Second annual event runs until Aug. 3 and features highly acclaimed, world-class acts
The Huntsville Jazz Festival is returning for its second year and promises something for all jazz lovers.
Sponsored by the Huntsville Festival of the Arts, the ‘festival within the festival’ runs from July 30 to Aug. 3.
Leading off tonight, Wednesday, is Cuban/Canadian piano wizard Hilario Duran and his three-piece trio. This ensemble produced the CD New Danzon in 2005 and received a Juno nomination for their efforts.
Duran is one of the greatest virtuoso jazz pianists to emerge from Havana. He played for nine years with Arturo Sandova and has shared the stage with legendary musicians such as the late Dizzy Gillespie and composer/arranger Michael Legrand.
Duran and his band will make this evening a musical celebration.
Tomorrow evening, July 31, audiences will be treated to the sounds of Marcus Belgrave. Backed by six fabulous musicians Belgrave, one of North America’s premier trumpet players and an original Ray Charles band member, will honour the music of Louis Armstrong and team up with his wife Joan Bow-Belgrave to pay tribute to the great ladies of song.
The music of Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, and Sarah Vaughn will come alive, as will Satchmo’s trademark gravelly voice. Marcus has been a major hit at festivals and venues across the country and promises to deliver an ace performance in Huntsville.
On Friday night, festival favourite Michael Kaeshammer returns for his first performance at the Algonquin Theatre. A brilliant piano player, Kaeshammer has added vocals to his music, and his performances have been critically acclaimed by audiences across the country.
Anyone who has seen Kaeshammer at work comes away amazed by his piano mastery and his lightning-fast finger work.
Acclaimed vocalist Dione Taylor brings her soulful style to the Algonquin stage on Saturday, Aug. 2. Citing Aretha Franklin, jazz chanteuse Sarah Vaughn and opera diva Leontyne Price as influences, Taylor has established herself as a rising star on the Canadian jazz scene.
SOUL QUEEN: Jazz vocalist Dione Taylor appears at the Algonquin Theatre on Aug. 2.
Tickets for all shows are available at the Algonquin Theatre box office, by calling 789-4975 or online at www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca. Tickets will also be sold at the door for all events, if available.
