The 2011 Tanglewood Labor Day Weekend Jazz Fest | Sept 2nd-4th, 2011

Lenox, MA (PRWE August 09, 2011

Judy Carmichael’s “Jazz Inspired” with actress Blythe Danner to Take Place September 3 at 2 p.m.

Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves and Lizz Wright featured in “Sing the
Truth” with allstar Band Geri Allen, Terri Lyne Carrington, James Genus,
Munyungo Jackson and Romero Lubambo on September 4 at 8 p.m.

“A Latin Jazz Tribute to Cachao” with Federico Britos Sextet and John Santos Sextet to Take Place September 3 at 8 p.m.

Coast to Coast Septet Featuring NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Cobb with
Vocalist Mary Stallings and the Mingus Orchestra with Guest Conductor
NEA Jazz Master Gunther Schuller to Perform September 4 at 2 p.m.

Festival Opens with Ulysses Owens Quintet (630 p.m.) and the Robin
McKelle Quartet and Michael Kaeshammer Sextet (8 p.m.) on September 2

2011 NEA Jazz Masters Live Award Provides Additional Festival
Activities Including Interviews with Jimmy Cobb and Gunther Schuller
(9/3, at 4:15), Screening of Charles Mingus “Epitaph” (9/2-9/4) and
Master Class with Jimmy Cobb and Coast to Coast Septet (9/4, 12:30
p.m.)

Taking Place in Conjunction with the Annual Labor Day Weekend Jazz
Festival, Wine and Food Classic Returns to Tanglewood Sept 1-4

The 24th annual Tanglewood Jazz Festival runs from Friday, September 2
to Sunday, September 4 at Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston
Symphony Orchestra. Held for the first time in conjunction with the
Tanglewood Food and Wine Festival, the Labor Day weekend event will
feature some of some of the greatest living artists of Jazz in the
intimate Ozawa Hall, and introduce the rising stars of the musical genre
in a Jazz Café on the 500-acre Tanglewood grounds in Lenox,
Massachusetts.

This year’s festival is highlighted by Grammy-award winning jazz
vocalists Dianne Reeves and Angélique Kidjo, genre-defying vocalist Lizz
Wright, NEA Jazz Masters Jimmy Cobb and Gunther Schuller, Judy
Carmichael of NPR’s Jazz Inspired, Hollywood actress and vocalist Blythe
Danner, the legacy-bearing Mingus Orchestra, Afro-Latin percussionist
John Santos with the John Santos Sextet, jazz/classical crossover
violinist Federico Britos and the Federico Britos Sextet, boogie woogie
pianist Michael Kaeshammer with the soulful vocalist Robin Mckelle, San
Francisco legend Mary Stallings, and many more celebrated front runners
of Jazz.

The festival will also feature many up-and-coming jazz artists
including drummer and producer Ulysses Owens Jr., returning to
Tanglewood after a 2010 premiere with Kurt Elling, French pianist Cedric
Hanriot, returning after a 2009 Tanglewood performance, New York
recording artist Sarah Manning in her Tanglewood debut, as well as
cutting edge vocalist Rebecca Martin also performing for the first time
at Tanglewood in the Jazz Café.

For complete season programs, ticket information, and downloadable
press photos, please visit the Tanglewood Jazz Festival’s online press
kit at http://www.tanglewoodjazzfestival.org/presskit.

The Tanglewood Wine and Food Classic will take place September 1-4,
in various locations around the Tanglewood grounds. The culinary event
will feature wine and food seminars from local and national experts, a
wine auction dinner, two grand tastings, and a Sunday brunch. Guests are
invited to pair these world-class wine and food happenings with
performances of the 2011 Tanglewood Jazz Festival. Ticket purchases to
either Grand Tasting event come with a complimentary lawn ticket to the
associated Jazz Festival concert. For more information please visit http://www.tanglewoodwineandfoodclassic.com.

