|
contents | jazz | |||||||||||||
| President's Day Weekend Jazz Party This year's Presidents' Day Weekend Newport Beach Jazz Party in Orange County, Ca. promises to be better than ever with two of the most influential musicians ever being honored with special concerts Saturday and Sunday nights. The annual four-day party will be held, Feb. 15 though 18 at the Marriott Newport Beach Hotel. Over 70 musicians will be playing at concerts held mornings, afternoons and evenings. On Saturday night Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim will be given a tribute. Often called the father of bossa nova jazz, which burst on the scene in the '60s, Jobim is so famous in his country that Rio's airport is named after him. Playing his music will be flutist Holly Hoffman with her quartet, along with a 12-piece string orchestra under the direction of Bill Cunliffe. On Sunday night, Frank Sinatra has his day with a "Dear Mr. Sinatra" event with John Pizzarelli on vocals, accompanied by the Clayton- Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. The ensemble just cut a best selling Telarc CD, paying homage to Sinatra and songs closely connected to his career. What is special about these annual jazz parties is the opportunity for fans to see and hear great musicians get together and play in an unrehearsed context. As they perform, it's a pleasure to see them immediately communicate, anticipating each other, blending sounds in their common language. An example is the lead off set Friday night when clarinetist Ken Peplowski, trumpeter Terrell Stafford, trombonist Troy Andrews, pianist Harry Pickens and drummer Lewis Nash, people who rarely see each other, will become one mmediately. This is the way it is all weekend. With stars, such as John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton, Bruce Foreman (the list goes on and on) scheduled in various groupings. It also gives people such as the great pianist Benny Green and Jeff Clayton, supreme bassist, arranger and bandleader, a chance for a duet. Nothing could be tastier than this. The party begins Thursday night in the hotel's Grand Pacific Ballroom, with groups led by reed player Peplowski, singer Judy Roberts and pianist Johnny O'Neal, including special guest star Houston Person on tenor. Friday night's concert feature the John Pizzarelli Trio, with the leader playing guitar along with his vocals. This group regularly plays together but welcomes the stellar Jeff Hamilton on drums. Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons are crammed with music at Poolside Concerts. Noteworthy, both afternoons will be highlighted by the appearance of the prize-winning college bands--Fullerton College Jazz Band, Friday, and, Saturday, the O.C. High School for the Arts Big Band with special guest Stafford sitting in on trumpet In addition to the afternoon and evening concerts, for the first time ever, there will be a Gospel Breakfast, Sunday morning, featuring vocalist Nike Harris, along with, among others, Cunliffe on organ write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |