Lafayette Jazz Festival

Eighth Annual Lafayette Jazz Festival hosted

at Bentley School Theater

The Eight Year Anniversary of the Annual Lafayette Jazz Festival, presented by Generations in Jazz Foundation will open at the Bentley School Performing Arts Theater on Thursday March 6^th at 7:30 p.m. through March 8^th.  The final matinee performance will crescendo at the Acalanes Performing Arts Theater featuring the Contra Costa County Honor Jazz Bands beginning at 3 p.m. on Sunday March 9^th.

“Jazz for All Ages”

Thursday, March 6^th  – Featuring KCBS radio personality AL HART, Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame singer Countess Felder and Bay Area’s finest Mary Fettig, the sounds of the Big Band of Rossmoor will sing and swing opening night incorporating a multi-generational approach with opening student band The Bentley Jazz Group with original Tower of Power horn player, Mic Gillette. Celebrating the Big Band Era of Jazz, the sweet sounds of the 30’s and 40’s will ring true in the halls of the Bentley School Performing Arts Theater.  

“Jazz Singer and Swingin’ Jazz”

Friday, March 7^th  – Jazz and Blues stylist Jamie Davis will perform with his trio combining his full deep baritone voice with that crucial element for a singer: believability.  Davis, the headlining vocalist with the Count Basie Orchestra from 2000 to 2003, will debut in Lafayette for the first time at the Bentley School Theater after an afternoon workshop for local student musicians at Stanley Middle School. Opening for Jamie Davis and his Trio will be Lafayette’s Bob Athayde, and his award-winning Stanley Jazz Messengers, a group of students from the 6^th, 7th, and 8^th grades of Lafayette’s Stanley Middle School.

“It’s all about the Rhythm”

Saturday, March 8^th – The Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet, will be featured for a spirited performance highlighting his arrangements with Brazilian and Afro-Cuban rhythms. Born and raised in San Francisco, Wayne's name is synonymous with Bay area Latin/Funk jazz music. A multi-faceted arranger and composer, he has been credited as producing work for acts like Celine Dion, Angela Bofill, Chris Isaak, Earth Wind and Fire and Whitney Houston to name a few. Opening the evening will be the 2008 Folsom Jazz Festival winners, Acalanes High School Jazz Ensemble directed by Rick Meyer.

“Honor that Jazz”

Sunday, March 9^th  - Sponsored by LASF and the Bill Graham Foundation, the fifth annual Contra Costa County Middle School Honor Jazz Band with Guest Director Ted Moore, followed by the sixth annual Contra Costa County High School Honor Jazz Band with Guest Director Frank Sumares will perform at the Acalanes Performing Arts Center for a matinee performance at 3 p.m.  The brainchild of Mary Fettig, this group is comprised of the bay area’s best student jazz musicians from local High schools and Middle schools.

Tickets for the Eighth Annual Lafayette Jazz Festival are on sale now at the Lafayette Chamber.  Tickets range in price depending on package.  Bentley Theater performances will be  $7 and $16. Shows at the Acalanes Performing Arts Center will be $7. For ticket information, contact the Lafayette Chamber at (925) 284-7404 or visit their web site at www.lafayettechamber.org