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Juneau Jazz & Classics Festival Returns |
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Written by Ronaldo Oregano
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Tuesday, 14 March 2006 |
 Matt Wilson, Photo by Andrea Canter
With a lineup of superb jazz, blues and classical artists
appearing as part of the 20th annual Juneau Jazz & Classics, this
unique musical celebration is giving music loving travelers a good
reason to pack their bags. This May 19-27, Juneau Jazz & Classics
presents its 9-day festival with an ultimate roster of world-renowned
talent, in concert, on catamaran cruises, in scenic churches and free
events. Travel packages, called the Festival Passport, including
lodging at the festival’s sponsor hotels, Aspen Hotels and the Westmark
Baranof, and concert tickets provide for this world-class event to lure
you to a place where scales are not only on fresh king salmon. Top it
off with a discount from Alaska Airlines and there’s no better time to
enjoy all Juneau has to offer.
This unique festival eloquently combines jazz and classical music
traditions and doesn’t stop there. Experience 9-days of live music by
over 30 world-renowned artists including Matt Wilson’s Arts & Crafts. The Campbell
Brothers, are bound to raise the roof with the soaring, wailing,
shouting, singing and swinging sounds of the sacred steel guitar. Add a
high energy rhythm section and gusty gospel vocals for an
extraordinarily uplifting musical experience.
Returning festival favorite Paul deLay, who spent 10 months as #1 on
the Living Blues magazine radio charts, brings his band and their
hard-hitting blues, fiery musicianship and original tunes presented
with soulful gusto. This Oregon-based harmonica blues driven band will
showcase a rootsy, gritty sound based on Chicago and Texas blues
traditions. A double bill including blues vocalist Duffy Bishop
high-energy and electric interaction with audiences ensures a high
energy performance opening night and the next day on the blues cruises
for those who have not yet has enough.
The straight ahead, post-bop jazz of Matt Wilson’s Arts & Crafts
Quartet is wholesomely quirky with humor and non-stop energy.
Bandleader Matt Wilson has riffed with the likes of Wynton Marsalis,
Freddie Hubbard and Joanne Brackeen and recently recorded a show for
Canadian television where he played drums, electric drill and a juicer.
Wilson was named #1 Rising Star Drummer in DOWNBEAT International
Critic's Poll three years in a row. “Audiences love Matt Wilson, easily
one of the best drummers of his generation,” New York Times. Add jazz
vocalist Carla Cook and the stage comes to life with an earthy
sophistication and tremendous soul. This jazz diva has soul and sings
it with rhythmic flair and emotion.
Grammy-winning contemporary children’s musician, Red Grammer, will
mesmerize and engage music lovers of all ages with his energetic and
original repertoire in Red on the Green. Visitors will want to pack
their lawn chairs and picnic blankets for this event to be held on the
green tennis courts of JRC – The Alaska Club.
The classical artist lineup includes Svetaslav Stoyanov, marimba and
percussion, as he performs the world premier of an Ian Moss composition
for marimba and violin. Joining him will be Philippe Djokic, violin;
Evan Drachman, cello; Laura Klugherz, violin & viola; Annaliesa
Place, violin; Linda Rosenthal, violin; Paul Rosenthal, violin &
viola; Mary Ruth Ray, viola; Susan Salm, cello; and Lynn Stodola,
piano. As the 20th annual resident ensemble, they will perform in a
classical cruise, two performances in the scenic venue Chapel by the
Lake (Vintage to Vanguard and Opus 20!) and at Puttin’ on the Ritz, an
event that combines classical music with jazz and wine tasting; not to
mention in the free Brown Bag Concert Series.
Admission ranges from free to $60; most evening concerts are $20 for
general admission. There are special prices for senior citizens, full
time students and children. New this year are Student Rush tickets
offered one hour prior to show time. Tickets can be purchased online at
www.jazzandclassics.org; Juneau’s local bookstore, Hearthside Books; by
calling Juneau Jazz & Classics directly at (907) 463-3378; and at
the door. Tickets go on sale April 17th.
Nearly 6,000 people attend Juneau Jazz & Classics each year. The
event has become the highlight of the start of the summer season in
Southeast Alaska. Juneau Jazz & Classics is gaining international
attention, and makes Juneau a prime destination for any traveler who
appreciates fine music.
About the Juneau Jazz & Classics
Festival
Celebrating 20 years, Juneau Jazz & Classics has developed its
reputation as one of the most impressive spring music festivals on the
West Coast. Recognized by its varied programming and world-class jazz,
classical and blues artists, the Festival offers residents and visitors
an exhilarating musical experience.
- Founded in 1986 by a group of Juneau musicians and music lovers
led by violinist Linda Rosenthal, who foresaw a Festival of music,
offering both formal and informal concerts, workshops for musicians of
all ages, youth concerts, outreach activities, and community
interaction with the featured artists.
- Juneau Jazz & Classics is a non-profit organization,
offers numerous community outreach and education programs – striving to
instill enthusiasm for music among wider audiences.
- Events are held throughout the community of Juneau,
including a 970 seat auditorium, 280 seat churches, hotels,
restaurants, bars and even on-board catamaran cruises. Events also take
place in public places such as office building atriums, malls at in
schools.
- Festival events are known for their intimacy and superb sound.
- Chamber artists perform in a variety of settings throughout the
Festival, extending their repertoire throughout the Festival from free
noon concerts to evening events.
- Many eminent musicians including among them: jazz and blues
artists Blind Boys of Alabama, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Bela Fleck and
the Flecktones, Diana Krall, Paul de Lay Band and Poncho Sanchez; and
classical artists Vivica Genaux, mezzo-soprano; Sharon Isbin, guitar
and Alan Chow, piano. And, Quarteto Gelato, the New Century Saxophone
Quartet and Meridian Arts Ensemble have performed at the Festival,
among many others.
- Sponsors include: Alaska Airlines, Alaska Marine Lines,
Allen Marine Tours, Aspen Hotels, ConocoPhillips, Juneau Empire, Royal
Caribbean, University of Alaska Southeast, KTOO-FM, Princess Tours,
Alaskan Brewing Company, Alaska Litho, Cruise West, JRC-The Alaska
Club, Wells Fargo and First National Bank Alaska.
- Many generous individuals and businesses make it
possible to bring this Festival to Juneau. Ticket sales account for one
third of the annual budget. The free events, special programs for young
people, education components, and special prices for senior citizens
and students are made possible because of contributions. Juneau Jazz
& Classics is funded in part through generous grants from the Paul
G. Allen Family Foundation, Alaska State Council on the Arts, the
National Endowment for the Arts and the City & Borough of Juneau.
The Festival Passport is your ticket to the Juneau Jazz & Classics
9-day musical celebration. With savings at over 30% - this package
offers countless opportunities. Passports as low at $220 can be
purchased directly through Juneau Jazz & Classics by calling (907)
463-3378, or through the Juneau Jazz & Classics website,
www.jazzandclassics.org
beginning April 17th. Package prices and
details can be found at
www.jazzandclassics.org/travel.
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 Thursday, 21 August 2008
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