7th Annual Hawaii International Jazz Festival To Raise Over $100,000 for College Scholarships

(HONOLULU) - May 19, 2000 -- The Hawaii International Jazz Festival returns to the Hawaii Theatre from Thursday, July 20 to Saturday, July 23 with four scintillating nights of Gospel & Blues, Hawaiian, International and Big Band Jazz - including world artists and the best in Hawaii's homegrown talent.

As in past years, free daily jazz clinics with major artists and high school and college students will be open to the public at the historic Hawaii Theatre in downtown Honolulu. After-concert jam sessions are also open.

The Seventh Annual Hawaii International Jazz Festival is presented by Starbucks, Foodland, City & County of Honolulu, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Oahu Visitors Bureau, Hawaiian Regent Hotel, The Honolulu Advertiser, Bestsellers Books, Oceanic Cable, Bravo Network, ABC Stores, Starr Seigle Communications and the Honolulu Symphony.

Special attractions this year include:

A tribute to Martin Denny, now 89, who popularized the “exotic" style of ethnic pop music in the 1950s. The album “Exotica" and its hit single “Quiet Village" influenced a generation and have found new favor since the mid-1980s. Reminiscent of tropical jungles and beaches, the soothing, natural sounds evoke the tranquillity and mystery of the Pacific Islands. Exotic instruments and the trademark birdcalls highlight his strong melodies.

Two gospel choirs -- Central Oahu Harvest Choir and City of Refuge Voices of Praise -- a rare chance in Hawaii to hear the best traditional African American music derived from church and blues singing.

The Kenny Endo Taiko Jazz Ensemble, at the Honolulu International Jazz Festival for the first time.

“For our lucky seventh year, we are again bringing in some of the world's best jazz talent and Hawaii jazz fans love it," said Abe Weinstein, festival director. “But this festival is unique among jazz events in that it raises money for scholarships that go to students who play here. We have given away more than a half a million dollars in grants."

Here's the present schedule of this year's festival:

Gospel and Blues Night, July 20, features Linda Hopkins with the University of Southern California Big Band, Betty Loo Taylor, Noel Okimoto, Steve Jones, Central Oahu Harvest Choir, City of Refuge Voices of Praise, Gabe Baltazar, Shari Lynn, and special guest artists.

Hawaiian Jazz Night, July 21, offers: Pure Heart, “Mr. Exotica" Martin Denny & Don Tiki, Moe Keale, BB Shawn Ishimoto, Betty Loo Taylor, Sam Ahia, and more.

International Jazz Night, July 22, includes Kenny Endo and his Taiko Jazz Ensemble, Japan's Tiger Okoshi, a special appearance by Pete Christlieb (Doc Severinsen's Tonight Show" tenor saxophonist) and the San Diego State University Big Band, Jimmy Borges, and special guests.

Parade of Big Bands and Scholarship Giveaway Night, July 23: The University of Southern California Jazz Band, San Diego State University Jazz Band, and the University of Hawaii Big Band present over $100,000 in scholarships to lucky young winners! Also performing: the Oahu Junior Jazz Ensemble, Oahu Band Directors Association High School Select Band, and special guests artists Gabe Baltazar, Tiger Okoshi, and Dominic Spera.

“This is important in that it gives our talented local pool of jazz musicians a shot at the 'Big Time,' providing them with opportunities and resources they might not have otherwise," says Weinstein.

Tickets to the concerts are $20.00, $31.50, & $36.50 per night at the Hawaii Theatre Box Office (808.528.0506) or all Starbucks locations. Four-night passes are $60, $94.50 and $109.50, meaning one night is free. Foodland Maika'i Club members get a $5.00 discount on any single ticket or a four-night pass.) Special discounts also available to seniors, military personnel and students.

The daily free jazz workshops at the Hawaii Theatre from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. will feature high school and college big bands working on improvisation, rehearsal techniques and advanced repertoire. Major jazz artists will lend their knowledge to these workshops. The Festival All-Stars will keep the music flowing at post-concert jam sessions each night from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.

For more information, call the Festival office at 941-9974 or visit the Hawaii International Jazz Festival on the web at www. maui.net/~hukilau/jazzfest.html.