Savannah Music Festival Features Unprecedented Array of Artistry in 18th Annual Event
Savannah (PRWEB) November 2, 2006 -- The 18th Annual Savannah Music Festival announced its season today with a stellar line-up of diverse artists including Wynton Marsalis, Susan Tedeschi, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Marty Stuart, the Borodin Quartet, Dianne Reeves, Jerry Douglas and Anoushka Shankar. From March 15-April 1, 2007, the Festival presents nearly 100 world-class events that highlight symphonic, blues, jazz, gospel, chamber, bluegrass, and world music as well as dance and film and its 14th annual vocal competition.
"The 2007 season is filled with quality musical artists at the top of their field and in their genre," said S. Hart Williford, chairman of the Festival board. "This convergence of artists will once again transform one of America's most beautiful and historic cities into a cultural gathering place where musicians can share their talents, and audiences can revel in inventive productions night after night."
"We remain committed to producing unique musical arts events that offer the joy and adventure of music and music-making to as many people as possible. For 18 days, we want Savannah to be an amazing destination for music lovers," added Rob Gibson, executive and artistic director of the Festival.
2007 Season Highlights include:
• A St. Patrick's Day weekend kick-off that includes performances by the celebrated legendary jazz vocalist Al Jarreau; Celtic folk group Leahy; a first-ever double-bill of four-time Grammy winner and jazz great Dianne Reeves with rocking blues singer and guitarist Susan Tedeschi; and a performance by the acclaimed Irish ensemble Flook.
• A "Savannah Jazz Party" featuring four consecutive evenings and a myriad of jazz styles ranging from ragtime and stride piano to hot jazz and big band swing. Featured artists include Kenny Davern, John Pizzarelli, Marcus Roberts, John Jorgenson, Wycliffe Gordon, Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, Terry Waldo and more.
• A performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion, one of only three U.S. performances by the Wiener Akademie Baroque Orchestra and Musica Angelica directed by Martin Haselbock.
• A performance by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra under Music Director Robert Spano featuring violin soloist Daniel Hope, the Festival's associate artistic director, performing the Violin Concerto by Brahms.
• A vocal recital series featuring three world renowned singers all making their Savannah debut: soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian, tenor Mark Padmore and bass Morrison Robinson.
• Another specially conceived chamber music series, "Sensations," featuring an array of international players under the musical direction of Daniel Hope, performed at the Telfair Museum of Art.
• A litany of Savannah debuts by other celebrated artists including Anoushka Shankar, Leahy, Flook, Noche Flamenca, The Boston Camerata, Ivan Moravec, The Borodin Quartet, and Plena Libre.
The Savannah Music Festival is comprised of several unique series developed around musical genres. Series in the 2007 Festival are as follows:
• Al Jarreau, sponsored by VeriSign, is in class by himself. This single event opens the festival on March 15 and features the five-time Grammy winner and legendary vocalist whose unique vocal style and innovative musical expressions have made him one of the most exciting and critically-acclaimed performers of our time.
• Jazz Now & Forever, sponsored by Robert and Jean Faircloth, features John Pizzarelli and the New York All-Star Big Band; a one-time co-bill of Dianne Reeves and Susan Tedeschi; and a performance by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.
• Savannah Jazz Party, sponsored by Critz, Inc. Mercedes-Benz, includes the "Piano Showdown 2007" with Marcus Roberts, Terry Waldo, Bob Seeley and Bob Baldori; "Le Jazz Hot" with the John Jorgenson Quintet, the Kenny Davern Quartet, and guitarists Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden and James Chirillo; and a program entitled "Swing Time" featuring Wycliffe Gordon, Kenny Davern and the Marcus Roberts Trio.
• Memorial Health Feel Better Series includes Indian sitarist Anoushka Shankar; the traditional Celtic group Leahy; Flook, a contemporary Irish ensemble; and one of Spain's leading flamenco troupes, Noche Flamenca with Soledad Barrio.
• With Passion and Spirit, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Harrison, includes a presentation of Bach's eternal masterpiece, St. Matthew Passion featuring Musica Angelica with the Wiener Akademie Baroque Orchestra and directed by Martin Haselböck; a performance by one of America's preeminent early music ensembles, The Boston Camerata; and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra with conductor Robert Spano.
