In honor of celebrating the art of music, Solvang is set
to hosts its Jazz Festival Sept. 27-29 to raise
awareness for the beauty of the jazz genre.
The Solvang Jazz Festival will begin at 1-2 p.m.
Thursday Sept. 27, in a performance for all Santa Ynez
Valley students at the Solvang school gym and will kick off with performances
by the Bobby Rodriguez Ensemble. The concert will also include a performance by
T.S. Monk, son of famed jazz artist Thelonius Monk.
The three-day event is sponsored in part by Comcast
Cable, the Chumash Casino and Resort and Michael Stars.
Founding the festival is President of Universal Jazz and
Progressive (UGJPM) Music, Stix Hooper, who has
partnered up with coordinator Ron Colone to make the
event a screaming success. The two have been working and planning together
since 2005.
Hooper said the purpose of the festival is to make it an
annual event for years to come and that has been a wish of the committee and
the chamber as well.
“It’s important to really raise the awareness and appreciation
of America’s indigenous art form- jazz music,” Colone
said.
Colone
added seeing these musicians focus more on the content of the music rather than
image as they are not popularly known.
“Secondly, [it’s important] to provide another wonderful
community event. It adds to our quality of life,” Colone
said.
Bringing more Jazz culture to the town, the event
continues on Friday Sept. 28 at 1 p.m. and will be held at the Solvang
Veteran’s Memorial Hall- where music fans can walk the red carpet into a themed
Jazz mania.
Musicians set to perform feature Frank Capp, Juggernaut
and Ernie Andrews. Food and drinks will be provided by New West Catering and
fine wines donated from many local Santa Ynez
wineries.
The grand finale, “Groovin’ in
the Park,” will commence at 1 p.m. at Solvang Park and will continue on at the
historic Solvang Festival Theatre at 7 p.m.
The finale, deemed the “All-Star Jazz concert,” will
include an explosion of performances- bringing some of Jazz’s finest to perform
together. Musicians include Hubert Laws, Freddie Hubbard, Patrice Rushen and Roy McCurdy, making the event the first time for
the artists to collaborate in one performance.
Adding more excitement to the evening, percussionist,
drummer and singer Airto Moreira
will be performing, as well as multi-instrumentalist Bob Sheppard.
The grand finale will also be announcing the two student
musician winners, who entered their jazz performances in a contest for young
musicians.
Colone
said he is very enthused to see Hubert Laws perform, as well as Airto Moreira.
“Certain people know certain names, but the level of
artistry that is going to be present at these events is the most exciting
factor.”
“I’m excited to see all the musicians,” Hooper said.
“Everyone there is a special and unique individual.”
“I hope it’s sold out everywhere. I’m expecting it to be
a success and hope it will be,” Hooper added.
Executive Director of Solvang’s Chamber of Commerce
Linda Jackson is looking forward to the event as well, stating it has been an
honor to be a part of the festival.
“The Solvang Chamber is proud to be a large part of the
planning process in helping to bring the first Jazz Festival to Solvang,”
Jackson said. She added it has been a “delight” working with the UGJPM team.
“I know each of the venues will be huge successes and we
are so pleased that the students are part of the overall program,” Jackson
said.
“Now I can’t wait to sit back and enjoy the
performances,” she said.
Ticket and additional information are
available at www.solvangjazz.com.