Pennsylvania’s Jazz Greats in the Spotlight
GETTYSBURG, PA -- A 78-year old jazz legend who “sounds like a fountain of youth in song,” paired with an accomplished New Orleans Dixieland-style bassist and band leader, and a amazing array of regional jazz talent, comprise The Gettysburg Festival’s 2009 jazz lineup.
The Gettysburg Festival, June 18-28, offers about 100 cultural events in all genres of the arts including brass, jazz, orchestra, culinary events, theater, cabaret, visual arts and children’s events.
“Jazz pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal is one of the most revered improvisers in jazz history,” explains John “Buzz” Jones, Gettysburg Festival Artistic Director for Jazz. “I thought it was particularly appropriate to invite Mr. Jamal because he is a Pennsylvania native. Born in Pittsburgh in 1930, he is recognized as one of the most creative and influential pianists of the past two generations. Miles Davis, Jack DeJohnette, and Keith Jarrett all cite Ahmad as a major influence on their music.”
Gettysburg Festival jazz events are clustered in the timeframe between June 25 – 28 and include the following highlights:
Several of the Festival’s jazz artists will offer workshops in a variety of jazz topics for students at the Eighth Annual Mason-Dixon Jazz Camp on the campus of Gettysburg College.
The only jazz event requiring a ticket is Ahmad Jamal’s performance, with tickets available through the Festival website, GettsyburgFestival.org, or by contacting the Majestic Theater: GettysburgMajestic.org or (717) 337-8200. All other jazz performances are free and open to the public, with preferred seating available for a $10 donation.
NPR Reviewer Shaunna Morrison Machosky named Jamal’s 2008 release one of the “Ten Best Jazz Albums of 2008” and writes,“It's Magic, piano legend Ahmad Jamal's first CD in three years, was worth the wait. He still makes fresh, original music at age 78, as evidenced by the new composition ‘Fitnah,’ which fits nicely alongside jazz standards such as the title track and ‘The Way You Look Tonight.’ It's Magic sounds like a fountain of youth in song.”
For more information on The Gettysburg Festival, check gettysburgfestival.org or call 717-334-0853.
The Gettysburg Festival Inc. is a non-profit cultural arts festival showcasing American art forms. This cultural tourism initiative appeals to all ages by presenting world-class artists and performers, along with unique educational opportunities, against the historic backdrop of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The Festival further diversifies Gettysburg’s economic base through the vitality of arts and culture. Our vision is to become one of the premier cultural festivals in America.
GETTYSBURG, PA -- A 78-year old jazz legend who “sounds like a fountain of youth in song,” paired with an accomplished New Orleans Dixieland-style bassist and band leader, and a amazing array of regional jazz talent, comprise The Gettysburg Festival’s 2009 jazz lineup.
The Gettysburg Festival, June 18-28, offers about 100 cultural events in all genres of the arts including brass, jazz, orchestra, culinary events, theater, cabaret, visual arts and children’s events.
“Jazz pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal is one of the most revered improvisers in jazz history,” explains John “Buzz” Jones, Gettysburg Festival Artistic Director for Jazz. “I thought it was particularly appropriate to invite Mr. Jamal because he is a Pennsylvania native. Born in Pittsburgh in 1930, he is recognized as one of the most creative and influential pianists of the past two generations. Miles Davis, Jack DeJohnette, and Keith Jarrett all cite Ahmad as a major influence on their music.”
Gettysburg Festival jazz events are clustered in the timeframe between June 25 – 28 and include the following highlights:
- Now in its 30th year, The Buzz Jones Big Band is recognized as central Pennsylvania’s leading jazz orchestra and is dedicated to performing the re-orchestrated masterpieces of the Great American Songbook. This outstanding 16-member group will be joined by vocalist Cathy Chemi for their performance on June 25th.
- The Mason-Dixon Jazz Camp Faculty Septet hails from South Jersey, Philadelphia, Washington and Baltimore. All of the musicians have impressive performance credits and will present an entertaining concert on the evening of June 26th.
- Paul Austerlitz & Friends play the Festival Main Stage, June 27th. Austerlitz, an active jazz composer and musician specializing in the bass and contrabass clarinets, welcomes world-renowned percussionist Babatunde Lea on drums, among others.
- Jazz headliner Ahmad Jamal plays the historic Majestic Theater in downtown Gettysburg on June 27th, between stops in Lyon, France; San Francisco, California and New York. This celebrated pianist and composer continues to enjoy a stellar career that has spanned five decades and will be joined by bassist James Carrack, drummer James Johnson II and percussionist Manolo Badrena.
- Bassist Ed Wise brings his New Orleans-style Dixieland Band to the Festival Main Stage on the final day of the Festival, June 28th. This accomplished musician’s career has flourished across North America—first in Texas, then in Canada and New Orleans—where New Orleans Magazine named him one of New Orleans’ “Jazz All-Stars.” Wise is now based in Philadelphia and tours nationally.
Several of the Festival’s jazz artists will offer workshops in a variety of jazz topics for students at the Eighth Annual Mason-Dixon Jazz Camp on the campus of Gettysburg College.
The only jazz event requiring a ticket is Ahmad Jamal’s performance, with tickets available through the Festival website, GettsyburgFestival.org, or by contacting the Majestic Theater: GettysburgMajestic.org or (717) 337-8200. All other jazz performances are free and open to the public, with preferred seating available for a $10 donation.
NPR Reviewer Shaunna Morrison Machosky named Jamal’s 2008 release one of the “Ten Best Jazz Albums of 2008” and writes,“It's Magic, piano legend Ahmad Jamal's first CD in three years, was worth the wait. He still makes fresh, original music at age 78, as evidenced by the new composition ‘Fitnah,’ which fits nicely alongside jazz standards such as the title track and ‘The Way You Look Tonight.’ It's Magic sounds like a fountain of youth in song.”
For more information on The Gettysburg Festival, check gettysburgfestival.org or call 717-334-0853.
The Gettysburg Festival Inc. is a non-profit cultural arts festival showcasing American art forms. This cultural tourism initiative appeals to all ages by presenting world-class artists and performers, along with unique educational opportunities, against the historic backdrop of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The Festival further diversifies Gettysburg’s economic base through the vitality of arts and culture. Our vision is to become one of the premier cultural festivals in America.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
