Every year, Calgary launches summer with the Calgary Jazz Festival. For one full week, downtown Calgary will present internationally-acclaimed artists as well as emerging artists at various jazz clubs, the EPCOR Centre, Stephen Avenue Mall and Olympic Plaza. Headliner acts for the 2010 Calgary Jazz Festival include Chick Corea, Ben E. King, Cedar Walton and Poncho Sanchez. From fusion jazz to Latin jazz, there will be plenty for jazz lovers to hear and enjoy.
Calgary Jazz Festival 2010 Lineup
Pianist Cedar Walton has collaborated with numerous jazz greats including John Coltrane, Kenny Dorham, Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. Several of his compositions, such as Bolivia and Firm Roots are considered standard jazz repertoire. Cedar Walton will perform at the Martha Cohen Theatre in The EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts on June, 21, 2010 at 8:00 pm.
Baritone Ben E. King has been entertaining audiences around the world since the 1950's. This Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame alumnus is known for hits such as Save the Last Dance and Stand By Me. Ben E. King will perform on June 26, 2010 at 8:00 pm at the Jack Singer Concert Hall at The EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts.
A 16-time Grammy winner, Chick Corea has explored everything from bebop to fusion jazz, chamber music to avant-garde and and from symphonies to children's music throughout his 40-plus year career. Chick Corea will perform on June 25, 2010 at 8:00 pm pm at the Jack Singer Concert Hall at The EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts.
Percussionist Poncho Sanchez incorporates a kaleidoscope of musical styles in his music, including Latin jazz, swing, and bebop. This Grammy award winner has worked with Arturo Sandoval, Poncho Sanchez will perform on June 22, 2010 at 8:00 pm pm at the Jack Singer Concert Hall at The EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts.
Other artists performing at the 2010 Calgary Jazz Festival include the André Leroux Quartet, Andy Milne Dapp Theory 5, Brent Spoon Duo, Griffith Hiltz, Inhabitants, James Farm,Jesse Zubot, Jeanne Rochette with François Bourassa, Johanna Sillanpaa, JP CARTER, Maria in the Shower, Mark Dejong’s Outerbridge Ensemble, Musique Acoustique & Machines, NoMoreShapes, Opensouls, Rich Brown/ rinsethealgorithm, Ryan Cohan, Sandro Dominelli Trio, Simon Fisk’s Structures Ensemble, Terry Clarke Trio, The Budos Band, Tim Williams Toshi Reagon and the Tony Wilson Quintet.
About the Calgary Jazz Festival
The Calgary Jazz Festival began in 1979. According to USA Today, it started as a one-day event featuring local musicians. Now, it is a week-long event that attracts jazz musicians and enthusiasts from around the world. Previous guests include Branford Marsalis and Jimmy Cobb.
The Calgary Jazz Festival holds events at various locations in Calgary, Alberta throughout this seven-day musical celebration. Headline events take place at the EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts. The other acts take place at various jazz clubs and venues throughout Calgary, including the Beatnig Jazz & Social Club, The Palomino, The Auburn Saloon and the Cantos Music Foundation.
Events that are free to the public take place along Stephen Avenue Walk and at the Olympic Plaza. Several of the guest artists perform on various stages along Stephen Avenue Walk, Calgary's pedestrian mall located in the heart of downtown Calgary. Vendor booths pepper the five-block strip. Family-oriented activities and a beer garden are set up at Olympic Plaza, where some of the 200 guest artists perform throughout the week.
The Calgary Jazz Festival is organized by C-Jazz - Calgary Jazz Association. C-Jazz strives to "strengthen, support and promote jazz in Calgary". C-Jazz presents and promotes events throughout the year, not just during the Calgary Jazz Festival.
Jazz festivals are a wonderful opportunity for music aficionados to get a sampling of various jazz styles. The 2010 Calgary Jazz Festival is no exception. With over 70 performances and 200 seasoned and emerging artists, jazz lovers and jazz neophytes young and old can enjoy everything many forms of jazz music, including bebop, swing, hard bop, swing, jazz fusion and Latin jazz.
June 20, 2010 Update: 2010 Calgary Jazz Festival Canceled One Day Before Event
In a written release to the CBC, festival organizers announced that the 2010 Calgary Jazz Festival has been canceled due to financial constraints. This is the second time in the Festival's history that it has been canceled. Ticket and pass refund information will be released at a later date.
Rhona-Mae Arca - Rhona-Mae is a Registered Music Teacher. She has an ARCT in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music, B.A. (Music) and ...
