Jazz at Newport – Fest brings world-class performers to coast
Jazz at Newport marks its seventh year in 2010, as its recognition and popularity grows. The Oregon Coast Council for the Arts (OCCA) is the organizational sponsor of the event and partners with over 25 businesses and more than 60 volunteers in the production of the festival.
Jazz at Newport runs Oct. 1-3, at the Newport Performing Arts Center and the Shilo Inn. The event brings world-class jazz to the central Oregon coast in the “jazz party” format, which means that visiting musicians will appear in different combinations.
Music Director Holly Hofmann, a renowned jazz flutist in her own right, has planned a schedule featuring such notables as Bill Cunliffe, John Clayton, Roseanna Vitro, Bruce Forman, Greg Goebel, Benny Green, Halie Loren, Alvester Garnett, and Jeremy Pelt, to name just a few. Attendees can enjoy these artists and many more in various sets during the weekend. For example, opening night, Friday, Oct. 1, features a 7 p.m. set with the Greg Goebel Trio, with Goebel accompanied by bassist Dave Captein and drummer Todd Strait, with special guest Houston Person; an 8 p.m. set with vocalist Roseanna Vitro, Cunliffe, Captein and Strait; and a 9 p.m. set with Benny Green, Pelt, Mary Ann McSweeney and Jim Douglas.
Bassist Mary Ann McSweeney, an acclaimed performer and arranger, joins the festival from New York. San Francisco-based bassist John Wiitala has played with Mark Levine and Hal Stein’s Band, as well as with the renowned Wesla Whitfield and Madeline Eastman.
Regional jazz lights such as the noted pianist and teacher Randy Porter, drummer Jim Douglas and the Eugene-based big band Swing Shift round out the roster.
The education component of the festival promotes instruction and outreach through a free “All That Jazz” panel discussion on Saturday, Oct. 2, featuring Hofmann, Pelt, Person and Green. As is traditional, audience participation is encouraged; no admission is charged.
Jazz clinics, given by guitarist Bruce Forman and vocalist Roseanna Vitro, both on Saturday, round out the educational opportunities for jazz fans. Clinic fee is $10 per session and registration forms are available on jazzatnewport.org.
A continuing facet of support this year has come from the festival’s jazz hotels, which include returning properties Shilo Inn Hotel, the Whaler Hotel, Best Western Agate Beach Inn and La Quinta Inn and Suites. Each has donated a minimum of 15 room-nights for artist lodging. Check for Jazz at Newport rates at these locations.
In an effort to reach more local residents, Jazz at Newport offers a number of “sampler” package tickets this year, available for purchase in person Sept. 7-24.
Support for Jazz at Newport is provided by City of Newport, Jeannette Hofer, News-Times, Rev. Carol Stubbs Smith, Henry and Liz Cardinale, Down Beat, Elizabeth Street Inn, Laurel Freed, Bob and Frieda Golding, Land Yachts of Yah-Hots, Jazz Times, Just Jazz, Linda Kolar, Newport Internet Collaborative, Nye Cottage, Frederick Olson, Twylah Olson, Perpetua, Quimby's, Greg Sammons, Jonathan Smith, Connie Williams, Doug and Sue Wills, Karen and Lou Yardumian, Yaquina Bay Broadcasting, and countless businesses, organizations and individuals.
For more information and tickets, log on to www.jazzatnewport.org or call the Newport Performing Arts Center at (541) 265-ARTS (2787).
