Three jazz groups will perform Thursday night as part of the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival, and a new format might make it possible to hear them all without missing a beat.
“We tried out this new method last year and received positive feedback,” said James Brownson, director
of development and marketing for Jazz Fest.
Instead of performing in the Kibbie Dome, Brownson said recitals are split into three acts in the Administration Building Auditorium, Student Union Building ballroom and the Haddock Performance Hall in the Lionel Hampton School of Music Building.
“Each act plays two staggered sets,” Brownson said. “This allows people to see most if not all three of the performances.”
The Ray Brown Tribute trio features Jazz Fest’s Artistic Director John Clayton on bass, alongside Karriem Riggins on drums and Larry Fuller on the keys. All three performers were once a part of Brown’s jazz trio. The Ray Brown Tribute will play at 7:30 and 9 p.m in the SUB ballroom.
Grammy-nominated drummer Matt Wilson leads Arts and Crafts with trumpet player Terell Stafford, organist Larry Goldings and bassist Martin Wind. The band will perform at 8:30 and 10 p.m. in the Administration Building Auditorium.
Lastly, vocalists Sara Gazarek and Carmen Bradford will perform with the All-Star Quartet, featuring Josh Nelson, Kevin Kanner, Graham Dechter and Ben Williams. The show will be at 8 and 9:30 p.m. in the Haddock Performance Hall.
“Overall, I think this night portrays the theme of ‘Mentors and Masters’ very well,” Brownson said. “Clayton was a student under Brown and is dedicating a performance along with past members to Brown. Gazarek has studied under Bradford and now is singing with her.”
Performances will take place from 8 to 10 p.m., Brownson said, and a shuttle will be provided for transport from venue to venue.
In addition to Thursday’s shows, each group will host a workshop that is free to the public.
Riggins and Fuller will host a workshop titled “Ray Brown Memories and Magic” with Bob Athayde. The two plan to expand on their
experiences with Brown while Athayde facilitates the workshop at 2:30 p.m Thursday in the Administration Building Auditorium.
Wilson will introduce his “Jazz Superhero: The Allower” at 10 a.m. Saturday in the NuArt Theatre. He will share the Allower and help others incorporate it into music. In addition, Arts and Crafts will offer new music with an original style at 2:30 p.m. Thursday in the Administration Auditorium.
Like Wilson, Gazarek will host two workshops. Her first, “Singing Ballads” will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in Haddock Performance Hall. Gazarek’s other workshop will teach methods for singing with a solo piano at 10 a.m. Friday in the Administration Building Auditorium. Bradford will teach “Sing and Swing” from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m. Friday in the SUB Borah Theatre. She will work on
pre-selected pieces with interested students.