Exceptional Pianists scheduled to perform at the festival include headliners Ahmad Jamal, Benny Green (playing with Russell Malone), Freddie Cole with his quartet, Cuban composer-pianist Omar Sosa, Norman Simmons, Cape May's own George Mesterhazy accompanying Red Holloway, Brian Trainor leading the Festival All Star Band, Patti Wicks and many more. Headliners Los Hombres Calientes from New Orleans and the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra add to the excitement and quality of the festival programming. Other highlights include Marcus Belgrave's Tribute to Louis Armstrong and the New Jazz Composer's Octet. Complimenting the array of big names will be vocalist Cynthia Scott, young lion Winston Byrd, Monnette Sudler, Hubert Sumlin Blues Band, Frank Bey and Georgie Bonds, Sylvia Cuenca with Dave Stryker, Bootsie Barnes, the AfroRican Jazz Ensemble, Tim Price, Big James Montgomery and the Chicago Playboys, Keisa Brown plus the family concert featuring The County Allstar Youth Jazz Band, workshops, CD signing party and all the rest!
This season the festival will add new venues to the Friday and Saturday night lineups, and to the Saturday and Sunday afternoon programs. The Chalfonte Hotel Ballroom joins in the fun, The Boiler Room at Congress Hall becomes a jazz club on Saturday night and the Pelican Club will serve jazz dinners on Friday and Saturday night and will host a jazz lunch on Saturday afternoon featuring the Festival All Star Band. The Pelican Club events are a new approach to combining the things we love best: great food, great music and beautiful views of Cape May. The Friday and Saturday night jazz dinners will require reservations for the first set. A jazz festival pass must be purchased to enter the venue, and dinner reservations are required. Beginning at 9pm, the 3-course prix fixe dinner will consist of salad, choice of three entrees and choice of three deserts for $29.95 per person. After dinner during the first set, other jazz festival attendees may be allowed to join your table so that there is room for everyone to hear the performers. Jazz dinner performers include George Mesterhazy with Red Holloway on Friday night and Saturday night Freddie Cole will perform. To attend the Saturday afternoon lunch with the Festival All Star Band, a Saturday afternoon festival pass or weekend pass must be presented. Reservations are suggested, there is no per person minimum for lunch. This is a fabulous venue for the Festival All Star Band who performed at the Corinthian Yacht Club in November.
The Saturday afternoon program will feature two jam sessions at Carney's Main and Other Rooms and a Blues Jam featuring Bluebone, Frank Bey and Georgie Bonds at Cabanas, plus the Festival Allstar Band. A CD signing party and wine tasting sponsored by Andretti Wines will be held from 5pm-6pm.
Also on Saturday, free jazz workshops from 10am
For more information contact All About Jazz.
