Friday, March 14, 2008

L.A. Jazz Institute Festival upcoming

While some of the greatest jazz to be heard in the Southern California area in recent memory has occurred at the various festivals of the L.A. Jazz Institute, still one might observe that the events have tended to be somewhat on the vocalist-deficient side. The next four-day affair, however, more than makes up for this. Here is a list of just the singers who will take part in the forthcoming fest which will happen in late May. And no... this is NOT an early April Fools joke.

* Jack Sheldon Big Band with special guest Tierney Sutton performing Shelly Manne's My Fair Lady

* Helen Merrill: The Rodgers and Hammerstein Songbook (featuring a rather neologistically ginormous orch. replete with strings)

* Mark Murphy Sings Cole Porter

* Pinky Winters (Bob Florence, piano): The Jerome Kern Songbook

* Annie Ross sings George Gershwin

* Dave Pell Octet with vocalist standing in for Lucy Ann Polk performing the classic Trend Burke-Van Heusen LP

And on Saturday morning (not TOO early) May 24th, there will be a panel discussion, something along the lines of "Whither Jazz Singing?" with Helen Merrill, Mark Murphy, Pinky Winters, Tierney Sutton and Annie Ross, moderated by Bill Reed.

And that is just for starters. Lots and lots of other amazing concerts and film showings at this event entitled: "The Stage Door Swings." For further details: http://lajazzinstitute.org/7.php

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