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| 2006 Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival 17th Annual Festival in Downtown San Jose to Feature Tribute to New Orleans Jazz; Neville Brothers, Dr. John, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Bud Shank and Eldar Scheduled to Perform The San Jose Jazz Society today announced headliners for the 17th Annual Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival, presented by Southwest Airlines. The Festival, which runs August 17-20 2006, will pay respect to the genre's deep roots in New Orleans with a full line-up of superstars, including the Neville Brothers, Dr. John, Sonny Landreth, and more. The Festival will take place on nine stages, each dedicated to a flavor of jazz: Blues, Latin, Salsa, Big Band, Youth and Straight Ahead. This year's artists range from world-famous jazz legends to up-and-coming stars. Additional headline artists include the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Bud Shank, pianist Eldar, and Dr. Lonnie Smith. Other artists performing at the festival include pianist Bill Mays, Hiroshi Kamekura from Japan, Anton Schwartz, and Roger Smith and Tom Politzer of "Tower of Power." The Festival will kick off with a bang Thursday Night at Santana Row with a Mardi Gras themed Gala event and concert. The opening night Gala has been a sold-out event the past four years, helping to raise funds for the San Jose Jazz Society's year-round education and performance programming. Details of this event will be announced at a later date. Friday through Sunday brings the Festival back to downtown San Jose with three days of non-stop jazz events. From Friday night's high octane opening at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez to the much-anticipated appearance by Festival headliners the Neville Brothers on Sunday evening, the San Jose Jazz Festival has something for everyone. Saturday and Sunday performances begin at noon and continue after hours with the Festival's newest stage "Jazz Beyond." Arts and crafts, photography exhibitions, jazz films, and even a Silicon Valley CEO jazz jam session will be featured during this year's Festival. Performer highlights include: Hailing Eldar as a "remarkably advanced jazz artist, " JAZZIZ magazine wrote, "The pianist's incredible hands already have him sounding like a young Art Tatum." When he was nine years old, Eldar began to explore and pursue jazz seriously. One can hear in Eldar's music influences from the classic, the inspired drive of Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson, the exuberance of Dave Brubeck, and the intensity and introspection of Bill Evans. Dr. John Main Stage, Dr. John is universally celebrated as the living embodiment of the rich musical heritage exclusive to New Orleans. Adorned with voodoo charms and regalia, a legend was born with his breakthrough 1968 album Gris-gris, which established his unique blend of voodoo mysticism, funk, rhythm & blues, psychedelic rock and Creole roots. Dr. Lonnie Smith Main Stage, Dr. Lonnie Smith is internationally known as one of the premier jazz keyboardists in the history of the idiom. A dominant talent and pace-setting proponent of the Hammond B3 Organ and widely recognized and gifted pianist, Lonnie has been at the forefront of the jazz scene since 1969 when Downbeat Magazine named him Top Organist. Bill Mays -- Smith Dobson Stage, The artistry of Bill Mays is beyond category. With deep roots in jazz, gospel, pop and classical music his eclectic, prolific career as pianist, composer and arranger spans four decades. Anton Schwartz The Rep Stage Jazz saxophonist Anton Schwartz has been drawing listeners in with the power, spirit and subtle complexity of his music since he bounded onto the San Francisco jazz scene in 1995. San Francisco Chronicle described him has having a "warm, generous tone, impeccably developed solos and infectious performance energy." Roger Smith and Tom Politzer from Tower of Power Blues Stage Roger's talents are something recording artists have known for years. From his early days on the Austin, Texas music scene, Roger has been a sought after musician and music producer. Tom Politzer joined Tower of Power on Lead Tenor Sax in March on 2002. Tom is well known in the Bay Area for his work in several bands, most notably Spang-A-Lang.Sunday, August 20, Spanish Harlem Orchestra Main Stage. Two trumpets, two trombones and a baritone sax make up the bracing brass sound of this band dedicated conga, bongo and timbale players round out the percussion and the upright bass and acoustic piano are the icing on this salsa flavored cake. With a sound both modern and historic and a swing that could revive the dead, Spanish Harlem Orchestra is the signature sound of 21st century Latin music. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |