|
Two 18-piece big bands will set the tempo for the fourth annual Jazz by the Lake Festival May 17 and 18 at Occoneechee State Park. The U.S. Army Blues 18-piece jazz ensemble — the premier jazz ensemble of the U.S. Army — will take the stage at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 18. Army Blues is one of the few remaining professional big bands working today. Comprised of alumni of prestigious music schools and veterans of the professional music scene, it is an ensemble of the finest jazz musicians in the nation.
In keeping with the tradition of America’s only original art form, jazz, the Army Blues strives to preserve the music of such big band legends as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, and Stan Kenton. The Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra, headliners for the Saturday program, will perform at 3 p.m. Saxophonist Gregg Gelb leads the band and his wife, Kathy, brings fresh, provocative vocal style to standards like “Love for Sale.” Also appearing Saturday will be the Joshua Walker Quartet from Charlottesville, Bluestone Middle School Jazz Ensemble, Bluestone High School Jazz Ensemble, and a Longwood University jazz ensemble.
Piedmont blues singer and guitar player Boo Hanks will make special guest appearances both Saturday and Sunday. Appearing on the Sunday bill with the U.S. Army Blues will be the Michael Hawkins Jazz Quartet from Baltimore, Sounds of Baskerville smooth jazz quartet under the direction of saxophonist Gilbert Baskerville, the Appomattox High School Jazz Ensemble, Park View High School Jazz Ensemble, and LeGrande Jazz from Longwood University.
The U.S. Army Blues
The band has performed at world-renowned venues including the Monterey Jazz Festival in California, the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, New York City’s historic Birdland, and Washington, DC’s legendary Blues Alley. The Army Blues has also performed with jazz greats Doc Severinsen, Arturo Sandoval, Stanley Turrentine, Louie Bellson, Marlena Shaw, James Moody, Kevin Mahogany, Dave Brubeck, Slide Hampton and Dr. Billy Taylor. Performances at the White House, State Department, and various high-profile military venues are not uncommon. Members volunteer their services to perform in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait during the holiday season in support of their fellow Soldiers stationed overseas. Serving as musical ambassadors, the group’s members are very active in the nation’s school systems. The last week of January 2007 saw the Army Blues in the studio recording what is to be the band’s first official recording since early 2004. These sessions showcase this powerful big band on charts created by composers and arrangers from within the group. New on this recording are tracks of small groups including a New Orleans style combo which traveled to a hurricane-ravaged Louisiana in September 2006; a Latin jazz combo; and other ensembles. The U.S. Army Blues celebrated its 35th Anniversary in 2007. After beginning informally in 1970, The Army Blues became an official part of the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in 1972.
Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra
The Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra book includes a wide range of Big Band Jazz styles and arrangements. Included are classics such as Two O'clock Jump, Stompin' at the Savoy, and Frenesi, as well as many ballads such as The Nearness of You, Imagination, and September Song.
Gregg Gelb, founder and musical director of Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra has received numerous awards and grants, including a 1996 commission by the Duke University Institute for the Arts to compose dance music and the 1997 North Carolina State Arts Council Jazz Fellowship Award.
In 1998 the Gregg Gelb Swing Band performed with the North Carolina Symphony for a Young People's Concert that was televised by WUNC-TV featuring Gregg's compositions. In 2000 he arranged and recorded with the Swing Band the soundtrack to the documentary, War Zone, also aired on WUNC-TV.
He has performed with Claudio Roditi, Mark Whitfield, Bill Charlap, Butch Thompson, Sir Roland Hanna, Jon Metzger and other top jazz artists.
Gregg has produced four CDs of the Swing Band and co-produced three CDs of Group Sax.
If You Go…
Jazz by the Lake starts at noon on Saturday, May 17 and 1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 18. The event is free. Occoneechee State Park does charge a $5 per car parking fee. Bleacher seating is available, or bring your own chair, and enjoy a musical outing in this picturesque lakefront setting. You may pack a picnic or purchase refreshments from an on-site vendor.
In the event of inclement weather the festival will be held in the Clarksville Fine Arts Center. The park is situated a half mile east of the quaint town of Clarksville on U.S. 58. For more information, call Ross LeCompte at (434) 738-8485.
Saturday. May 17
Occoneechee State Park
Noon Bluestone Middle School Jazz Ensemble
Bluestone High School Jazz Ensemble
1 p.m. Joshua Walker Quartet
2 p.m. Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra
3 p.m. Freeport Jazz
4 p.m. Longwood University Jazz Ensemble
5 p.m. Michael Redman on woodwinds
Piedmont Blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter Boo Hanks will perform following each big band appearance.
Sunday, May 18
Occoneechee State Park
1 p.m. Boo Hanks
2 p.m. Appomattox High School Jazz Ensemble
3 p.m. U.S. Army Blues Jazz Ensemble
4 p.m. Gilbert Baskerville
5 p.m. Longwood University’s LeGrande Jazz
6 p.m. Jam Session
Josh Walker and the Josh Walker Trio will perform at the Berry Hill Plantation Resort featuring Ross LeCompte on trumpet, flugelhorn and vocals. This will begin a weekend of Jazz - with Jazz Artist videos and jazz lectures being presented on Saturday from lunch at 11 am through dinner at 3 pm. This Jazz Weekend promises another great event for the local artists.
Take a look around at the grounds and see what's available when you come to south central Virginia.
Berry Hill Estate
This is our premier event for the year. Details will follow as the weekend firms up.
The US Army Blues Jazz ensemble from Washington, D.C. will be featured on the second day of the Occoneechee " Jazz on the Lake " Jazz and Blues festival on Sunday afternoon May, 18th at 2:30 PM.
|
