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Tri-C Jazzfest Cleveland Salutes the American Classics

Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland celebrates its 29th year with a Tribute to American Classics, April 17-27, with a showcase of nationally and internationally renowned artists. The lifetime works of Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday and Marvin Gaye are among the wide range of jazz music to be highlighted during the 10-day festival.

The festivities kick off on April 17 with a parade featuring the Shaw High School Marching Band at Tower City and Public Square in downtown Cleveland. The celebration continues with a kick-off party, complete with live entertainment, at The Corner Alley. Later that evening at the House of
Blues, Jazz Meets Hip-Hop features Q-Nice, DJ Rob Swift and Bill Ransom in
a creative fusion of old-school jazz with the contemporary rhythmic beats of hip-hop.

John Pizzarelli and The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra will salute Frank Sinatra at the Allen Theatre on April 18. Opening act Nnenna Freelon pays homage to Billie Holiday with a refreshing take on the work of the legendary jazz songstress.

Jazz for Kids starts off a full day of jazz on April 19 at The Children's Museum of Cleveland with an educational and entertaining perspective of jazz designed to get the youngest imaginations excited. Ending the day is producer/composer Jason Miles in a marvelous tribute to Marvin Gaye and Motown featuring a who's who in jazz lineup that includes Bobby Caldwell, Walter Beasley, Kevin Mahogany, Maysa and DJ Logic.

Vijay Iyer, one of the most commanding pianists and composers to emerge in recent years, brings his diverse and respected body of work to MOCA Cleveland on April 23 as his unique sound draws from a wide range of Western and non- Western traditions. The Tri-C Metro Campus Auditorium
plays host to the electrifying sounds of the Grammy nominated saxophonist Joshua Redman on April 24. Redman is described by The New York Times as one of a: " ... handful of naturally gifted musicians."

An Evening of Natalie Cole on April 25 will showcase the range of the eight-time Grammy Award winning singer as she explores her soulful roots of R&B, jazz-based pop and standards. The final weekend continues with the
exciting collaboration between trumpeter Rick Braun and saxophonist Richard Elliot on April 26. Tri-C's own Dominick Farinacci takes the stage of
Pickwick and Frolic for his first main stage JazzFest performance on April 27.
Tri-C JazzFest is recognized, both nationally and internationally, as a premier educational jazz festival with extensive offerings of performances,
clinics, workshops and educational programs. This year's festival is
supported by American Greetings, the Cleveland Foundation, Forest City, The George Gund Foundation, Key Bank, Kulas Foundation, National City, National Endowment for the Arts and Ohio Arts Council. Media Sponsors include Cleveland.com, Downbeat, the Free Times, WCLV, WKSU and WCPN/WVIZ.





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