Thu 6/27-Sat 6/29
Tri-C JazzFest rolls into its 40th year June 27-29 with a series of nine blockbuster shows at Playhouse Square theaters, along with the free outdoor events that have become so popular in the last few years.
JazzFest staff announced that lineup at a concert at Nighttown Thu 1/24 that also featured music by trumpet player Dominick Farinacci, who started his music career in Tri-C’s high school jazz program and now maintains an international career. He was joined by guest musicians who included current members of the Tri-C student jazz program.
The festivities get started on Thu 6/27 with a show by Bay area funk/soul ensemble Tower of Power, celebrating their 50th anniversary, in the State Theatre.
On Fri 6/28, there’ll be a tribute to Cleveland-born jazz composer/arranger Tadd Dameron, who had a major influence on the bebop sound of the 40s and 50s. The concert in the Ohio Theatre will feature the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra with vocalist Dianne Reeves and Farinacci as special guest.
Over in the State Theatre, the multi-genre Béla Fleck & the Flecktone, who recently recorded their first album in two decades, will take the stage with legendary jazz guitarist John Scofield and his Combo 66.
At the Allen Theatre, drummer Jeff Hamilton will perform with his new Jeff Hamilton Organ Trio.
Sat 6/29 offers a stellar lineup of five shows, two of them featuring Cleveland area musicians with international reputations. Sax player Ernie Krivda, one of the cornerstones of the Tri-C Jazz Studies program, performs at the Allen Theatre Saturday afternoon with faculty group Swing City. Demonstrating the reach of jazz across generations, 73-year-old Krivda’s opening act is 17-year-old pianist Matthew Whitaker.
Later that evening also at the Allen, Cleveland percussionist Jamey Haddad, who has for years been part of Paul Simon’s touring band, takes the stage with his eight-piece ensemble Under One Sun, a group which explores his dedication to exploring music from around the world.
Another Cleveland connection is the tribute to singer Bobby Womack, who grew up on the east side of Cleveland, at the Ohio Theatre, featuring bassist Christian McBride and special guest vocalists.
At the State Theatre pianist/composer Jeff Lorber will lead a crossover ensemble called Jazz Funk Soul, with a three-sax ensemble called Sax to the Max opening. And the Ohio Theatre will host an afternoon concert by jazz violinist Regina Carter and pianist Xavier Davis, with pianist Helen Sung and tap dancer Michela Marino Lerman providing a unique opening act.
The free outdoor concerts on the Playhouse Square plaza will take place from 3pm-midnight Friday and Saturday. The performers, covering a wide variety of musical styles, will be announced later.
Festival passes, which include VIP seating and other extras, are available now for $250 here. www.jazzfest40. Individual tickets go on sale Mon 4/1.
