BRIAN CULBERTSON'S NAPA VALLEY JAZZ GETAWAY RETURNS

When multitalented musician Brian Culbertson announced the first Napa Valley Jazz Getaway last New Year’s day, he didn’t imagine that the 5-day celebration of music and wine in the Golden State’s idyllic wine country would sell out in just one week, but that is exactly what happened. The chart-topper and high-energy performer will again top the marquee of the 2013 edition slated for June 5-9 that adds numerous events to the schedule and luster to the list of performers in the form of Grammy winners Take 6, Ray Parker Jr., Norman Brown and Kirk Whalum united with Rick Braun as BWB, seminal funk outfit Larry Graham & Graham Central Station, saxophonists Eric Darius and Michael Lington, guitarist Nick Colionne, party band DW3 and special guest comedian Sinbad. Ticket packages are currently on sale and are being made available in four phases with priority given to returning guests.

In June, over 1,200 attendees will again converge upon Napa Valley from all over the nation to experience this extraordinary opportunity for jazz and wine enthusiasts to share their common passions with their favorite musicians. Festival goers will enjoy headline concerts at the Napa Valley Opera House and Lincoln Theater while more intimate shows will be held at several wineries including Silver Oak and Chimney Rock. VIPs will be treated to a solo piano performance by Culbertson staged in the wine cave at Miner Family Winery, which was one of the most buzzed about shows this year. Throughout the festival, the backstage divide is removed allowing fans to interact freely with the musicians while dining, during wine receptions and tastings at one of the many winery partners, at autograph sessions, a golf tournament at Silverado Resort & Spa, and casual evening hangs at the Westin Verasa Napa for the late night crowd. A silent auction will be held in support of music education to benefit The GRAMMY Foundation with the hopes of far surpassing this year’s impressive haul of over $31,000.

“Wine and jazz have always been a perfect fit so to be able to share those two passions of mine with people who share similar tastes is truly a gift. Our amazing lineup for 2013 is very exciting and we’ve partnered with some of the finest wineries and restaurants in Napa to ensure that the music, food and wine will be first class all the way! I had a feeling we were onto something when we created this one of a kind getaway and the enthusiastic response from the fans far exceeded even our own expectations. I can’t wait to welcome everyone to Napa, share the stage with some of my good friends, and kick back with a glass of wine while taking in the beauty of the magical Napa Valley,” said Culbertson, the Napa Valley Jazz Getaway’s founder and artistic director.

Through 13 solo albums and worldwide concerts tours, Culbertson has established himself as a consistent hitmaker and a consummate entertainer, which has made him one of the most popular artists on the contemporary jazz scene. The award-winning multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer distills a smooth, soul-splashed vintage of shimmering jazz, R&B funk grooves and mellifluous adult pop. His latest collection, “Dreams,” was released last summer and was supported by solo and co-headline concert tours with sax legend David Sanborn.

Tickets for Brian Culbertson’s Napa Valley Jazz Getaway are available as VIP (5-day pass for $1,999 per person), Gold (4-day pass for $449 per person) and Silver (2-day pass for $199 per person) packages. For more information, including an itemized breakdown of the ticket packages, the complete schedule of events, or to watch video highlights from the 2012 Napa Valley Jazz Getaway, please visit www.NapaValleyJazzGetaway2013.com.