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| 32nd Annual Telluride Jazz Celebration The 2008 Telluride Jazz Celebration is June 5-8,2008. Featuring McCoy Tyner “Guest of Honor", The Neville Brothers, Dr. John, Joe Lovano, Bettye LaVette, Dave Liebman Group, Simone, Grupo Fantasma, Maelstrom Trio featuring Skerik, Crescent Super Band and many others! Since 1977 Telluride's majestic perch - high in the spectacular San Juan Mountains in Southwestern Colorado -- has been the site of an annual cultural event produced by the Telluride Society for Jazz combining the finest of nature and art that ranks among the world's most memorable music festivals. The intimate format and abundant opportunities to enjoy spectacular alpine recreational activities complement the superb music presented each year at the Telluride Jazz Celebration. Combining performances on outdoor stages during the day with theater and club shows at night, the TJC offers the best of both worlds and with its new dates in June, it has become even more festive as it coincides with the 25th annual edition of the colorful Telluride Balloon Rally. Featured Artists for 2008 Telluride Jazz Celebration Include: The Neville Brothers; Art, Charles, Aaron, and Cyril continue to provoke, entertain and excite audiences around the globe. The differences between the four Neville Brothers are as dramatic as the similarities that unite them, namely passionate funk and a feeling for blues-soaked deep pocket grooves that is the basis of their greatness and exalted place in our cultural history. Dr. John is universally celebrated as the living embodiment of the rich musical heritage exclusive to New Orleans. His very colorful musical career began in the 1950s and continues to dazzle and delight audiences across the globe with his unique blend of voodoo mysticism, funk, rhythm & blues, psychedelic rock and Creole roots. McCoy Tyner - “Guest of Honor". This four-time Grammy winner is also a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts' prestigious “Jazz Master" award in 2002. It is no overstatement to say that Tyner, whose blues-based piano style is one of the most identifiable sounds in improvised music, has helped shape modern jazz over the past 50 years. He has released nearly 80 albums under his own name and continues to influence generations of jazz artists around the world. Joe Lovano. According to Ben Ratliff of The New York Times “It's fair to say that [Joe Lovano is] one of the greatest musicians in jazz history." One of the leading saxophonists on the international jazz scene, Lovano has a husky tone on the tenor and soars on the soprano. He has one foot firmly rooted in the mainstream jazz tradition yet he continues to open new paths in jazz with an approach to improvisation is modern and daring and steeped in the tradition of Ornette Coleman. Dave Liebman Group. "David Liebman is a preeminent jazz saxophonist who has sustained a top-of-the-line reputation for four decades. He embodies a rare combination of discipline, knowledge, technique, and passion. Simply put, he is a true and dedicated master. With Liebman, guitarist Vic Juris, bassist Tony Marino, and Marcinko, the David Liebman Group gave a stunning, vibrant, and swinging performance." -- All About Jazz Bettye LaVette. "In a career spanning 40 years, she has maintained a level of almost unrivaled quality" -- Soul Historian Bettye is on the cover of the current issue of Pollstar. Her new CD “The Scene of the Crime" has been Grammy nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album of 2007, is showing up on several “best of" end of the year lists and is up for three Blues Music Awards. Bettye also just taped “Fresh Air" with Terry Gross on NPR. Simone. She's her own woman, a singer, songwriter and performer whose ability to transcend genres echoes the tradition of her mother, musical icon and jazz vocal pioneer Nina Simone. Simone is blessed with a rich range, an innate skill for lyrical interpretation and a soul-deep understanding of music as a means of healing, empowerment and celebration, Her new CD is slated for release in February of 2008. Grupo Fantasma. Based in Austin, Texas, Grupo is said to be the finest and funkiest Latin orchestra to come out of the United States in the last decade. This collective is still riding the momentum of their critically acclaimed performances with Prince in London before 20,000 people. They also had a stint at Prince's Las Vegas nightclub and the Golden Globes. Fantasma opened for Prince in Miami, and was his backup band for the CBS Superbowl Bash in South Beach, the ALMA Awards airing on national television. Chuscales - Flamenco. (Guitarist) is internationally recognized as one of the new breed of flamenco guitarists who combine fluid technique and close study of contemporary musical forms to move the flamenco guitar into new territory. “Chuscales" was born in Antequera, Spain (Malaga), and raised in Granada in a family of professional musicians and dancers. He has toured in Canada, Europe, South America, Japan and United States. “Chuscales" is featured on the CD: his solo album “Guitarra Flamenca". Maelstrom Trio featuring Skerik. This New Orleans-based Trio including Skerik, Brian Coogan and drummer Simon Lott combines exciting elements of free jazz, funk, metal and textural music. Born Eric Walton, tenor and Baritone saxophonist, Skerik is a pioneer in a playing style that has been dubbed “saxophonics". He is a founding member of Critters Buggin and Garage A Trois including Stanton Moore, Charlie Hunter and Mike Dillon and recently featuring Marco Benevento. Crescent Super Band. Composed of students aged 13 to 18, 'The Music School' -- based in American Fork, Utah -- performed at the 34th Annual International Association for Jazz Education Conference. They were invited to open the event, playing with special guest, Doc Severinsen, the legendary Tonight Show bandleader. Under the direction Caleb Chapman, the band has performed at major European jazz festivals including North Sea in The Netherlands and Umbria Jazz in Italy. Performing with a Special Guest. Telluride Student All-Star Jazz Ensemble. This program is for the serious student and is directed by renowned jazz educator and performer Bob Montgomery. A national talent search is conducted for students age 13 and up via audition tapes. Students selected receive scholarships to this special weeklong program culminating with a main stage performance at the festival. Audition information available on the web site. write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Jazz News :: home page |