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| North Carolina Jazz Festival Since its inception in 1980, the North Carolina Jazz Festival (a 2010 Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event) continues a tradition of bringing world-class jazz musicians to Wilmington, North Carolina. During the weekend of February 4 through 6, 2010, the North Carolina Jazz Festival will celebrate 30 years with concerts by more than a dozen traditional jazz artists who perform in a cabaret-style setting at the Hilton Wilmington Riverside's newly renovated ballroom. Fans can see and hear their favorite traditional jazz musicians perform live, along with opportunities to meet and mingle with the artists. To celebrate 30 years, this year's North Carolina Jazz Festival kicks off on Thursday night with a "Styles of Jazz" concert vocalist Stephanie Nakasian & the Hod O'Brien Trio; New Orleans style jazz by the Duke Heitger Sextet; and local favorites Grenaldo Frazier (piano, vocals) and Kevin Kolb Quartet, . On Saturday morning festival patrons will enjoy a musical birthday cruise along the Cape Fear River with New Orleans style jazz and North Carolina barbecue. On Friday and Saturday nights the festival features 14 world-renowned musicians, including guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli (www.benedettoguitars.com/players_bucky.php), Butch Miles on drums (www.butchmiles.com), pianist Hod O'Brien (www.hodobrien.com), and Duke Heitger on trumpet (www.dukeheitger.com). Other all-star jazz musicians include: Mark Shane (piano; www.shanepianojazz.com); Frank Tate (bass; www.atlantajazzparty.com/Tate.html); Tom Fischer (reeds; www.tomfischermusic.com); and John Allred (trombone; www.myspace.com/johnallredmusic). Back by popular demand are festival favorites Anat Cohen (reeds; www.anatcohen.com); Ed Polcer (trumpet/cornet; www.edpolcer.com); Joe Ascione (drums; www.joeascione.com);; John Cocuzzi (vibes and piano; http://www.johncocuzzimusic.com/music.html); Herman Burney (bass; www.hermanburney.com); and Stephanie Nakasian (vocalist; www.stephanienakasian.com). "This year the North Carolina Jazz Festival is pleased to present some of our very talented local musicians, as well as 14 all-star musicians from across the nation, to bring to Wilmington a very exciting weekend of live jazz, " states Sandy Evans, Chairman of the N.C. Jazz Festival. Presented in partnership with the Cape Fear Jazz Society, the North Carolina Jazz festival is the only traditional jazz festival of its size from Virginia to Georgia. Advance reservations are recommended, as this event often sells out. write your comments about the article :: © 2010 Jazz News :: home page |