News Release

News Release MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY Contact: Jessica Novak Office of Marketing and Communications	Lakeland Jazz Festival Watch a video on HelenWelch.com Date Posted: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 Topic: Lakeland hosts the 37th Annual Jazz Festival
Printer Friendly Version: Lakeland hosts the 37th Annual Jazz Festival
Oldest jazz fest in Northeast Ohio features jazz guitar legend Pat Martino and local high school jazz musicians The 37th Annual Lakeland Community College Jazz Festival will showcase “Legends of Jazz: Past-Present-Future” February 26-28 in the college’s Performing Arts Center. Lakeland’s Jazz Festival has remained true to its original mission of instilling the excitement and magic of jazz education to the younger generation of musicians. Over 25,000 middle and high school musicians from throughout the state have participated in the festival in celebration of this uniquely American art form, jazz. The results are seen in many schools, many who now boast jazz bands and jazz combos. Performance schedule Present Legends Saturday, February 28 Pat Martino 8 p.m. $25 adults or $15 students Grammy-nominated and legendary jazz guitarist Pat Martino and his trio, featuring Ohio jazz organist Tony Monaco, headline the Lakeland Community College 37th Annual Jazz Festival. An established and respected guitarist who was a contemporary of jazz greats like Wes Montgomery and John Coltrane, Martino overcame an aneurysm that nearly took his life, re-learned how to play his instrument, and went on to receive numerous awards and honors throughout the world. Free Clinic 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Pat Martino will hold a free clinic to share his knowledge and expertise of jazz. Free and open to the public in Lakeland’s Performing Arts Center. Past Legends Friday, February 27 Helen Welch, “A Little Brit Different!” Lakeland Jazz Civic Orchestra, directed by Dave Sterner, performs classics by Neil Hefti 8 p.m. $12 adults/ $10 students British vocalist/entertainer Helen Welch and her trio along with special guest Jack Schantz, take a melodious, musical journey in jazz: from “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead” and Dizzy Gillespie, to“Stompin’ at the Savoy” and “Send in the Clowns.” Welch was born and raised in England. Welch has developed and performed a one-woman cabaret show, won an international singing contest, and performed on Broadway. Welch’s voice can be heard in a veritable library of commercial jingles, films and television productions, and in the background on recordings of well-known international artists. Welch and her husband make their home in Northeast Ohio, where she regularly performs at celebrated area establishments. The Lakeland Civic Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Dave Sterner, will perform a tribute to Neil Hefti, legendary composer/arranger for Count Basie and Frank Sinatra. Hefti passed away at the age of 85 in October 2008. Hefti found great success in writing television and film scores including “The Odd Couple,” “Batman,” and “Barefoot in the Park.” He wrote the song “Girl Talk for the movie “Harlow” in 1965, for which he received two Grammy nominations. Dave Sterner directs the Lakeland Civic Jazz Orchestra which was organized in 1973 under the direction of Charles Frank to provide jazz performance opportunities for Lakeland Community College students and community musicians. Future Legends College Invitational Concert Saturday, February 28 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. New at this year’s event will be four area college jazz ensembles performing onstage: Oberlin Sextet, University of Akron Afro-Cuban Ensemble, Cleveland State University Trio, and Cuyahoga Community College Performance Combo. Free and open to the public. Friday, February 27, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Saturday, February 28, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. High school jazz ensembles perform for adjudication. Free and open to the public. Thursday, February 26 “Tomorrow’s Stars,” Middle and High School Jazz Performances 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 adults, $4 students. Area middle school jazz ensembles perform: St. Gabriel Jazz Ensemble, Frank Adams, director; Hudson Middle School Jazz Ensemble, Beverly Rickard, director; Willoughby Middle School Jazz Ensemble, Tim Niederkorn, director; and Mentor Memorial Middle School, Steve Poremba, director. “Tomorrow’s Stars” closes with a performance by the Lakeland Jazz Impact, and all-star high school group directed by Ed Michaels. For details, call 440-525-7526 or visit www.lakelandcc.edu/jazzfestival. The 37th Annual Lakeland Jazz Festival, a presentation of the Arts & Humanities division, is sponsored annually by a generous grant from The Lake County Visitors Bureau and The Lakeland Foundation.