EDMONDS The son of renowned guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli and nephew of two virtuoso banjo-playing uncles John Pizzarelli headlines the Edmonds Jazz Festival opening night at the new state-of-the-art 700-seat Edmonds Center for the Arts on March 1, 2 and 3.
Pizzarelli has swing in his blood and popular songs, his own as well as timeless standards, on his lips. As composer and interpreter, guitarist and vocalist, entertainer and artist, Pizzarelli upholds the musical heritage of his family. He has recorded more than twenty albums since his first release in 1990.
DIVA Jazz Orchestra is steeped in the history of jazz but infused with the progressive harmonies of today. The band is based in New York City and plays contemporary, mainstream big band jazz composed and arranged by band members and renowned writers including Tommy Newsom, Ellen Rowe, Rich Shemaria, and Scott Whitfield. DIVAs unique sound is a result of their repertoire being composed expressly for the individual personalities of the musicians themselves. What audiences can expect to hear is powerful ensemble playing and creative soloists playing with all the spontaneity, originality and finesse of the jazz masters who have preceded them.
DIVA was founded by Stanley Kay, a former manager and relief drummer for the Buddy Rich Big Band. In 1990, Kay was conducting a band where Sherrie Maricle was playing drums. Impressed by her skill, Kay wondered if there were other women musicians with a similar caliber of musicianship. A nationwide audition of players produced a core group of musicians who performed their first concert in March of 1993.
Music critics all over the world have praised DIVAs most recent CD, TNT – A Tommy Newsom Tribute. The bands other CDs include Live in Concert, I Believe in You, Leave it to DIVA, and Somethings Coming.
Kathleen Grace released her critically acclaimed debut CD Sunrise in 2005. All About Jazz called it one the debuts of the year, JazzTimes called on major-labels to step up, and Herb Wong picked the CD as one of the top vocal jazz albums of the year. For her new project Grace has now embarked on an innovative collaborative ensemble The Kathleen Grace Band.
Curtis Stigers is at the forefront of a new generation of jazz singers. With one of the most distinctive voices in music, the singer/saxophonist/songwriter pushes the boundaries of conventional jazz performers and expands the jazz repertory creating modern jazz standards. Stigerss latest release, I Think Its Going to Rain Today, is a new collection of songs by some of the greatest and most influential songwriters of our time. Putting his unique mark on tunes by Sting, Randy Newman, Mose Allison, Willie Nelson and Tom Waits, as well as two new Stigers originals, Curtis continues to blaze a path as one of his generations finest and most original interpreters of modern songs.
John Proulx is a sought-after pianist, vocalist, recording artist, and composer in the Los Angeles area. Hailed as not only a first-rate pianist, but one who also sings like a young Chet Baker, John Proulx can be seen performing at top LA venues including Spazio, Vibrato, and Charlie Os. Johns debut CD, with legendary musicians Chuck Berghofer and Joe LaBarbera, was recently released on the Max Jazz label on August 1st, 2006. He has performed with many others including Anita ODay, Mark Murphy, and Marian McPartland. John currently plays in the Mike Barone, Randy Aldcroft, and Kim Richmond big bands, and loves interacting with the pool of great jazz musicians in Los Angeles. Jazz pianist Bill Cunliffe summarizes Johns playing as showing, great harmony, style and authenticity.
Carmen Bradford was the featured vocalist in the legendary Count Basie Orchestra for nine years. She performed on two Grammy Award winning albums with the Basie band in the eighties. Carmens solo career took off with her critically acclaimed debut album Finally Yours (evidence Records) in 1992. Her follow-up solo release, With Respect (1995), established the Los Angeles based singer as one of jazz musics most diverse and exciting vocal stylists and proved to the world that Carmen Bradford was a unique voice in jazz in her own right.
Dee Daniels offers the jazz aficionado an ultimate treat jazz served up with full-bodied silky tones that soar to the height and captures the depth of her four-octave range. She has a warm presence and performance ability in everything from fronting combos in intimate Jazz clubs, to fronting big bands or symphony orchestras in concert halls. When she accompanies herself on piano with exceptional ease and artistry, it is to the great enjoyment of her audiences. On December 30th, she was in Seattle with the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra as a guest vocalist in their 18th annual Sacred Music of Duke Ellington Concert (her 5th with them).
Soundsation Vocal Jazz Choir is a premiere vocal jazz choir fourteen vocalists, piano, guitar, bass, drums and sound technician from Edmonds Community College under the direction of Kirk Marcey (founded by Frank DeMiero).
The Seattle Jazz Singers were brought together by Soundsation founder and former director, Frank DeMiero. Since the Seattle Jazz Singers first appeared on the music scene at a benefit concert, they have been in great demand. Their talents have taken them to jazz clubs in the greater Puget Sound region to performances for the American Choral Directors Association and as guest artist with the Everett and Vancouver Symphony Orchestras.
Tickets for the general public range from $35 – $120 and can be purchased at the ECA box office at 425-275-9595.