By John Soeder, The Plain Dealer
February 23, 2010, 12:00PM
Pianist Ramsey Lewis, a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, and the Grammy-winning hip-hop group the Roots are among the artists booked for the 31st annual Tri-C JazzFests eclectic lineup.
The festivities kick off Thursday, April 15, with a free parade around Clevelands Tower City Center and Public Square, and run through Sunday, April 25.
Also on the agenda is a Happy Birthday, Henry Mancini! concert Friday, April 16, at PlayhouseSquares Allen Theatre, on the 86th anniversary of the late composers birth. Mancini, who was born in Cleveland, is renowned for his film and television music, including Moon River (from Breakfast at Tiffanys), The Pink Panther Theme and The Peter Gunn Theme. The concert will feature his daughter, singer Monica Mancini, as well as trumpeter Sean Jones and the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, among others.
Mancini is an important figure in the development of jazz, said Beth Rutkowski, the festivals managing director. He was a critical composer in terms of bringing jazz to the non-jazz world.
JazzFests artist-in-residence will be bassist and longtime Ornette Coleman sideman Charlie Haden.
Following is the JazzFest schedule. Tickets go on sale at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, at tricpresents.com, or charge by phone, 216-241-6000.
Thursday, April 15
The Shaw High School Marching Band leads a parade at 5 p.m. around Tower City Center, 230 West Huron Road, Cleveland, and Public Square. Free.
Friday, April 16
The Happy Birthday, Henry Mancini! concert features the composers daughter, singer Monica Mancini, at 8 p.m. at PlayhouseSquares Allen Theatre in Cleveland. Shell be joined by trumpeter Sean Jones and the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, clarientist-saxophonist Paquito DRivera, trumpeter Dominick Farinacci, trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, pianist Mulgrew Miller and saxophonist Ted Nash. The performance will include film clips from movies scored by Mancini, including Breakfast at Tiffanys. Tickets are $45-$65.
Saturday, April 17
Pianist Joe Hunter presides over the Jazz for Kids concerts at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Childrens Museum of Cleveland, 10730 Euclid Ave. Tickets are $5-$10.
Evelyn Wright and others perform during a Women in Jazz concert showcasing the music of bossa nova maestro Antonio Carlos Jobim at 1 p.m. at Mt. Zion Congregational Church of Christ, 10723 Magnolia Drive, Cleveland. Free.
The Roots, a Grammy-winning hip-hop group and Jimmy Fallons house band, headline a show at 8 p.m. at the Allen Theatre. Tickets are $25-$45.
The Roots
Sunday, April 18
The Gerald Clayton Trio and the Theo Croker Group share the stage for a Debut Series gig at East Cleveland Public Library, 14101 Euclid Ave. Free.
Pianist Gerald Clayton
Monday, April 19
Guitarist Jack Wilkins and the Cleveland Jazz Initiative perform at 7 p.m. at Brothers Lounge, 11609 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. Tickets are $10.
Guitar master Jack Wilkins
Tuesday, April 20
Hammond B-3 organ virtuosos Eddie Baccus Sr. and Tony Monaco team up for a concert at 8 p.m. at Karamu House, 2355 East 89th St., Cleveland. Free.
Wednesday, April 21
The Omar Sosa Afreecanos Quartet performs at 8 p.m. at MOCA Cleveland, 8501 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland. Tickets are $25.
Omar Sosa
Thursday, April 22
Bassist Charlie Hadens Quartet West and saxophonist Joe Lovano perform at 8 p.m. at the Tri-C Metro Auditorium, 2900 Community College Ave., Cleveland. Tickets are $30.
Friday, April 23
Pianist Ramsey Lewis and singer Patti Austin perform at 8 p.m. at the Allen Theatre. Tickets are $25-$45.
Saturday, April 24
Frances Orchestre National de Jazz headlines the Around Robert Wyatt concert at 8 p.m. at the Tri-C Metro Auditorium, featuring the music of prog-rock pioneer Robert Wyatt. Also on the bill is the Metta Quintet. Tickets are $15.
The Smooth Jazz All-Stars concert at 8 p.m. at the Allen Theatre features singer-guitarist Nick Colionne, sax players Richard Elliot and Paul Taylor, singers Phil Perry and Brenda Russell and keyboardist Brian Simpson. Tickets are $25-$45.
Sunday, April 25
Under the direction of saxophonist Howie Smith and bassist Glenn Holmes, TCJF SoundWorks performs bassist Charlie Hadens Liberation Music Orchestra works, with Haden as special guest, at 7 p.m. at the East Cleveland Public Library. Free.
The Festival closes with a performance of Charlie Hadens Liberation Music