2011 Tanglewood Jazz Festival will Kick it Off with a Kick Drum–Friday, September 2 at 6:30 p.m.

On Friday, September 4, at 6:30 p.m., the 2011 Tanglewood Jazz
Festival will open with the percussive Ulysses Owens Quintet in the Jazz
Café. Owens is a Julliard-trained drums and percussion master whose
classical background weds his comprehension of melody and harmony to his
Jazz sensitivity. Currently touring with Grammy Award-winning vocalist
Kurt Elling and bassist Christian McBride, Ulysses’s latest CD, “It’s
Time For U,” was released in 2009 by BSOBold Media.

National Endowment of the Arts Brings NEA Jazz Masters Jimmy Cobb and Gunther Schuller to Tanglewood Jazz Festival

After nearly a quarter century presenting the best of the genre, the
Tanglewood Jazz Festival was honored to be selected as a participant in
NEA Jazz Masters Live for the first time in 2011. The National Endowment
for the Arts program has drawn NEA Jazz Masters Jimmy Cobb and Gunther
Schuller to the Tanglewood grounds for a program of performances and
residencies. These programs will include a master class for young
drummers on Sunday, September 4 at 12:30 pm led by Jimmy Cobb and the
rhythm section of the Coast to Coast Septet. At the same time across
campus, NEA Jazz Masters Live will present a screening of the famed
Charles Mingus concert “Epitaph,” conducted by NEA Jazz Master Gunther
Schuller. The monumental Mingus movie, never presented in full during
Mingus’ lifetime, lasts two and one-half hours and was performed at
Tanglewood in 1990.

Also part of the Jazz Masters program, Jazz journalist Bob Blumenthal
will conduct an intimate and rare interview with Jimmy Cobb and Gunther
Schuller at 4:15 pm on Saturday in the Jazz Café. Schuller, who has
been a presence at Tanglewood for decades, will discuss his work and
relationship with legendary bassist Charles Mingus. Jimmy Cobb, the last
surviving member of the Miles Davis masterpiece, “Kind of Blue,” the
most popular jazz recording in history, will discuss his prolific jazz
career.

Jimmy Cobb Jams with Mary Stallings and the Coast to coast Septet–Sunday, September 4, at 2 p.m.

NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Cobb will also headline Ozawa Hall at the 2 pm
Sunday-afternoon concert, with his Coast to Coast Septet and special
guest vocalist Mary Stallings. Cobb, an elder statesman of the art, will
perform with an all-star band including guitarist Peter Bernstein;
saxophonist Jaleel Shaw; trumpeter and flugelhornist Freddie Hendrix;
tenor saxophonist Doug Lawrence; pianist Llew Matthews; and bassist John
Weber.

Bay Area musician Mary Stallings has been entertaining audiences
since the 1960’s when Dizzy Gillespie once plucked her out of an
audience to sing with his band. Stallings latest recording, “Dream,” was
released on High Note last year. Named “The Best Kept Secret in Vocal
Jazz” by Jazz Times in December 2010, Stallings will perform music from
the legendary career of Jimmy Cobb and his musical association with
Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, and Sarah Vaughan.

Gunther Schuller Carries on Charles Mingus Legacy in Ozawa Hall–Sunday, September 4 at 2 p.m.

Following the Coast to Coast Septet on Sunday afternoon will be the
Mingus Orchestra conducted by NEA Jazz Master and all-around music guru
Gunther Schuller. The Mingus Orchestra was formed in 1999 to carry on
the legacy of jazz great Charles Mingus. Its distinctive sound emerges
from an expanded repertory and exotic instrumentation, including
bassoon, bass clarinet, French horn, and guitar. Columbian harpist Edmar
Castaneda will be among the personnel and the performance will include
Taurus in the Arena of Life; Half Mast Inhibition; Noon Night; all
arranged by Schuller for the event. Mr. Schuller will also present a
world premiere of his arrangement of Chill of Death.

“Jazz Inspired” with Special Guest Blythe Danner to be Broadcast to National Audience–Saturday, Sept 3 at 2 p.m.

