Jazz festivals roundup
Budget Travel Online recently asked Patricia Myers, a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based journalist, to highlight a handful of this summer's jazz festivals. Myers--who specializes in writing about travel, food, and the arts for Allaboutjazz.com and other publications--suggested the following picks.
Aug. 24-26, Prescott Jazz Summit, Prescott, Ariz.: This festival runs
Friday through Sunday and features blues, jazz, and swing from national musicians, with a portion of the proceeds going to local music programs. Headliners include Bud Shank, Bob Florence, Carl Saunders, Mike Vax, Scott Whitfield, Margo Reed, Joel Robin, Blaise Lantana, Dwight Kilian, Tony Vacca, Jack Peterson, Bob Lashier, Les Czimber, and Cleve Huff. You'll pay $70 per person for a weekend pass, or $25 for each concert; $100 per person to attend a "Meet Musicians" dinner, plus a Friday-night concert; or $40 per person for a jazz brunch. Learn more at prescottjazz.com.
Sept. 21-23, 50th annual Monterey (Calif.) Jazz Festival: Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman, Diana Krall, Dave Brubeck, Jim Hall, Gerald Wilson Orchestra, Terence Blanchard, Dave Holland-Gonzalo Rubalcaba-Chris Potter, Jim Hall-Kenny Burrell, Cyrus Chestnut, All-Star Band (James Moody, Nnenna Freelon, Terence Blanchard, Benny Green), Hammond B3 Blowout with Joey DeFrancesco Trio and Atsuko Hashimoto Trio (with Houston Person and Jeff Hamilton). Learn more at montereyjazzfestival.com.
Sept. 25-30, The 26th Annual Sedona (Calif.) Jazz on the Rocks Festival:
-- Sept.25, Catch a screening of the film Anita O'Day, The Life of a Jazz Singer, $10 per person to see the film, which starts at 7 p.m.; dinner-and-a-film combo costs $45 per person; dinner starts at 5:15 p.m.
-- Sept.26, 3-6 p.m. JOR Youth Band concert and 6-p.m. jam session with youth and local musicians, free.
-- Sept.27, Jazz Circle Party featuring vocalist Sandra Booker-pianist Billy Mitchell, $100 per person.
-- Sept.28, New Orleans vocalist Kim Provost-guitarist Bill Solley lead "Kids Who Love Jazz" clinics, also Booker-Mitchell jazz history clinic and performance. Plus, a music industry Q&A; with Larry Gittens, all free; also, at 5 and 7:30 p.m., concerts with Brice Winston-tenor sax plus New Orleans musicians, $50 per person. Other options include a "wine and jazz dinner" with the Charlie Foldesh Combo, $100 per person; also 9-11 p.m. jam session, $20 per person.
-- Sept.29, all-day outdoor festival at Radisson Poco Diablo Resort: Mose Allison (piano and vocals; see photo at left), Stanley Jordan (guitar), Sandra Booker (vocals) with Billy Mitchell (piano), Larry Gittens (smooth trumpet); 8-11 p.m. jam session ($20 per person).
-- Sept. 30, Brunch with jazz duo Kim Prevost and Bill Solley (Learn more about these successful musicians here, $80 per person. Also, clinics will be offered in the afternoon in finger-style guitar and percussion/rhythm, for $40 per person.
Learn more at sedonajazz.com.