31st TRI-C JAZZFEST CLEVELAND

The 31st Annual Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland kicks off spring with a line-up of artists and packed with the variety that JazzFest fans have come to love. From a red carpet birthday salute to the music of Henry Mancini, the jazz of iconic pianist Ramsey Lewis, to fan favorite The Roots and an evening with the Smooth Jazz All-Stars, this year's fest offers something for everyone.JazzFest continues its tradition of spotlighting up-and-coming artists with the "Debut Series," this year featuring the Gerald Clayton Trio and the Theo Croker Group. "Women in Jazz" salutes Antonio Carlos Jobim, the Grammy-winning songwriter of "The Girl from Ipanema," while the prodigious Charlie Haden plays double duty, appearing with his Quartet West and Joe Lovano, and closing out JazzFest with TCJF SoundWorks, now in its second year. Haden is the Tri-C JazzFest Distinguished Artist-in-Residence. For the young, and young at heart, Joe Hunter reprises his "Jazz for Kids" series at the Children's Museum of Cleveland, while Omar Sosa offers a joyful mix of jazz and Afro-Caribbean rhythms at the Museum of Contemporary Art. From France, the 10-piece Orchestre National de Jazz pays homage to Robert Wyatt, a member of the venerable 1960's and 70's band Soft Machine.

Here's a partial performance listing from the 2010 Tri-C JazzFest lineup:

Friday, April 16, 8:00 p.m. – Happy Birthday Henry Mancini!, Allen Theatre, PlayhouseSquare

Saturday, April 17, 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. – Jazz for Kids Featuring Joe Hunter & Friends, Children's Museum of Cleveland

Saturday, April 17, 8:00 p.m. – The Roots, Produced by Jill Newman Productions, Allen Theatre, PlayhouseSquare

Sunday, April 18, 4:00 p.m. – Debut Series with the Gerald Clayton Trio and the Theo Croker Group, East Cleveland Public Library

Monday, April 19, 7:00 p.m. – Jack Wilkins and the Cleveland Jazz Initiative Showcase, Brothers Lounge (Tickets $10)

Tuesday, April 20, 8:00 p.m. – The Eddie Baccus Organ Summit with Special Guest Tony Monaco, Karamu House

Wednesday, April 21, 8:00 p.m. – Omar Sosa Afreecanos Quartet, MOCA Cleveland

Thursday, April 22, 8:00 p.m. – Charlie Haden's Quartet West with Special Guest Joe Lovano, Tri-C Metropolitan Auditorium

Friday, April 23, 8:00 p.m. – An Evening with Ramsey Lewis and Patti Austin, Allen Theatre, PlayhouseSquare

Saturday, April 24, 8:00 p.m. – Orchestre National de Jazz "Around Robert Wyatt", Tri-C Metropolitan Auditorium

Saturday, April 24, 8:00 p.m. – Smooth Jazz All-Stars, Allen Theatre, PlayhouseSquare

Sunday, April 25, 7:00 p.m. – TCJF SoundWorks Plays Charlie Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra with Special Guest Charlie Haden, East Cleveland Public Library