Pennsylvania's jazz greats in the spotlight at Gettysburg Festival

(Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) - 4/21/2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE …

CONTACT:

Karen Hendricksk

PR/Marketing Director

(717) 334-0853

(717) 253-3553

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 an 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,” said 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.

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 25.
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 26.
Paul Austerlitz & Friends play the Festival Main Stage, June 27. 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 27, 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 28. 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 at 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.

For more information on The Gettysburg Festival, visit www.gettysburgfestival.org or call (717) 334-0853.