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| Denver's Five Points Community Hosts 7-Day Jazz & Blues Festival Denver's historic Five Points will be the home of the After Five Jazz & Blues Festival 2008, a music extravaganza Aug. 23-29 during the Democratic National Convention. "The DNC will give Denver an opportunity to shine and we want to celebrate Denver's diverse communities, specifically the African-American culture in Five Points given its deep history in jazz and blues, " says Tamara Banks, spokesperson for After Five, LLC, the group producing the event. From the 1920s to 1950s, Five Points was heralded as a "Jazz Mecca" and the "Harlem of the West" because of performances by legends like Louis Armstrong, Billie Holliday, Duke Ellington and Nat King Cole. This multi-day event will have a huge number of performers from the jazz and blues scene - from local favorites to mid-level and national entertainers." "We want the festival to be a great experience from the moment you walk in the gates, " says Banks, who anticipates 3, 000 to 5, 000 attendees daily. "There will be food and retail vendors selling unique wares and souvenirs." "We want those who live in Denver and those visiting to be part of the excitement and spirit with the DNC in town, " says local entrepreneur Carl Bourgeois, one of the After Five organizers. "We are proud of the history of Five Points and have an interest in sharing it." Three Stages for Hot Live Jazz & Blues The Denver Jazz & Blues Festival 2008 is a 21 and older event and will be filled with seven days of performances on three stages Saturday, August 23 through Friday August 29, 2008. The musical line-up includes jazz, blues, Latin jazz, African jazz, gospel, and old school. The festival will kick off the weekend before the DNC convention with afternoon performances. Then, during the week, attendees can look forward to premier performances after 5p.m. Scheduled performers include: Gerald Albright; Maysa; Pieces of a Dream; "The Gospel According to Jazz" with Kirk Whalum and George Duke; "Denver Divas" with vocalists Hazel Miller, Sheryl Rene, Mary Louise Lee and Lynda Styles; Arturo Sandoval; Poncho Sanchez; Jeffrey Osborne; The Blackbyrds; Marvin Sease and more. The complete event schedule can be viewed at www.denverjazzfestival2008.com Festival Opportunities and Tickets: There are various sponsorship opportunities available which includes VIP tickets, hospitality suites, and festival visibility. Four hospitality suites are available for private and corporate parties. Tickets are $59, $89 and $119 and can be purchased by visiting www.denverjazzfestival2008.com. For more information, call After Five at 303-296-2701 or e-mail info@denverjazzfestival2008.com. Media: Media Day will be Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008. For interviews, photo opportunities and more information, call the Denver Jazz and Blues Festival office at 303-296-2701. write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Jazz News :: home page |