The 19th Annual Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz | July 26th-18th, 2010
2010 Greater Hartford Festival of
Jazz
July 16th, 17th, 18th
From cool straight ahead jazz to Latin rhythms, the
19th Annual Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz will showcase a full spectrum of international
jazz styles in the Capitol City’s own back yard – Bushnell Park – during the
weekend of July 18-19-20, 2010.
The Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz is the
largest FREE ADMISSION outdoor jazz festival in New England. The Festival
attracts over 50,000 music lovers to Bushnell Park over the course of the
weekend.
For 2010, organizers of the 19th annual Festival
have lined up three days of FREE music that celebrates the eclecticism of
today’s jazz, from hot Latin sounds and straight ahead jazz, to big band like
you’ve never heard it before! In addition to presenting the world’s finest
performers, the Festival is dedicated to showcasing local artists and aspiring
young performers from Greater Hartford area schools and jazz programs at our
Friends of the Festival Stage.
On Friday, July 16, the Festival
kicks off at 7:00 p.m. on the main stage at the Thomas D. Harris IV Pavilion with
The Christine Spero Group. This quartet is a mix of nu-jazz/pop /Latin
and Brazilian soul rhythms. Ms. Spero’s writing is as compelling and poetic as
her live vocal performances and rich piano chordings.
At
8:30 p.m. we will introduce the fresh distinctive Latin sounds of saxophonist
and vocalist, Layla Angulo. She has performed in concerts around the
world and now she brings her unique style to Hartford.
On Saturday, July 17, the weekend really heats up. Starting
at 4:30 pm, bass guitarist, Ace
Livingston blends a
melting pot of gospel, jazz, blues and soul with a dash of funk that’s
guaranteed to make the audience groove and relax at the same time.
Next up will be Elan Trotman, one of the most exciting
up-and-comers among a new generation of saxophonists who has emerged as an
exhilarating force in the world of contemporary jazz.
Doc
Gibbs & N’ Fusion is one of the most sought after percussionists in
the music industry. Whether recording, touring or kickin’ it up a notch with
Emeril Lagasse, his funky rhythms and an assortment of traditional and unusual
percussion instruments are always a crowd pleaser.
TIZER featuring:
Lao Tizer, Chieli Minucci and Karen
Briggs will close out Saturday with a night that will captivate audiences
of all ages and musical tastes. This the all-star concert tour consists of
keyboardist and recording artist Lao
Tizer who has graced the stage at events worldwide alongside artists
including: Isaac Hayes, Boney James, Zappa Plays Zappa, Wayne Shorter, George
Benson, The Commodores, The Rippingtons, Bruce Hornsby,
Jethro Tull, and Spyro Gyra. Karen
Briggs, of Soul ll Soul fame, gives a fiery performance as the baddest and
most entertaining violinist on the music scene. Guitarist, composer, and
arranger Chieli Minucci is the
leader of the Grammy-nominated jazz-fusion group Special EFX, one of the most
prominent world fusion groups of the era.
A Jazz Dance Party starts at 10:30 p.m. at the
Friends of the Festival Stage with the Motown sounds of Jus Us. Everyone is invited to walk over to the Friends of Festival
Stage just a few feet away from the main stage and party and dance until
midnight. Vendors will stay open late for late night shopping, eating and
drinking.
On Sunday, July 18, Christ Church Cathedral at 45
Church Street will feature a Jazz Mass at 10:00 am, featuring Ross Tucker’s Hot Cat Jazz Band. All
are welcome to attend.
The Main Stage starts up on Sunday July 18 at 4:30
pm with guitarist Nobuki Takamen who
plays with extraordinary rhythmic precision and has a sound and style that are both
mellow and energetic.
The Iris
Ornig Group follows. Ornig is a
gifted bassist, a talented composer and a charismatic performer. Her
compositions are swinging, stormy, melodic, sensitive, playful, angular and
straight-ahead with plenty of twists and surprises.
The weekend closes out as the Hartford
Symphony Orchestra Jazz and Strings Project presents “Focus – Music of Stan
Getz” featuring Joel Frahm. The fusion of stringed instruments and a
rhythm section gives listeners a special treat, appealing to classical and jazz
lovers alike.
The afternoon line-up will soon be announced. Keep
checking www.hartfordjazz.org for a
list of the artists that will perform between 1 pm and 4 pm on Saturday and
Sunday afternoon at The Friends of the Festival Stage.
“We are
looking forward to another very exciting year,” said Charles Christie, president
of the Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz, a non-profit, volunteer-run
organization. “There is truly something for everyone, from modern and
straight-ahead jazz aficionados to smooth contemporary and Latin rhythm lovers
to fans of the Big Bands. We are thrilled about bringing outstanding free music
to Hartford again this summer.”
Besides offering great music, the Festival also
hosts a food court, an arts-and-crafts and merchant marketplace and
family-oriented activities during the weekend.
The Bushnell Park Carousel and Playground are
directly across from the Festival grounds for more family fun. The majestic
architecture of Connecticut’s historic Capitol Building and the city lights and
skyline provide a backdrop and relaxing atmosphere under the stars.
The Festival is an affordable way to spend an
enjoyable weekend during these tough economic times. We would like to thank the
Festival sponsors, including the City of Hartford, Travelers, Greater Hartford
Arts Council, Edward T. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation, Connecticut Commission
on Culture and Tourism, and others for helping to
further the tradition of free jazz concerts in Bushnell Park. The Festival
relies solely on sponsorships and donations and we are always looking for
contributions. Please lend your support by visiting www.hartfordjazz.org for more
information.
The Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz, Inc. is a
non-profit organization founded in the fall of 1991 by Paul Brown, noted jazz
bassist and music educator, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of
Paul Brown’s Monday Night Jazz Concert Series. The first Festival was in July
of 1992.
More information about the Greater Hartford
Festival of Jazz can be found at www.hartfordjazz.org
or by calling 860.727.0050.