 The history of the London Jazz festival dates back to the 1970s, when the London Borough of Camden had the idea of adding a Jazz Week to the already popular Camden Festival, held during the spring. A variety of venues in north London got involved, promoting international jazz stars as well as providing a platform for up and coming British musicians to showcase their talents. The popularity of the Camden Jazz Week led to a second week being added in some years during the autumn.
However, by the early ’90s the Camden Festival had ceased to be, and while the Borough continued to support the Jazz Week for a number of years, many felt a new direction a necessary step due to the Borough’s changing priorities and budgets. Serious, an international organisation that produces live events was a key factor in engineering the evolution of a London Jazz Festival, and with the help of the London Arts Board, the first festival was held in 1993. Not only promoting shows from renowned international musicians, the festival also put an emphasis on educational activity, with Serious using the festival as a way of helping young people and promoting cultural understanding throughout London. In 2005 special shows just for young people were started, including workshops and writing sessions, and are now a permanent fixture of the festival.
Over the years, the Jazz Festival has spread from north London throughout the entire city, developing into one of the world’s premier jazz events. Previous years have seen unique, landmark performances from a number of different artists. Jools Holland performed his first ever show with the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra at the Hackney Empire during the festival, while the Monk Liberation Front played all 70 of Thelonious Monk’s compositions during an all-day show at one of the festival’s free stages. Respected musician Andy Sheppard also led 200 saxophonists in an unforgettable performance outside the Vortex Jazz Club to open the festival in 2006.
This year’s festival – to be held in November – sees Serious and Arts Council England team up with a number of organisations from around the world, uniting in their love of the arts and, more specifically, jazz. Long time supporters such as BBC Radio 3 and Jazzwise Magazine are back on board, following a number of years of support, while many contemporary and stylish hotels in London are offering discounted rates for festival visitors as well as doubling as venues themselves.
Last year’s festival saw 192 shows performed in 41 different venues and, with this year’s event set to be even bigger, the London Jazz Festival is a veritable feast for any lover of ground breaking and innovative music. Andrew Regan is an online, freelance author from Scotland. He is a keen rugby player and enjoys travelling.
Esperanza Spalding @ the Newport Jazz Festival; Newport, Rhode Island (USA)  Mail this post
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Houston (PRWEB) July 23, 2005 The Houston International Jazz Festival highlights its 15th year with three days of phenomenal musical entertainment at the Verizon Wireless Theater at Bayou Place.
Featured is a titillating night of Asian influenced jazz sponsored by KTSU 90.9 FM on August 5th, which brings the group Hiroshima to the city. Then on August 6th, Tito Puente, Jr. jumps into the frey with a dynamic evening of Latin-infused jazz music. Although the first two days highlight the international components of the Festival, August 7th pushes the envelope with an evening of exhilarating Smooth Jazz that is sponsored by KHJZ 95.7 FM. The always phenomenal “Guitars & Saxes Tour.” with Mindi Abair, Jeff Golub, Warren Hill and Wayman Tisdale closes out the 15th Annual Houston International Jazz Festival.
The Houston International Jazz Festival highlights the end of a 5-week intensive youth oriented musical program. The course of study focuses upon jazz education in a structured classroom environment. under the auspices of Jazz Education, Inc., a non-profit organization. The Summer Jazz Workshop is the primary beneficiary of The Houston International Jazz Festival. Students also perform in the festival during three full days of activities.
With one of the emphasis being on Latin influenced rhythms, other featured artists include Norma Zenteno and the group Caliente’. Throughout the three days of activities, jazz in a variety of flavors is the major focus, while providing a picturesque view of one of societies most unique forms of entertainment. Although the Houston International Jazz Festival is in its 15th year, the Latin Jazz portion is in its fourth year. Prior to 2005, the Festival has featured Celia Cruz, La India, the Spanish Harlem Jazz Orchestra, Arturo Sandoval and Poncho Sanchez as entertainment to name a few. When examining the many contributions of this musical style , Latin artists have been a primary staple of jazz during its rich and vibrant history. Musicians such as Tito Puente, Chano Pozo, Machito, Mongo Santamaria and many others have all made their voices heard and have influenced jazz to a very large degree. With that in mind, it is more than appropriate that The Houston International Jazz Festival highlights Latin Jazz as one of its featured activities. One of the more significant aspects of the 2005 Festival is the appearance of Tito Puente’, Jr. He continues a legacy steeped in the Afro-Cuban jazz tradition left by his father, the legendary Tito Puente’.
Contact: Sheldon T. Nunn
Ph: (281) 773-9346 or (713) 839-7000
2005 Houston International Jazz Festival Schedule of Events
August 5, 2005
8pm
Asian Jazz Night
The Verizon Wireless Theater at Bayou Place
500 Texas Ave
August 6, 2005
4pm – 10pm
Latin Jazz Night
The Verizon Wireless Theater at Bayou Place
500 Texas Ave
Tito Puente, Jr.
Norma Zenteno
Caliente
August 7, 2005
8pm
Smooth Jazz Night
The Verizon Wireless Theater at Bayou Place
“Guitars & Saxes”
Mindi Abair
Jeff Golub
Warren Hill
Wayman Tisdale
Tickets: Ticketmaster- (713) 629-3700
$ 25.00 $ 30.00 $ 35.00
All proceeds from the Houston International Jazz Festival benefit Jazz Education, Inc. Additional information is available upon request.
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