2011 Festival Announcement

The Kingston Jazz Festival, June 23-25, 2011

The Grand Theatre, The Kingston Jazz Society and The Kingston Arts Council are proud to present the Kingston Jazz Festival from June 23 to June 25. This three day festival will feature a selection of the world’s best musicians performing at the Grand Theatre, a late-night series at the Mansion, live music on porches and a free afternoon of music and family fun at Confederation Park.

The Grand Theatre Back to BASSics Series will feature three of the industry’s top bass players in an unprecedented line-up. The opening night of the festival, Thursday, June 23, will feature The Dave Holland Quintet with Robin Eubanks, Chris Potter, Steve Nelson and Nate Smith. This jazz bassist, composer and bandleader has been a forceful presence on the jazz scene for more than five decades and is a multi Grammy Award winner.

The Back to BASSics Series will continue with a performance at the Grand Theatre on Friday, June 24 by the phenomenal Kurt Elling. Downbeat’s male vocalist of the year for 11 consecutive years, this Grammy Award winner performs an evening of classics by Frank Sinatra, as well as selections from his most recent album, The Gate. Noted as “the standout male jazz vocalist of our time” by the New York Times, Elling will show why he is in the same league as Mel Torme, Satchmo and Jon Hendricks.

The final Back to BASSics performance will star bassist Christian McBride and Inside Straight on Saturday, June 25. As a musician with Sonny Rollins, Chick Corea, Natalie Cole, James Brown, Sting and Don Henley, McBride has been an omnipresent force in jazz, pop, and R&B. In his debut at the Grand Theatre, McBride will be joined by his award-winning quintet, Inside Straight who will close the festival with swing-to-bluesy groove tunes.

The Kingston Jazz Society will present two incredible jazz artists at the Mansion. On Friday, June 24 at 8pm and 10pm, The Brandi Disterheft Quintet will delight audiences. This bassist and composer is fast becoming one of jazz’s brightest lights. Still in her twenties, she’s already made a huge impression on thousands Penis Enlargement of listeners, including her Juno Award winning debut album, Debut. Late night jazz at the Mansion continues on Saturday, June 25 with the ever-popular Shuffle Demons at 8pm and 10pm. Throughout their more than 20 years performing together, The Shuffle Demons have had audiences up on their feet with their energetic blend of jazz and funk.

Five show Festival passes including five performances at the Grand Theatre and the 10pm shows at The Mansion are $115 plus applicable service charges. There are only 100 of these passes available due to space availability. The three-performance Back to BASSics passes are $99 and $87. Passes go on sale Friday, April 14 at noon through the Grand Theatre Box Office.

Single tickets to all performances at the Grand Theatre and the Mansion go on sale Friday, April 29.

The Kingston Arts Council is proud to present Porch Jazz from noon until 3pm on Saturday, June 25. The free neighbourhood jazz performances feature a star-studded line-up of local musicians including Dave Barton, Greg Runions, The Limestone Trombone Quartet, The Sounds of Jazz Big Band, Paul Clifford, Mauricio Montecinos & LatinFusion Band and The Downtown Trio. All ages welcome. For more info, please visit www.artskingston.ca

The fun continues with a free performance of Jazz in the Park presented by the Grand Theatre and the Kingston Jazz Society on Saturday, June 25 from 3pm to 6pm at Confederation Park. The whole family is invited to dance on Ontario St. and listen to the sounds of The Brandi Disterheft Quintet, The Shuffle Demons, and Mauricio Montecinos. Free admission. Jazz in the Park is made possible by the Kingston Culture Plan.

For more information on all of the Kingston Jazz Festival events please visit www.kingstongrand.ca. Tickets are available through the Grand Theatre Box Office in person at 218 Princess St., by phone at 613-530-5020 or online at www.kingstongrand.ca

The Grand Theatre would like to acknowledge its presenting sponsor, visitkingston.ca. A range of festival packages including accommodation
and tickets are available at visitkingston.ca. The Kingston Jazz Festival’s media partner is North Country Public Radio and the Festival is made possible in part by the Kingston Culture Plan.