San Jose Jazz today announced the headlining artists for the 18th Annual Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival Presented by Southwest Airlines. Scheduled for August 8 - 12, 2007, the festival will feature hundreds of musicians on ten indoor and outdoor stages throughout downtown San Jose. The 2007 Festival will have new attractions including an R & B stage, a change of venue for the popular Jazz Beyond stage and even more after-hours activities.
“Downtown is moving uptown for this year’s Festival with a new R & B Stage at San Pedro Square,” said Geoff Roach, Executive Director at San Jose Jazz. “The Festival continues to grow both in size and with the scope of music we offer. This year was the perfect time to expand our jazz spectrum as well as change some of the stage venues.
The roster of talent includes festival kick off with R&B star Angie Stone (Main Stage Friday), contemporary jazz saxophonist and bass guitarist Gerald Albright (Main Stage Saturday), David ‘Fathead’ Newman with a tribute to Ray Charles (Main Stage Saturday), Red Holloway's 80th birthday party featuring Frank Morgan, Charles McPherson and Greg Osby (Main Stage Sunday), guitarist Lee Ritenour (Main Stage Sunday) and legendary Bay Area bandleader Pete Escovedo (Main Stage Sunday).
Opening Night Gala Moves to Wednesday
The 2007 Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival kicks off on the evening of Wednesday, August 8, 2007 with the Opening Night Gala and Concert at the Mexican Heritage Plaza. The event will feature a concert, dinner, and a live and silent auction. Details will be announced at a later date.
Friday Night Kickoff with Angie Stone
The Jazz Festival proper begins on the evening of the Friday, August 10, 2007, at 5:30pm on the Main Stage in the Plaza de Cesar Chavez. Stone is a Grammy Award-nominated American R&B, hip-hop, and neo-soul singer, songwriter, keyboardist, record producer, and actress. Her music possesses a clear old school soul music influence, and her singing vocals recall those of Aretha Franklin.
One of the most innovative and unique events at the Festival is the “Jazz Beyond” Stage. This year, the stage moves from indoors at the San Jose Repertory Theatre to outside near the corner of San Pedro and Post Streets and will partner with the Pacific Arts Collective (PAC) to incorporate visual arts into the Jazz Beyond experience. Additional Friday night activities include music in many downtown restaurants, an outdoor swing dance, and the first festival club crawl. Returning for the second time this year is the Silicon Valley CEO Jam where executives from the area will gather for a jam session and fundraiser.
Saturday Features New Venues, More After Hours Activities
On Saturday, August 11, 2007, performances will commence at noon at nine of the Jazz Festival's stage venues. The Main Stage will kick off in high gear with the Airmen of Note, the big band from the United States Air Force. At 2pm, the Main Stage will host the contemporary sounds of Gerald Albright. Also performing Saturday on the Main Stage will be David ‘Fathead’ Newman with a tribute to Ray Charles at 4pm.
Other Saturday performers will include vocalist Jackie Ryan, who makes her return to San Jose from her March performance at the San Jose Jazz Sunday Series, Bay Area-native vocalist Sasha Dobson, and San Jose's Ambassador of Jazz Eddie Gale on the Jazz at the Rep Stage. Jazz guitarist Ray Obiedo and Bay Area favorite Wayne Wallace will bring some sizzle to the outdoor Latin stage, Leela James performs on the R&B Stage and blues legend Charlie Musslewhite closes the Blues Stage starting at 7:00pm.
Saturday also features “Jazz After Dark” on Post Street, Jam Sessions at the Theater on San Pedro Square, 48 Hours Jazz Club at the Smoke Tiki Lounge, film screenings at the Camera Cinemas, Master Classes, Youth Stage inside the Tech Museum, and much, much more.
Sunday Features Birthdays and a Day of All-Stars
Happy 80th Birthday Red Holloway! Sunday’s Main Stage kicks off with a birthday tribute to remember. Red Holloway will lead in a tribute to himself featuring Frank Morgan, Charles McPherson and Greg Osby. Sunday’s Main Stage also features two All Star showcases with Lee Ritenour’s All-Star’s featuring Dave Grusin, Alex Acuna and Brian Bromberg. Closing the Festival will be a lively and unforgettable ensemble of the Latin All Stars featuring Jimmy Bosh, trombone, Ray Vega, trumpet, Arturo O’Farrill, piano, Steve Berrios, drums, Yunior Cabrera, bass, Juan Escovedo, percussion, and Pete Escovedo, timbales.
Additional Sunday performers include vocalist Denise Donatelli, guitarist John Jorgensen and the Shane Dwight Blues Band.
"Comcast is proud to continue our title sponsorship for this great community event," said Eddie Garcia, Vice President of Government Affairs for Comcast. "The Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival brings a welcome spotlight to the music and education programs San Jose Jazz provides all year long.
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