Judy Carmichael and her radio program “Jazz Inspired” will debut at
the Tanglewood Jazz Festival at 2 pm on Saturday, September 3.
Carmichael’s popular weekly radio program is broadcast on 170 stations
throughout North America and abroad as well as on Sirius/XM Satellite
Radio. Now in its 15th year, “Jazz Inspired” features Carmichael at the
piano with a special guest from Hollywood, Broadway, or jazz. Her guest
at this year’s Tanglewood Jazz Festival is stage and screen actor Blythe
Danner.

Known for her delightful sense of humor and exuberant personality,
Carmichael earned a Grammy nomination for her recording “Two Handed
Stride,” has served on music panels for the National Endowment for the
Arts, and is one of the few jazz pianists honored as a Steinway Artist.
Ms. Danner earned a Tony Award for her Broadway debut in Butterflies Are
Free and has received nominations for her roles in Harold Pinter’s
Betrayal, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Stephen Sondheim’s Follies. Her
film credits include Woody Allen’s Alice, The Great Santini, Meet The
Parents, and Sylvia with her daughter Gwyneth Paltrow. Ms. Danner will
speak with Judy Carmichael about her life-long relationship with jazz,
singing jazz in college with band mate Chevy Chase, and her friendship
with the influential jazz pianist Bill Evans.

John Santos and Federico Britos Celebrate Israel Lopez Cachao, “The Father of the Mambo,”–Saturday, September 3 at 8 p.m.

The John Santos Sextet—in a rare east coast performance—and the
Federico Britos Sextet will perform “A Latin Jazz Tribute to Cachao” on
Saturday at 8 pm in Ozawa Hall. Known as the “father of the mambo,” the
Cuban bassist Israel Lopez Cachao is revered by Latin music historians,
musicians, and fans for revolutionizing Cuban music—first in the 1930s
by creating and inventing the mambo from the Cuban musical form
danzon—and later in the 1950s,during Cuban jam sessions. Cachao was the
composer of “Chanchullo,” on which Tito Puente based his classic hit
“Oye Como Va,” later made even more famous by Carlos Santana. John
Santos and and Federico Britos were featured last September in the
PBS/American Masters documentary “Cachao: Uno Mas.”

Five-time Grammy nominee John Santos and his Sextet unite the
contemporary, historical, and cultural significance of Latin jazz. A
multi-percussionist, composer, historian, producer, and educator, Santos
is a prolific exponent of Afro-Latin music through the innovative use
of traditional forms and the instruments of contemporary music. In a
career spanning four decades, he has worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Tito
Puente, Max Roach, McCoy Tyner, Carlos Santana and dozens of other
acknowledged masters. Santos toured with Maestro Cachao in the 1990s
performing on bongos. Santos’ band members include Saul Sierra, bassist;
Marco Diaz, pianist; John Calloway, flautist; Melecio Magdaluyo,
saxophonist/flautist; and David Flores, drummer/percussionist.

Violinist Federico Britos is a jazz/classical crossover artist of the
highest order. Born in Uruguay, Britos served as principal chair,
soloist, and concertmaster with some of the great symphony orchestras of
Uruguay, Venezuela, Peru, Cuba, and the United States. He has performed
with Astor Piazzolla, Cachao, and Joao Gilberto as well as with jazz
legends Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, Benny Goodman,
Bucky Pizzarelli, and Charlie Byrd. In 1999 Britos performed at the
Kennedy Center in a program called “Americanos” with Cachao himself.

“Sing the Truth” Celebration of Female Vocalists Featuring Dianne
Reeves Draws Festival to a Close–Sunday, September 4 at 8 p.m.

The closing concert of the 2011 Tanglewood Jazz Festival on Sunday,
September 4, at 8:00 pm is titled “Sing the Truth: Angélique Kidjo,
Dianne Reeves, and Lizz Wright Continue the Legacy of Great Women
Vocalists at Tanglewood.” This dynamic trio of today’s leading
jazz/world vocalists will feature the songs and music from past
Tanglewood women artists including India Arie, Betty Carter, Tracy
Chapman, Aretha Franklin, Shirley Horne, Mahalia Jackson, Carole King,
Joni Mitchell, and Odetta.

