6th Annual Kingston Jazz Festival goes Latin

The Kingston Jazz Society is pleased to present The Sixth Annual Kingston Jazz Festival from September 21 to 23. This year's three-day festival is focused on the hot rhythms and romantic melodies of Latin jazz. The KJF will feature many of Canada's most talented and internationally recognized Latin Jazz musicians performing a wide range of musical styles in the relaxed surroundings of the Octave Theatre.

The festival will cover the spectrum of Latin jazz from South America to the Caribbean. Opening night will kick off with the spirited Cuban roots-soul of Kingston's own Mario Franco Quartet, followed by Montreal's award winning and immensely talented Alex Bellegarde Quartet who cook up a blend of Cuban folk and jazz that stretch musical boundaries in new directions.

Friday night will showcase the cool, confident and joyous post-bop virtuosity of Cuban born pianist David Virelles' quartet with their special guest trumpeter Alexander Brown who will perform contemporary Cuban jazz that has a blend of grace and power in its complex melodies and soaring solos.

Saturday will feature a provocative, relaxed and swaying exploration of Brazilian rhythms by the Toronto based collective Sambacana. Led by the critically acclaimed drummer and percussionist Alan Hetherington, this seven piece group will play everything from Bossa-nova, rhumba and Samba to Brazilian folk and funk that will have audiences on their feet and dancing in the aisles.

This wonderful week of music will also include exciting Latin jazz events in downtown clubs that will keep the party going well until the late night hours.

For additional information about artists appearing at the festival or ticket prices please visit www.kingstonjazz.com or call Dave Coon at 613-546-6018. Tickets to individual shows or festival passes can be purchased at the Grand Theatre box office (613-530-2050).