Hardliners Include Harry Connick, Jr., Dianne Reeves, Freedom Band with Chick Corea, Kenny Garrett, Christian McBride, Roy Haynes,Ahmad Jamal, Roy Hargrove Big Band and Billy Childs with the Kronos Quartet.
As well, the festival will include many international jazz groups and musicians, such as Septeto Nacional de Cuba, Les Nubians, Angelique Kidjo, Rudresh Mahanthappa and Indo-Pak Coalition, Jake Shimabukuro, Somi, Hristo Vitchev and Romero Lubambo.
Several tributes are scheduled: Mark Levine & the Latin Tinge present “Music of Moacir Santos"; John Firmin & the Nocturne Band give tribute to Hank Crawford, David “Fathead" Newman and Leroy “Hog" Cooper; and the Javon Jackson Band with Les McCann offer “Swiss Movement Revisited."
Many of the major stars who appear on the large outdoor Jimmy Lyons Arena Stage well also appear in other venues, including Dizzy's Den, Bill Berry Stage and the Coffee House Gallery, as well as the outside Garden Stage. For fans, it is a scramble to see all their favorites. Concerts are scheduled simultaneously during day and night.
The festival is presented by Verizon. Tickets are on sale now at (925) 275-9255 and on the website.