• Sensations, sponsored by Frances and John Kane, showcases Daniel Hope's curatorial and collaborative skills through four unique concerts featuring works by Dohnanyi, Beethoven, Prokofiev, Schubert, and Bach. In addition to Hope on violin, the elite corps of musicians includes Zuill Bailey, cello; Kristian Bezuidenhout, piano; Philip Dukes, viola; Annika Hope, double-bass; Tim Jones, horn; Benny Kim, violin; Sebastian Knauer, piano; Josephine Knight, cello; Peter Kolkay, bassoon; Patrick Messina, clarinet; Mark Padmore, tenor; CarlaMaria Rodrigues, viola; and Deborah Workman, oboe.
• Singular Voices, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Jepson, Jr., features the great voices of tenor Mark Padmore, bass Morris Robinson, and soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian, each in a solo performance set in Savannah's intimate historic venues.
• Great Performers, sponsored by the Telfair Museum of Art, includes pianist Ivan Moravec performing Mozart, Chopin and Debussy; a unique paring of Philippe Entremont and Sebastian Knauer; cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han; and the Beaux Arts Trio.
• The Connect Americana Series, sponsored by Charles and Rosalie Morris, highlights the mountain folk music of Uncle Earl; blues rocker Susan Tedeschi in a co-bill with four-time Grammy winner Dianne Reeves; Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives; and Steamboat Bill, Jr., a Buster Keaton film set to live piano by Rick Friend.
• Groove Masters, sponsored by Kennickell Print and Communications, includes three "move the tables and dance" concerts in Orleans Hall: a Funky Dance Party featuring Porter-Batiste-Stoltz; a Latin Dance Party featuring Plena Libre; and a Zydeco Dance Party featuring Geno Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie.
• Georgia on My Mind, sponsored by the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and the Savannah Morning News, a multi-disciplinary celebration of home-grown music featuring the film, Awake My Soul: The Story of the Sacred Harp followed by the vocal harmony of the Echoes of Hoboken singing in the Sacred Harp tradition; a performance by Atlanta native singer-songwriter Shawn Mullins; and three lecture/performances entitled "Music in Eighteenth Century Georgia" by Dr. Ron Byrnside; "Bernice Johnson Reagon, My Life as an Artist"; and "Georgian on My Mind, Music in Georgia, 1760-1830" with keyboardist Ann Acker,
• Citi Trends Gospel Truth is the second annual Gospel Workshop and performance under the direction of James Bignon, who will perform with Savannah Music Festival Mass Choir.t
• The American Traditions Competition is the14th annual incarnation of this unique showcase featuring singers from all over the country, competing for a top prize of $10,000 while fostering the continuity of American vocal music.
• Music at Midday again provides a free celebration of diverse music genres by placing instrumentalists, organists, soloists and choirs in the city's most venerable and beautiful landmarks.
• The 2nd Annual High School Jazz Band Workshop, sponsored by Atlanta Gas Light, is led by jazz greats Marcus Roberts, Jim Ketch, Wycliffe Gordon, Don Braden and other renowned jazz performer/educators and also includes a Workshop Honors Band who will open for John Pizzarelli and the New York All-Star Big Band.
• The Gulfstream Music Education Series, sponsored by Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., provides free access to age-appropriate world-class performances for more than 17,000 students from a 13-county area. These concerts are for students only and are not open to the public.
Ticket prices range from $15 to $85, with many events free of charge. Tickets go on sale October 6, 2006, at 10 a.m. at the Trustees Theater box office at 216 E. Broughton Street. Tickets may also be purchased on-line at www.savannahmusicfestival.org or by phone at (912) 525-5050.
About the Savannah Music Festival
The 2007 Savannah Music Festival takes place March 15 -- April 1, 2007. The 18th annual event is dedicated to presenting a world-class celebration of the musical arts by creating timeless and adventurous productions that stimulate arts education, foster economic growth, and unite artists and audiences at the largest music festival in Georgia. For support and information, visit www.savannahmusicfestival.org or call the Festival offices at (912) 234-3378.
# # #
Related Articles:
Lime Studios Launches Lime Music Sound
Santa Monica, CA-based Lime Studios announces the launch of a new music composition and sound design division, Lime Music Sound, featuring DJs from the International electronic dance world.
MP3 Rocket Launches '100 Most Popular Artists' - Faster Way to Download Free Music Downloads, Music Videos, TV Shows and Games
MP3 Rocket the world's most innovative free music and movie downloads, today announced that it has launched the '100 Most Popular Artists'.
