Tower of Power, Roy Haynes Fountain of Youth Band and Lionel Hampton Youth Jazz Orchestra will close the Lionel Hampton Inernational Jazz Festival at 8:30 p.m. Saturday in the Kibbie Dome.
The concert, “Urban Urges,” will be a large dance party, said James Brownson, director and marketer for Jazz Fest.
“This is a new addition to the festival,” Brownson said. “College students auditioned and joined
the orchestra, adding young blood to the mix.”
The orchestra will feature vocalist Carmen Bradford, multi-instrumentalist James Morrison and Hendrik Meurkens.
“The theme of the festival, ‘Masters and Mentors,’ is displayed very well in the orchestra — college students and older players are coming together to perform,” Brownson said.
Haynes, an 86-year-old drummer, headlines his band “Fountain of Youth.” Haynes is one of the most recorded artists in jazz to date and won a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2011 Grammys.
Tower of Power is comprised of several musicians, has played for many sold-out venues in Japan and Europe and is well known in the San Francisco Bay area.
In addition to their act, Tom Politzer and Adolfo Acosta of Tower of Power will put on a workshop at 10 a.m. in the Student Union Building Borah Theater. They plan to teach their methods in playing “as one” in groups.
The ‘Urban Urges’ concert is one of many performances Saturday. Before the performances, the Lionel Hampton School of Music Jazz Band 1 will play at 4 p.m. in the Kibbie Dome, along with chosen schools for the Young Artist concert at 4:30 p.m. Lastly, Hamp’s Club will play at 7:30 p.m.
“It’s very cool to see the students perform in the Kibbie Dome,” Brownson said. “We are even broadcasting live for parents who could not make it.”
To wrap up the night, various duos and trios will perform at Bloom Restaurant, Best Western Inn Quiet Bar, Blues Brew & BBQ, Bucer’s Coffeehouse Pub, Nectar Restaurant and John’s Alley.