To shine further light on this performance, increase general
knowledge of jazz, and demystify the music for listeners new to the
form, journalist Bob Blumenthal will also lead “Listen Here,” a session
on vocalists at 4:00 pm on Sunday, in the Jazz Café. “Listen Here” will
focus on one album and the audience will be encouraged to discuss
specific tracks, solos, instrumentation, personnel, etc. This session
will concentrate on a recording by a female vocalist who represents the
musical stylings of those featured in the Sunday-night “Sing the Truth”
performance.

Born in Benin, West Africa, Angélique Kidjo is a Grammy-winning
artist referred to as “Africa’s premier diva” by Time Magazine. Her
internationally acclaimed repertoire includes collaborations with such
artists as Carlos Santana, Peter Gabriel, Alicia Keys, Josh Groban,
Branford Marsalis, Joss Stone, and more. Known for her dynamic and
uplifting music, she has translated her distinctive work in the arts to
that of philanthropy by promoting education for girls in Africa through
her foundation, Batonga, and as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Blue Note recording artist Dianne Reeves is one of the leading jazz
vocalists in the world today, receiving the Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal
Performance for three consecutive recordings—a Grammy first in any
category. She has recorded and performed extensively with Wynton
Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, with the Chicago
Symphony Orchestra conducted by Daniel Barenboim, and with Sir Simon
Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic. Reeves was the first Creative Chair
for Jazz for the LA Philharmonic and the first singer to perform at the
famed Walt Disney Concert Hall. Her latest CD, “When You Know,” was
released in 2008.

Lizz Wright has been the recipient of much critical acclaim and ever
increasing audiences since her 2003 Verve debut recording, “Salt.” The
daughter of a Georgia pastor, Wright grew up singing in the church and
her repertoire has included gospel, jazz, and blues as well as an
eclectic mix of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Gladys Knight material.

Cafe on Main–Debut Concert Brings Jazz Cafe Performers to the Ozawa Hall Stage–Friday, September 2 at 8 p.m.

This year a debut concert dubbed “Café on Main” invites Jazz Café
performers of previous years, to the much larger Ozawa Hall venue. On
Friday, September 2 at 8 pm, Café on Main will feature a double bill
with vocalist Robin McKelle and pianist/vocalist Michael Kaeshammer.
Vocalist Robin McKelle is comfortable singing not only jazz tunes, but
also soul, blues, pop, and rock. She earned her chops singing in R&B
groups and touring with pop icons Michael McDonald and Bebe Winans. Her
second CD, “Modern Antique” was ranked among the top jazz albums of
2008 and her latest CD, “Mess Around,” features McKelle in a soul/blues
setting. Michael Kaeshammer’s boogie-woogie piano and lush vocals were
first featured in the Jazz Café in 2009 and his acclaimed reception
earned him a slot in this year’s Café on Main. Since Kaeshammer’s 2009
appearance, he has been touring extensively and just recorded his new
CD, “Kaeshammer,” which will be released in Canada in April.
Kaeshammer’s energy and enthusiasm are infectious, and his performances
memorable.

Jazz Cafe Showcases the Rising Stars of the Jazz World

As a distinctly American form that can’t help but reinvent itself,
jazz has historically embraced the freshman of its form. Held in a tent
next to the Highwood Manor House, the Jazz Café showcases some of the
inspiring new talents of the Jazz world, in an improv-friendly setting.

The Jazz Café will open Saturday, September 3 at 12:30 p.m. with alto
saxophonist Sarah Manning and her quartet. Manning has established
herself as a unique voice among the young generation of jazz
saxophonists. Originally from New England, she studied with Dr. Yusef
Lateef, whose emphasis on searching for one’s own voice in music gave
her the courage to pursue her own path. Her latest CD, “Dandelion
Clock,” was released in 2010 on Posi-Tone Records.

