|
contents | jazz | |||||||||||||
| Cape May Jazz Festival: Tribute to Wes Montgomery The 27th Cape May Jazz Festival announced its Spring festival lineup, in tribute to the legendary jazz guitarist, Wes Montgomery, April 20th, 21st, and 22nd, 2007. Wes Montgomery's ingenuity and dedication to innovative jazz guitar, combined with his soft, swinging sound, set the artistic pace and mood for Jazz throughout the 1960s. Pat Martino opens up the festival at Cape May Convention Hall on Friday April 20th, honoring one of the most influential jazz guitarists of all time. Further "Tributes to Wes" by guitarists Teddy Royal, Bob Devos and Brian Betz plus jazz vocalist Everett Greene, continue throughout the weekend. Throughout the country, Cape May Jazz Festivals are known for their quality performers, intimate jazz club settings and enthusiastic audiences. Musicians consistently cite the Cape May Jazz Festivals among their favorite stops on a world-wide stage. Co-founder Woody Woodland says "to witness and see the satisfaction and approval shown in the applause and the reception by the audience makes me realize that we are staying committed to our mission and devotion to the perpetuation of jazz as an art form." Pat Martino, headlining at Convention Hall on Friday April 20th, has been recognized as one of the most exciting and virtuosic guitarists in jazz. With a distinctive, fat sound and gut-wrenching performances, he represents the best not just in jazz, but in music. He embodies thoughtful energy and soul. Guitarists flock to Pat's door for musical insight, and he offers not only the benefits of his musical knowledge, but also the philosophical insights of a man who has faced and overcome enormous obstacles. True humility from a gentleman with such a remarkable resume' of achievements, including no less than four Grammy nominations, and Downbeat Magazine's "Guitar Player of the Year". Featured guitarist Bob Devos wrote in tribute to Wes Montgomery: "He gave to jazz guitar what Charlie Parker gave to saxophone and the entire scope of jazz: a new vision. He brought a horn-like approach to the guitar and rhythmic propulsion much like a drummer's. Wes never lost sight of the essential element of jazz--the blues. Wes inspired many, many guitarists to explore new potentials, to find their own voice, and to keep the blues feeling that is at the soul of the guitar's place in jazz." BOB DEVOS' musical tribute, along with Bootsie Barnes, is Saturday April 21st, at the Montreal Inn's Caf Promenade. Teddy Royal and Jesse Andrus with Across the Globe will pay Tribute to the great Wes Montgomery at Congress Hall's intimate Boiler Room on Friday April 20th. As Fats Domino's guitarist for 30 years, Teddy Royal has had a life-long love affair with jazz guitar. Influences of Wes Montgomery can clearly be heard throughout Teddy's own recordings. New Orleans writer Jay Mazza states "Royal is a special talent who has woven his experiences growing up in Harlem with New Orleans' unique music into a seamless tapestry of tasty jazz". Terence Blanchard opens the Saturday April 21st lineup at Convention Hall. As one of New Orleans fire-tempered "Young Lions", Blanchard has been on the cutting edge of the resurgence of hard-bop and other modern jazz styles for his entire adult life. With a deeply soulful sound rooted in the blues, but accepting of sonic innovations of the 1960s and beyond, Blanchard's creative musical voice has been described as "profound" and multi-dimensional, stretching the limits and definition of what musical expression--both inside and outside of jazz--can be. His profound discography includes musical scores for dozens of films and documentaries, including many Spike Lee Joints; plus Grammy awards, the prestigious international Grand Prix du Disque awards, and multiple Grammy, Golden Globe and Emmy nominations. Omar Sosa, appearing at the Grand Hotel Ballroom on Friday April 20th, is one of the most versatile world-jazz artists on the scene today: composer, arranger, producer, pianist, percussionist, and bandleader. He fuses a wide range of world music and electronic elements with his native Afro-Cuban roots to create a fresh and original Urban sound -- all with a Latin jazz heart. "Sosa's vision of contemporary jazz reaches across every imaginable boundary. His unusual array of players and styles convincingly proves his belief in musical eclecticism, in the joy of musical freedom and in his spiritual link with his musical predecessors." - Los Angeles Times. Legendary Philadelphia bassist Charles Fambrough, performing with his All-Stars, will appear Saturday night, April 21st, at the Grand Hotel. Blending the great Mainstream Jazz of the 60's with the contemporary sounds of today's future stars, The All-Stars, include pianist George Colligan, Clifford Adams on Trombone, drummer Mike Clark, Craig Handy on sax, and trumpeter Maurice Brown. According to Jason Koransky, editor for DownBeat Magazine, " All-Star trumpeter Maurice Brown "is one of the most exciting young trumpeters in jazz--be it New Orleans or New York. His improvisations are fresh, his chops dynamic and he's writing what could very well become a new generation of hard-bop-meets-new-grooves standards." Charles Fambrough and company will present the music of McCoy Tyner, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Art Blakey, and our tribute honoree, Wes Montgomery. Women in Jazz have always held an important stage at Cape May Jazz Festivals. In praise of Sharon Clark, at the Marquis de Lafayette's Victorian Garden on Saturday night April 21st, The Washington Post praised Clark as "the lady equipped with a lusty voice", further adding, "Clark's sumptuous alto voice is always a joy to hear, whether she's swinging, scatting, or delivering a rousing (Gospel) benediction. Saturday night at Carney's Other Room, Joanna Pascale with the Aaron Graves Trio will set herself apart from other vocalists with her sophisticated repertoire and skilled musicianship. The Philadelphia Metro raved, "Don't let her age fool you. Joanna Pascale is a highly sophisticated singer." According to legendary saxophonist Robert "Bootsie" Barnes, "Once you hear Joanna, you'll know it's her. Copycats don't last, but Joanna will be around for a long time." Sherry Wilson Butler performs with her Quartet on Friday April 20th at Montreal Inn's Caf Promenade. Sherry is a uniquely talented contemporary jazz/R&B performer, music educator, and motivational speaker. Her deep contralto voice, with influences of Sarah Vaughn and Diane Reeves, stands its own dynamic accord. Her high-spirited vocal performance and passionate body language extenuate the pure message of her music. Come party with Eric Frazier, at Carney's Main Room on Friday April 20th. Frazier and his band play a rousing mix of energetic music including Jazz, Salsa, R&B, Calypso and Blues. Eric's love of the physical culture and creative expression led him to the study of the Conga Drum, Djembe Drum and African Dance. He has performed in great Jazz venues of New York, Chicago, New Jersey, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Los Angeles, San Diego, Washington DC and numerous Universities and colleges. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |