others. With its high caliber of musicianship, the band brings authentic top-‐tier excitement to every performance. facebook.com/pages/Conjunto-‐Karabali/51072434144 Braulio Barrera y Somos El Son Sat, Aug 8 Salsa Stage
Somos el Son is a Bay Area salsa orchestra led by the master Peruvian percussionist, singer, composer and dancer Braulio Barrera. Launched in 2013 and quickly becoming one of the Bay Area's hottest salsa orchestras, the band combines classic material with original compositions designed to make dancers move! Barrera, has been perfecting his craft since the age of 5, when he discovered his passion for music and taught himself how to play various percussion instruments, including cajon, claves, bongo, congas and other African drums. Turning professional at 19, Barrera composed jingles for various Peruvian commercials, then joined Acuarela Criolla (1992-‐1996), a musical group and percussion school inspired by Peruvian cajon experts Eusebio Sirio Pititi and Ronny Campos. He also became part of Peruvian singer Cecilia Barraza's ensemble, with which he traveled throughout Europe, Costa Rica, and the U.S. Since moving to California in 2000, Barrera has performed with various Peruvian dance companies and salsa bands, including Chino Espinoza, Tabaco Eron, and the Grammy®-‐winning Pacific Mambo Orchestra. In 2004, he contributed to the Motorcycle Diaries soundtrack and in 2007 he performed salsa for the NBC film, Cane. In Somos el Son, Barrera has selected the perfect collection of musicians to form a powerful ensemble. The orchestra regularly performs at salsa venues and events across the Bay Area, bringing their energetic, dynamic show to such places as Café Cocomo, Club Milano and The Agenda Lounge. somoselson.com Marcus Wolfe Sun, Aug 6 YP Gordon Biersch Stage Dr. Marcus Wolfe's sound on the tenor saxophone might be described as a combination of that of his biggest influences, Stan Getz and Eddie Harris. A relative newcomer to the Bay Area, Dr. Wolfe is the Director of Jazz Studies at the Valley Christian Conservatory of the Arts in San Jose. The Valley Christian Jazz Band was named the "Best High School Jazz Band" by DownBeat magazine. Dr. Wolfe is the recipient of three Down Beat jazz awards and as a leader has released two CDs on the Nojoh label. He has performed professionally throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and the Middle East and is an active freelance saxophonist in many major urban centers of the U.S. Additionally, Wolfe is the author of a method book titled ROLLPLAY -‐-‐ Strength Training for Fundamental to Advanced Technique On All Instruments. He is an Advisory Board Member of the Boise Jazz Society and the Gene Harris Jazz Festival, and previously worked with the Great Basin Jazz Camp. Bob Schulz Frisco Jazz Band Sat, Aug 8 YP Gordon Biersch Stage Bandleader, vocalist and cornetist Bob Schulz is the foremost exponent of the Bob Scobey trumpet style and is an outstanding vocalist in the tradition of Clancy Hayes. Leading the Bob Schulz Frisco Jazz Band, the musician draws upon years of performing in the Dixieland jazz tradition. He has released several albums with the band and appeared on dozens more with other collaborators. Schulz earned his chops in the service, with the Army National Guard 32nd Division Band. Forming the Riverboat Ramblers, the ensemble played pop, traditional jazz and Dixieland, which was the musician's first introduction to the style. A school band director for 17 years before joining the legendary Turk Murphy Jazz Band of San Francisco, Schulz's eight years with the ensemble included 300 taped radio shows, countless albums, tours of the United States and Europe, and a Carnegie Hall tribute to Murphy. The musician performs at many festivals across the country in cities including San Francisco, New York, Atlanta and Chicago, as well as performing around the Bay Area. A well-‐respected educator, Schulz still teaches on occasion, working with the San Diego Adult Traditional Jazz Camp and other local organizations. bobschulzjazz.com
Dave Haskell Sat, Aug 8 YP Gordon Biersch Stage Guitarist Dave Haskell's stealth status over the past two decades isn't hard to explain. He's spent most of that time on the move as a commercial pilot. Before Haskell took to the air, he was a widely respected improviser at the center of the San Francisco jazz scene, a versatile, blues-‐drenched player often heard as a sideman and bandleader at high-‐profile venues like Keystone Korner. Now that he's hung up his wings, Haskell is once again making waves on the Bay Area scene, working with a superlative group. With his lean, fluid tone, clean attack and simmering sense of swing, Haskell is picking up his music career where he left off back in the mid-‐80s. Born into a jazz-‐loving San Francisco family, Haskell soaked up the sounds of Duke Ellington and Count Basie. He credits the Beatles' invasion of America with turning him onto the guitar, and he soon discovered the straight-‐ahead jazz artistry of guitarists like Wes Montgomery, Howard Roberts and Barney Kessel. Haskell took to Chicago blues, joining the band of fellow guitarist Robben Ford, and he has since worked with a number of great keyboardists including Jeff Lorber, Smith Dobson, Mark Soskin and Greg Karukas. Haskell also fronted his own bands including the Dave Haskell Group and Rush Hour. Burned out on the music scene, Haskell decided to parlay his experience as amateur pilot into a full-‐time profession. After years of neglecting his musical gifts, however, Haskell bought himself a nylon-‐string guitar in the late '90s, and slowly started getting in touch with old musical friends. Now, his new CD Pivot Point, produced by world-‐renowned bassist Jimmy Haslip of the Yellowjackets, is yet another inflection in his lifetime journey. davehaskelljazz.com Rumbaché Sun, Aug 9 Salsa Stage Rumbaché is the voice of youth in San Francisco's salsa scene. Fronted by the Grammy®-‐winning timbalero Omar Ledezma Jr., Rumbaché is a hard-‐hitting group that blends interpretations of the classic Cuban repertoire with fresh originals, fusing salsa, timba, bomba, funk and whatever else they find to spice up the mood. Ledezma, originally from Caracas, Venezuela, made a bold move to Boston and studied at the esteemed Berklee College of Music. After making the rounds there and in New York City, he moved to the Bay Area in 2005. Since then Ledezma has become a first-‐call percussionist and is also a member of the famed Pacific Mambo Orchestra. Rumbaché (formally known as Quimbombó) has gradually worked their way into becoming a regular attraction within the Bay Area salsa scene, leading a rigorous schedule of performances that ignite enthusiasm in dancers and musical connoisseurs alike. And with their 2011 debut album, Llego La Fiesta, the band's reputation now extends far beyond its California home base. rumbache.com The Hitmen Sat, Aug 8 YP Gordon Biersch Stage Bay Area septet The Hitmen has been delivering high-‐energy funk and R&B dance music to audiences at benefits, festivals, fairs, concerts, nightclubs, corporate events and other venues for over 20 years. The group has performed with the likes of Cameo, the Ohio Players, ConFunkShun, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, Pete Escovedo and with members of Santana and Tower of Power. The unique musical backgrounds and experiences of the seven-‐piece band, combined with their undeniable creative abilities, meet up in a dance party that transcends musical boundaries. The Hitmen play a variety of classics from the '70s (by such greats as James Brown, War and the Commodores) and modern-‐day favorites, and they have become the unofficial band for KISS 98.1 FM -‐-‐ "Classic Soul and the best of Modern R&B." thehitmen.com
Ron Scott Fri, Aug 7 YP Gordon Biersch Stage Ron Scott didn't start playing the piano until age 24 and a full decade passed until he formed his first band. That late start has allowed him to approach his music with an open mind, the result being a sound that incorporates not only urban jazz but also smooth and funky elements, including spicy Latin rhythms and R&B. The keyboardist, who is also a songwriter -‐-‐ and his band, The 650 Connection -‐-‐ have opened for and played with artists such as American Idol's Latoya London, Chaka Khan, the Temptations, the Whispers, Lenny Williams, Lakeside, Regina Belle, El Chicano, the DeBarges, Billy Preston and the O'Jays. His influences run the gamut from keyboard greats George Duke and Jeff Lorber to the jazz giants like Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk and Charlie Parker. Scott's first recording project, The Connection, came together in his salon lounge at 650 South Winchester Blvd., San Jose. He went on to release Midnight Strut in 2006. Most recently he has re-‐emerged as a solo artist and has just finished his third CD, a solo project called Ron Scott in the Keys of Love, which integrates an array of genres ranging from samba to funky jazz, smooth jazz, fusion, Afro-‐Cuban and R&B. ronscottjazz.com VibraSON Sat, Aug 8 Salsa Stage VibraSON is widely recognized as the Bay Area's newest salsa and Latin jazz band, playing both classic and contemporary favorites. Dancers and listeners alike cannot resist the driving rhythms of these genres, or the alluring sound of the vibraphone. Formed in 2013 with a desire to thrill Bay Area audiences, the style of music that VibraSON plays was popularized in the '60s and '70s by renowned artists including Joe Cuba, Bloque53 and Jimmy Sabater's New Swing Sextet. Bringing forth the enchantment of the vibraphone and the irresistibly hot rhythms of salsa, it is music for the ages that lives on. This amazingly talented group of musicians brings over 150 years of musical experience together to revive the sounds of salsa and Latin jazz. The ensemble plays continuously around the Bay Area, including high-‐profile performances to audiences of thousands at the Redwood City Salsa Festival and San Francisco International Salsa Festival, opening for Tito Rojas. vibrasonmusic.com Synchroncity Fri, Aug 7 YP Gordon Biersch Stage Synchronicity is a group of nine alumni from various Bay Area big bands, in the tradition of Kai Winding, J.J. Johnson, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones. Calling themselves a "classical jazz ensemble" and "a little brass big band," Synchronicity is led by flugelhornist Jerry Kroth, a professor at Santa Clara University. Other members of the group -‐-‐ which includes no less than four trombonists, as well as baritone saxophone, piano, bass and drums -‐-‐ attended or have been employed by other local educational institutions, including San Jose State University. Synchronicity's eclectic repertoire includes their own arrangements of classics such as "West Coast Blues," "Whistle While You Work," "Sunrise Sunset," "All Blues" and "My Favorite Things." San Jose Jazz Summer Fest All Star Big Band Sun, Aug 9 YP Gordon Biersch Stage The San Jose Jazz Summer Fest All Star Big Band is a veritable "who's who" of San Francisco Bay Area jazz musicians, led by Gordon Biersch founder Dan Gordon. Formed to help keep the big band legacy alive, their repertoire features classic and modern compositions from several illustrious composers such as Bill Holman, Slide Hampton, Bob Florence, Horace Silver, Thad Jones, Tom Kubis and Gordon Goodwin.
Members of the San Jose Jazz Summer All Star Big Band have played with local, national and internationally acclaimed performers and groups such as Dizzy Gillespie, Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman, Arturo Sandoval, Michael Feinstein, Sheila E., the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Huey Lewis, Seal, the Temptations, Gladys Knight, Pacific Mambo Orchestra and the Jazz Mafia. Legally Blue Sat, Aug 8 YP Gordon Biersch Stage Legally Blue's authentic sound comes from rare, vintage guitar amps, a classic Hammond B3 organ, and the soulful voice of Joanne Wegener. Formed in 2010, the group brings together five talented musicians from Northern California: Wegener, John Keating, Mike West, Chris Wilder, and Aart de Geus. Alone, each member has performed in different groups, nationally and internationally; but together they are joined by their love of music and the blues. Mixing original and classic blues standards with their own surprises, Legally Blue creates a nostalgic sound that's impossible to sit still to. legallyblue.com Round Midnight Sat, Aug 8 YP Gordon Biersch Stage Round Midnight, a four-‐piece instrumental jazz ensemble, was formed by four musicians who wished to play their own style of jazz and jazz fusion. Based in San Jose, the musicians have played together for years in Top 40 and vocal bands, and now bring their own stylings to the game. Formed in 2004, Round Midnight has been playing clubs, parties and festivals consistently ever since. The ensemble released their first album, 2010's We'll be Right Back, featuring original compositions and jazz standards. The band enjoys playing with an emphasis on spontaneity and improvisation. With soulful renditions of such iconic artists as Van Morrison, Round Midnight is not to be missed. Jessica Johnson Fri, Aug 7 YP Gordon Biersch Stage Bay Area vocalist and songwriter Jessica Johnson has the audience held in the palm of her hand from the moment she walks on stage. With her rich, sultry voice and R&B stylings, she will melt your heart. Johnson has had a love for music since she can remember. She began formal vocal training at a young age and went on to compete in every Bay Area competition she could find, garnering an impressive array of awards. As an adolescent, the vocalist started singing the national anthem for the San Jose Sharks, which led to her singing the anthem for every notable professional sports organization on the West Coast, including the San Francisco 49ers and the San Jose Earthquakes at their recently completed new stadiums. Johnson has been featured at countless venues up and down the West Coast, including previous editions of the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest. Her debut album Till it Happens to You can be found on iTunes. Johnson's 2014 crowd funding campaign has fueled her current recording project, which will result in three EPs to be released later in 2015. jessicajohnsononline.com Greg Johnson Sat, Aug 8 YP Gordon Biersch Stage Saxophonist Greg Johnson is a promising young figure on the jazz scene. Equally at home in multiple genres, he has developed a unique musical style that combines jazz, classical, and pop music into something uniquely new.
Johnson has appeared in concert and on mainstream recordings with jazz greats including Curtis Fuller, Billy Taylor, Dick Oatts, Jay Anderson, Alan Pasqua, Peter Erskine, and Bob Mintzer. He has appeared on stage with pop and rock & roll acts such as Saint Motel, Robin Thicke, and Barry Manilow. As a composer, Greg Johnson's music has been heard and performed around the world in both jazz and classical contexts. He currently resides in Los Angeles where he serves as Interim Professor of Music at the University of Southern California. Johnson has released three of his own recordings -‐-‐ Invisible, GJ3, and City People, and has contributed to dozens more. gregjohnsonjazz.com Mason Razavi's Quartet Plus Sun, Aug 9 Silicon Valley Stage Bay Area jazz guitarist Mason Razavi brings to Summer Fest an evocative jazz aesthetic featured on his latest release, Quartet Plus. A longtime composer, educator, and bandleader rooted in jazz, Razavi's diverse musical background inspires compositions that are altogether innovative. The gifted musician has devoted his life and studies to classical and jazz guitar, offering his introspective playing to settings ranging from rock bands to accompanying concert choirs to classical solo performances. Razavi has performed at the Wilshire Ebell Theater, Paradise Rock Club, the San Jose Repertory Theater, as well as countless other venues as both a sideman and bandleader. An avid educator, Razavi joined the faculty at De Anza College in 2014 and has conducted clinics for San Jose State University, South Bay Guitar Society, and the Vancouver Classic Guitar Society. Quartet Plus, which showcases original music for jazz quartet and nonet, is both steeped in the jazz tradition and forward reaching at the same time. The music ranges from stirring ballads to driving backbeats, from odd time signatures and deep rhythms to sing-‐able melodies and lyrical improvisation. Quartet Plus is a perfect confluence of beautiful guitar music, lush arrangements, and contemporary sounds. masonrazavi.com San Jose Jazz High School All Stars Sun. Aug 9 YP Gordon Biersch Stage (Additional appearance on the Next Gen Stage, Day/Time TBA) Now in its 17th season, San Jose Jazz High School All Stars are earning impressive reviews for their performances while providing some of the Bay Area's most gifted high school jazz musicians with advanced opportunities to grow and develop. Dr. Aaron Lington, a 2014 GRAMMY® Award winner and director of the Jazz Studies program at San Jose State University, leads this group comprised of young musicians from 14 regional schools. The All Stars have received unanimous ''command performance" ratings in both big band and combo formats at the Santa Cruz Jazz Festival. The audition-‐based big band and combo perform throughout the Bay Area, including such locales as the Computer History Museum, Santa Cruz Jazz Festival, San Jose Museum of Art, San Jose's San Pedro Square Market, San Jose State University Jazz Festival, San Jose Jazz's Winter Fest and Summer Fest, "TOSPS Tuesdays" downtown music series, and more. Auditions take place in November each year. sanjosejazz.org/high-‐school-‐all-‐stars San Jose Jazz Summer Camp Combo Sun, Aug 9 Kaiser Permanente Main Stage The 2015 Summer Jazz Camp Combo is a talented group of high school students who excelled at San Jose Jazz's recent Summer Jazz Camp @ Valley Christian. The musicians selected represent the spirit of the camp, which is to "Play the Possibilities." Designed for middle and high school students with backgrounds ranging from intermediate, the camp is led by Director Wally Schnalle, a well-‐known drummer and jazz educator. Held in June, at Valley Christian High School's state-‐of-‐the-‐art Conservatory of the Arts, the camp offers all-‐day immersion in every aspect of jazz, from theory to performance. Each student participates in
