|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Grammy and Emmy winner Arturo Sandoval Headlines 4th Annual Silver Spring Jazz Festival September 8 |
|
|
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Thursday, 23 August 2007 |
 Arturo Sandoval © Andrea Canter
The festival will start at 2 p.m. with a showcase of local youth talent in the Jazz Ensemble Caravan, a New Orleans-style parade of youth jazz ensembles traveling throughout the community, followed by the youth bands in competition. The panel of judges will include jazz professionals and on-air jazz radio personalities. The winning youth ensemble will receive the Borders/JazzTimes trophy.
"The popularity of this annual festival, combined with this year's star-studded line-up, makes Downtown Silver Spring THE place to be on September 8, with great entertainment for all ages," said Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett.
A protégé of the legendary jazz master Dizzy Gillespie, Arturo Sandoval was born in Artemisa, a small town in the outskirts of Havana, Cuba in 1949, just two years after Gillespie became the first musician to bring Latin influences into American jazz. He began studying classical trumpet at the age of twelve, and has since evolved into one of the world's most acknowledged guardians of jazz trumpet and flugel horn, as well as a renowned classical artist, pianist and composer. Sandoval has won 4 Grammy Awards, 6 Billboard Awards and an Emmy Award for his composing work on the entire underscore of the HBO movie based on his life, "For Love or Country" starring Andy Garcia. He has recently been seen by millions in the Grammy Awards performing with pop-phenomenon Justin Timberlake as well as on the Latin Billboard Awards with the gifted Alicia Keys, where he was awarded his 6th Billboard Award for "Best Latin Jazz Album."
 Arturo Sandoval © Pamela Espeland
Not only is Arturo a tenured professor at Florida International University, but he works nationally and abroad with innumerable institutions and their music departments offering several scholarships like the Arturo Sandoval's Dizzy Gillespie Trumpet Scholar Award, exercise books, as well as clinics and seminars.
Born and reared in Baltimore, MD, internationally-known jazz vocalist Ethel Ennis' musical interests began at an early age, beginning with playing the piano at age seven, and by fifteen she had grown to encompass rhythm and blues as a complement to her gospel and classical roots. Ennis' career took off after her graduation from high school in 1950, touring with jazz and R&B artists that performed throughout the U.S. and Western Europe. She has performed with a number of accomplished artists such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Wynton Marsalis and Ray Brown. Despite international acclaim and worldwide tours, Ennis has remained in her hometown of Baltimore, receiving an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts Degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art, and becoming involved in the award-winning children's program produced by the Maryland Department of Instructional Television called "Book, Look, and Listen." Ennis uses her music as a weapon to combat prejudice and injustice throughout the world by promoting love, compassion, and unity, and believes music is not only a medium to be used for entertainment, but also a way to "inform and inspire."
Back by popular demand will be homegrown star Marcus Johnson, an extraordinary jazz keyboardist and composer, a successful businessman with his Three Keys Music Label, headquartered in Downtown Silver Spring, and radio-host heard locally on WJZW-FM. He began playing the piano at age nine, and from there, he wanted to "create classics, not just hit songs." Johnson has done the amazing by launching a highly successful record label and releasing seven albums since 1997. Catch this shooting star with his newest CD "Just Doing What I Do." A Silver Spring festival veteran, Johnson always has the crowd up on their feet and grooving with his unique blend of smooth jazz.
As one of only a handful of musicians to successfully demonstrate the harmonica's versatility as a lead instrument in jazz, contemporary jazz harmonicist Frédéric Yonnet is determined to expand the way that people regard the "side" instrument. French-born Yonnet creatively blends jazz and r&b, shuffling up-tempo workouts and African, Latin and European rhythms to add an "Afropean spice" to original and cover tunes. His technical mastery and energetic stage presence has positioned him as one of the most skilled and imaginative young diatonic harmonica players on the international music scene today. Yonnet, accompanied by guitar, keyboard, bass, drums," breathes new life into what is often perceived as a "pocket instrument" or even a toy.
Dani Cortaza's love for latin jazz is evident as his fingers move with fluidity across the guitar. A self-taught musician, Cortaza has more than two decades of artistic life to his credit. Born in Argentina and reared in Paraguay, Cortaza has embarked on a South American tour as a soloist and member of several music ensembles, and performed in Japan on several occasions, including a special private concert for the Heir Prince Naruhito and other members of the Imperial Japanese family. A Kennedy Center concert brought Cortaza to the Washington, DC area in 2002, where he now resides. He is the founder of two dynamic musical groups specializing in latin jazz and Brazilian music, and teaches guitar at the Falls Church Conservatory as well as private lessons.
The Silver Spring Jazz Festival is presented by Montgomery County. Corporate sponsors include METRO, WUSA-TV Channel 9, the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, Borders, Ceviche, Chrysler/Jeep, Comcast, Courtyard by Marriott in Downtown Silver Spring, Discovery Communications, Downtown Silver Spring, The Gazette Newspapers, Home Properties, JazzTimes, PEPCO, The New York Times, Three Keys Music, and WJZW-FM Smooth Jazz 105.9.
Attendees are encouraged to use public transportation and to bring a blanket and/or beach chair. The concert is located a few blocks from the Silver Spring Metro station. Parking will be limited. A wide variety of food will be available from the many local restaurants. For more information, call the Silver Spring Regional Center at (301) 565-7300 or visit www.silverspringdowntown.com. |
|
 Monday, 13 October 2008
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
Home | CD Reviews | Interviews | SF Bay Area | Chicago | Los Angeles | New York | Twin Cities, MN | More Cities | Festivals | FAQ | News | Contact | Video of the Week | 