MP3 Rocket users vote on their favorite performers and the software automatically displays in the 'most popular' artists by week and month allowing for easy downloading of favorite songs. You can download a free copy of the MP3Rocket software at: http://www.mp3rocket.com
Better Worship - 12 Marks of an Effective Music Ministry
Small BeginningsMy first experience in music ministry happened fairly soon after I first picked up a guitar at 15 years of age. I knew about 20 chords and could play a few songs from a new songbook titled Scripture in Song.
Download PSP Games, Movies, Music, Themes and Buy PSP Games, Accessories, and Core Systems
The new additions to the popular PSP Site, which has allowed customers to download PSP Games, Movies, Music, Themes has now added a section for customers to find a place to buy new PSP Games, Accessories, and Core Systems. This allows customers to find everything at one PSP Site.
Spirit Wing Records Announces Catholic Music 2007 (Praise and Worship 2 CD set)
Spirit Wing Records proudly announces the two CD compilation project entitled Catholic Music 2007. Catholic Music 2007 will feature 32 Catholic recording artists and will resemble the popular Christian project, WOW, which is released every year.
Music Executive Don Pooh Makes Hits With Famous Franchise
Music Executive Don Pooh Makes Hits With Famous Seafood Restaurant Franchise
Music Choice Elevates Gary Susalis to Programming Manager
Music Choice, the leading multi-platform music network that reaches millions of consumers through their TVs, online, and cell phones, today announced the promotion of Gary Susalis to Programming Manager.
New Online Broadcast Service For Gospel Entertainment And Music, Getv, Invites Churches And Gospel Artists To Share Their Ministries With The World
Gospel Entertainment Television (GETV1.com) opens its Web doors to churches, Gospel artists and Christian organizations to invite them to share their ministries with the world.
Elmore Magazine is Saving American Music, One Child at a Time
Elmore Magazine, a national American music publication, knows saving American music starts with children. That's why Elmore is offering free subscriptions to schools making a request.
Hip, Sexy Novel Gives Insider's Look at the Music Industry
How Far Would You Go? by Irene Melo chronicles the struggle of a young Hispanic woman to make it in the music industry.
"'SLAM! I Was Back.' Dr. Cicoria Knew He Was Back in His Own Body Because He Had Pain ..." - from "Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain" by Dr
In one electrifying instant, Dr. Tony Cicoria's life changed forever. He had never thought of becoming a pianist, but at age 42, he was struck by lightning and was overcome with an insatiable desire to begin playing the piano. Dr. Cicoria will perform his first composition, "Lightning Sonata," on Wednesday, October 17th at 7PM at the home of Westport resident Erica vanderLinde Feidner, also known as "The Piano Matchmaker."
Can a Car Company like Mazda Predict that Floor Thirteen Will be the Next Big Rock Band to Break out of the North by Northeast Music Festival?
What does a car company like Mazda know about rock music? Better yet, who wouldn't want to go on a campus joyride with sexy lead singer Jeremy Koz? As Paris Hilton would say, "He's hot!" In today's independent music scene, great rock bands are being picked up by savvy marketing teams before the record labels have time to blink an eye. It's all about the new wave of independent promotion, and Floor Thirteen is rising to the top of the buzz list. Just look at Floor Thirteen's appearances for Mazda, the Sci-Fi Network, Rock Star INXS, Canadian Idol, Astral Records, Barnes and Noble, or XM Radio. Floor Thirteen's next stop is NXNE, the North by Northeast Music and Film Festival, on Thursday, June 7th at 1...
International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum® Launches Online Charity Auction
The International Gospel Music Hall of Fame Charity Auction will help support the vision of "Bringing the Past to the Future and the Future to Pass!"
Auction items range from exotic vacation getaways and adventures such as Fairmont Kea Lani Maui with First Class Airfare and a Hot Air Balloon Ride for Two (Choose from 150 Cities). This charity auction also includes 2007 Sports Packages such as Super Bowl Mania: Tickets & Memorabilia and 2007 Kentucky Derby Experience for Two.
KnowTheMusicBiz.com Debuts Online Community and Resource Center for The Business of Music
Provides Important Information about Today's Music Business from Industry Thought Leaders and Community Members.
Industry Contributors Include John Doe, The Future of Music Coalition and John P. Strohm.
Key Sponsors Include Redeye Distribution and Pabst Brewing Company.
New Reality Adz Reviewer Program Pays Web Users, Bloggers, MySpace and Facebook Users, and Others to Share Opinions on Movies, Music, Restaurants And
Leading consumer review and video advertising site Reality Adz debuts pay for review program where web users anywhere can make and share reviews and get paid; perfect program for Myspace, Facebook, bloggers and others to earn cash