both a small ensemble and a big band. Students gain extraordinary experience in performance, music theory, improvisation, composition, ear training, performance and more. sanjosejazz.org/summer-‐jazz-‐camp Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble of San Francisco *Sat, Aug 8 Salsa Stage The Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble of San Francisco (LJYE) is a performing group of talented musicians ranging in age from 10 -‐ 18 years old. Their mission is to preserve the traditions of Latin jazz and Afro-‐Cuban music by teaching it to youth and to create role models for aspiring student musicians. Led by Music Director and multi-‐instrumentalist John Calloway, LJYE has shared the stage with legendary performers and jazz heavyweights such as Cachao, Chuchito Valdes, Poncho Sanchez and Spanish Harlem Orchestra. The ensemble plays Latin jazz classics and original compositions at a level that has landed them gigs at SFMOMA, Paramount's Great America and Yoshi’s. Despite their youth, several generations of ensemble musicians have already contributed to the legacy of Latin jazz history by recording three albums featuring original compositions by the students. The albums feature the student musicians playing alongside notable special guests such as Armando Peraza, Jerry Gonzalez, John Santos and Jeff Cressman. The group has won numerous performance awards and is honored to be Youth Artists-‐in-‐Residence at San Francisco's Yerba Buena Gardens Festival since 2005. ljye.com Summer Fest 2015 -‐ Ticket Information: San Jose Jazz Summer Fest employs tiered pricing that enables early buyers that plan ahead to save big! Each time more artists are announced, prices increase, reaching Gate Price levels on August 4, 2015. Advance Purchase (May 11 -‐ Aug. 3)/Gate (Aug. 4 -‐ 9) GA: 3-‐Day Pass $55/$70 All Stages: 3-‐Day Pass $65/$90 Priority Access: 3-‐Day Pass $155/$170 VIP: 3-‐Day Pass $325/$345 -‐-‐Single day tickets online Advance Purchase, May 11 -‐ August 3 | Prices: Aug. 7 ($15), Aug. 8 ($20), Aug. 9 ($20) -‐-‐Single day tickets, Gate Price, online August 4 -‐ 9 and at the gate | Prices: Aug. 7 ($20), Aug. 8 ($25), Aug. 9 ($25) -‐-‐Children (Ages 5 -‐ 12): $5/Day or $15/3-‐Day Pass; 3-‐Day passes now available, single day tickets on sale May 11. About San Jose Jazz Founded in 1986, San Jose Jazz is a public benefit corporation celebrating jazz as a dynamic, evolving art form and is producer of the annual San Jose Jazz Summer Fest and Winter Fest. With its eclectic music programming and innovative educational offerings, San Jose Jazz preserves the jazz tradition while actively supporting the next generation of performers within the genre and beyond. Summer Fest has become the flagship annual cultural event of Silicon Valley featuring the world's most acclaimed artists and the region's brightest emerging talent. San Jose Jazz is dedicated to the enrichment of the South Bay music and arts scene by providing eclectic year-‐round free weekly performances, pop-‐up jazz shows at Bay Area institutions and their latest ''Music Mobile'' program appearing at parks, schools, urban events and corporate campuses. Standout education initiatives ensure a vital connection with the greater community through San Jose Jazz's elementary public school-‐based Progressions, the two-‐decade old San Jose High School All Stars, and 19th Annual Summer Jazz Camp.
San Jose Jazz produced its first Winter Jazz Series in 1987; its first jazz festival was produced in 1990, and in 1993, it debuted their first youth education program. The evolution of San Jose Jazz coincides with Silicon Valley's spirit of invention and the prospering redevelopment of downtown San Jose, CA. Cornerstones of San Jose Jazz's mission to keep jazz and its related genres thriving are to honor the South Bay's diverse culture through the discovery of new music and implement opportunities for the community to unite around the arts. San Jose Jazz is proud to say the annual Summer Fest is one of the largest Latin music festivals in the country. For more information, please visit sanjosejazz.org. Media Contact: Jesse P. Cutler, JP Cutler Media, 510.338.0881, [email protected]
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