At 6:30 pm on Saturday evening, the Cedric Hanriot Trio will take the
stage in the Jazz Café. Hanriot is making an encore performance since
appearing in the Jazz Café in 2009 with the Ben Powell Quartet. A
Fulbright recipient, French pianist/composer Hanriot has appeared at the
Iridium in New York, the Shanghai Jazz Festival, and the Jazz a Vienne
Festival in France. He has worked with Grammy winner Siedah Garrett,
drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, and bassist Me’shell NDegeocello among
many others. Hanriot holds a master’s degree in electronic engineering
from the University of Nancy, France.

The final Jazz Café performance on Sunday at 6:30 pm will feature
vocalist Rebecca Martin, whose spare, straightforward vocals have been
heralded by the New York Times’ as exuding, “the plainest sort of poise,
almost radical in its utter lack of flash.” Her latest CD on Sunnyside
Records, “When I Was Long Ago,” has earned high praise from critics.
Martin will be joined by her husband, bassist Larry Grenadier, and
saxophonist Bill McHenry.

Ticket Information

Tanglewood Jazz Festival tickets range from $18-77 and all-day jazz
lawn passes for Saturday or Sunday are $34. Tickets are available
through Tanglewood’s website, http://www.tanglewood.org,
by calling SymphonyCharge at 888-266-1200, or by visiting the
Tanglewood Box Office at 297 West Street in Lenox, MA. Tickets are also
available on the day of the concert at the Ozawa Hall Box Office on the
Tanglewood Grounds. For further information and box office hours, please
call the Boston Symphony Orchestra at 617-266-1492 or visit http://www.bso.org.

The online media partner for the Tanglewood Jazz Festival is Jazzcorner.com.

Labor Day Weekend Jazz Festival September 2-4

Ozawa Hall Events

Friday, September 2, 8 p.m. Ozawa Hall

Robin McKelle Quartet

Michael Kaeshammer Quintet

Saturday, September 3, 2 p.m. Ozawa Hall

Live taping of the “Jazz Inspired” with host Judy Carmichael with special guest Blythe Danner

Saturday, September 3, 8 p.m. Ozawa Hall

A Latin Jazz Tribute to Cachao with Federico Britos Sextet and John
Santos Sextet as featured in the “American Masters”/PBS documentary
“Cachao: Uno Mas”

Sunday, September 4, 2 p.m. Ozawa Hall

Coast to Coast Sextet featuring NEA Jazz Master

Jimmy Cobb

Mingus Orchestra conducted by NEA Jazz Master

Gunther Schuller

Sunday, September 4, 8 p.m. Ozawa Hall

Sing the Truth: Celebrating the History of Women Vocalists at
Tanglewood with Angélique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves, Lizz Wright and more

Jazz Café Events

All events below are free with an Ozawa Hall or Lawn Pass ticket

Friday, September 2, 6:30 p.m.

Ulysses Owens Quintet

Saturday, September 3, 11:30 a.m.

Bob Blumenthal interviews John Santos

Saturday, September 3, 12:30 p.m.

Sarah Manning Quartet

Saturday, September 3, 4:15 p.m.

Bob Blumenthal interviews NEA Jazz Masters Jimmy Cobb and Gunther Schuller

Saturday, September 3, 6:30 p.m.

Cedric Hanriot Trio

Sunday, September 4, 12:30 p.m.

Master class with NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Cobb and the rhythm section of the Coast to Coast Septet

Screening of Charles Mingus’ “Epitaph” conducted by Gunther Schuller at Lincoln Center in 1989

(This event will be held at the Highwood Manor House)

Sunday, September 4, 4 p.m.

“Listen Here” discussion with Bob Blumenthal on a recording by a legendary jazz vocalist to be announced

Sunday, September 4, 6:30 p.m.

The Rebecca Martin Trio with Larry Grenadier and Bill McHenry

For complete season programs, ticket information, and downloadable
press photos, please visit the Tanglewood Jazz Festival’s online press
kit at http://www.tanglewoodjazzfestival.org/presskit.