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Newport Beach Jazz Party - A Weekend For Jazz Lovers Not To Miss!

Valentine's & Presidents' Weekend, February 11-14, 2016, will again be the time for mainstream jazz lovers from around the country (& world) to arrive in Newport Beach for "Right Down The Middle And Straight Ahead" Jazz at the beautiful Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa. In addition to a Saturday and Sunday Jazz Brunch, a Valentine's Jazz Dinner & Show will be offered on Sunday, February 14, featuring two legendary artists performing together-Ernie Andrews & Houston Person. Title sponsor for the Newport Beach Jazz Party is The Jazz Cruise, the world's only full ship charter dedicated to "Straight-Ahead Jazz". Media sponsor will be the nation's #1 jazz station- KJAZZ.

Evening highlights of this special 16th Annual jazz lover's weekend-
*Thursday's Grand Opening Night will Celebrate BENNY, ELLA & BASIE in 3 concerts starting at 7:30pm with the Ken Peplowski Sextet saluting Benny Goodman & beyond followed by A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald by Freda Payne and closing this swinging first night will be GORDON GOODWIN'S BIG PHAT BAND in a Salute to Count Basie plus Australia's gift to the jazz world- James Morrison!

*Friday evening will feature 4 concerts starting at 7:00pm with the first concert featuring the All-Star quartet of Houston Person, Shelly Berg, Christoph Luty, Jeff Hamilton & Russell Malone. The 2nd concert is titled- The Trio, The Quartet, The Quintet & Beyond with John Clayton, Larry Fuller, Matt Witek, Russell Malone, James Morrison, Dan Barrett & Ken Peplowski. Concert # 3 will bring to the stage vocalist Jackie Ryan and feature Bill Cunliffe, John Clayton, Chuck Redd, Graham Dechter and Rickey Woodard. Bringing this exciting night to a close will be Hamilton & Hamilton- presenting their newest CD together- Live in Bern, featuring the first recorded collaboration of Scott Hamilton and the Jeff Hamilton Trio.

*Saturday-the third of four swingin' nights, will open with the popular Jeff Hamilton Trio featuring Tamir Hendelman & Christoph Luty. Concert #2 will present James Morrison, Shelly Berg, John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton plus special guest- Scott Hamilton followed by the 3rd concert with the Eric Reed Quartet featuring Mike Gurrola, Willie Jones III and Ralph Moore plus dynamic vocalist Kenny Washington. This night will also include a 6 Bass Tribute to famed bassist & West Coast Jazz Impresario- Howard Rumsey by John Clatyon, Mike Gurrola, Luther Hughes, Christoph Luty, Richard Simon & Katie Thiroux, followed appropriately enough with A Salute to West Coast Jazz featuring Eric Reed, Mike Gurrola, Willie Jones III, Graham Dechter, Ken Peplowski, Gilbert Castellanos, Rickey Woodard and Adam Schroeder.

*Sunday, Valentines Day Night, will bring together a glorious close to A Weekend For the Love of Jazz, starting with "The Wonder From Down Under"- James Morrison together with Ken Peplowski, Russell Malone, Dan Barrett, Larry Fuller, Katie Thiroux and Willie Jones III. Concert #2 will feature the music of Wes Montgomery & George Shearing with Eric Reed, Graham Dechter, Mike Gurrola, Willie Jones III & Chuck Redd followed by Concert #3 presenting a return appearance by vocalist Jackie Ryan singing selections by Michel Legrand. Celebrating A 30+ year Journey will be the celebrated CLAYTON-HAMILTON JAZZ ORCHESTRA conducted by leaders John Clayton & Jeff Hamilton. And what has become a Valentine's tradition, attendees will be invited to attend Houston's Dance featuring Houston Person, Larry Fuller, Christoph Luty & Jeff Hamilton.

Highlights for this year's Pool Sessions, (Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon until 3:30pm), include B3 wizard Tony Monaco and singer Mike Costley; Cal State Fullerton Jazz Ensemble with special guest- Freda Payne; A Tribute to Gene Harris; the Tom Kubis Big Band plays Jack Sheldon; Beautiful Love with Paulinho Garcia; A Tribute to Paul Desmond with the Bruce Babad Quintet and a "barn burner" set featuring Two Drummers, Two Tenors & Two Trumpets. Additionally, two Champagne Brunches will be offered featuring the weekend's pianists in solos/duos for a Salute to David L. Abell on Saturday and A Gospel & Jazz Meetin' on Sunday featuring Eric Reed, Russell Malone & Houston Person.

Tickets are now available for the complete four night, three-day package including one Champagne Brunch. Prices are $425/475. Individual evening reserved seats are priced at $70/$85 for Friday and Sunday; $75/90 for Saturday evening performances and $55/70 for the Grand Opening Sessions on Thursday. $30 each for "Friday, Saturday & Sunday By the Pool" and $63 for each Jazz Brunch. The Valentines Dinner & Show tickets are $90 and include a 3 course meal (incl. tax & gratuity).



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