MUSIC

The 2009 Kemah Boardwalk Jazz Festival is going to be jazz-packed. A fantastic list of Houston and International Jazz stars fill three days of music.  The 2009 Kemah Jazz Festival is Sept. 25-27.

Kemah Boardwalk is tuning up for a harmoniously good time at the Twelfth Annual Jazz Festival, Friday, September 25 through Sunday, September 27. The Kemah Boardwalk and Robert Wilson, festival founder and director, have teamed up this year to create an exciting free weekend of jazz music that will satisfy everyone from the amateur jazz listener to the long-time aficionado.

Local and national jazz artists will take the stage throughout the weekend to perform for festival goers. Wilson, director of the University of Houston Downtown’s Civic Music Program, has hand-picked an all-star lineup for the festival.

“Year after year, we are excited to present a jazz festival that truly focuses on great jazz music,” said Tim Anderson, General Manager, Kemah Boardwalk. “Not often is a selection of musicians this talented found in such a prime festival location – and all of the entertainment is free!”

Trumpet master, Brian Lynch and saxophonist, Woody Witt, team up for an unforgettable jazz performance. Lynch, a 21st century credo, arranges for Japanese pop star Mika Nakashima and producer Shinichi Osawa. He has also written string charts for Phil Woods and has played with such pop luminaries as Maxwell, Prince, and Sheila E.

Discovering his love of music at age 8, saxophonist Woody Witt combines an original approach to improvisation and composition with classic jazz sounds. He has established himself as a notable musician in the area, performing with Ray Charles, Kenny Rogers and Tony Bennett. Lynch and Witt will perform at the festival, Saturday, September 26.

Adding a little spice to the festival this year is Latin Jazz Guitarist, Mark Towns. Towns is best known for creating guitar-based instrumental Afro-Cuban Jazz, producing a sound which blurs the lines between Latin Jazz, Flamenco Jazz, and Salsa. His music has the rare quality of being both esoterically hip, yet universally accessible.

“We have lined up some of the most outstanding jazz musicians in the business,” said Robert Wilson, UH-Downtown music director and festival director. “It will be a fun-filled free weekend of jazz music that everyone can enjoy.”

Scheduled Line Up of Performances:

Friday, September 25

6:00-6:50 Marcia Frazier
7:00-7:50 British Jazz Pianist John Patrick and his Quintet
8:05-9:05 HPMA Big Band featuring Lynn Seaton Conductor
9:20-10:10 Chris Cortez and friends
10:20-11:10 Cindy Scott

Saturday, September 26

12:00-12:50 Woody Witt Quintet
1:05-1:55 Solar Wind featuring Keith Vivens
2:10-3:00 Joel Fulgham and Monstrosity
3:15-4:05 Eddie Lewis Living Rhythm
4:20-5:10 Dennis Dotson Quintet
5:25-6:15 Julie Wilson and Alegria
6:30-7:20 2007 Jazz Achievement Award Winner Bubbha Thomas and friends
7:35-7:50 Presentation of the 2009 Kemah Boardwalk Jazz-Achievement Award
7:50-8:50 Feature Artist: Trumpeter Bryan Lynch with Woody Witt Quintet.
9:05-9:55 Pamela York Group
10:10-11:10 Tony Campise Quartet

Sunday, September 27

1:00-1:50 Young Sounds of Houston Youth Jazz Orchestra
2:05-2:55 Dan Karp Group
3:10-4:00 Latin Jazz Guitarist Mark Towns
4:20-5:10 University of Houston-Downtown Civic Jazz Orchestra featuring vocalist Julie Wilson
5:30-6:20 Thomas Helton and Tribute
6:40-7:30 Kyle Turner
7:45-8:35 Sam Dinkins
8:45-9:35 Kellye Gray (pictured)

This fun-filled free weekend of jazz music will satisfy everyone from the amateur jazz listener to the long-time aficionado.