| The 31st Cape May Jazz Festival April 17-19
2009 “Legends and more Blues” presented
by NJ Division of Travel and Tourism and Bank
of America opens a Tribute to Billy Eckstine
and Sarah Vaughn with “Have a Song on
Me Celebrating Mr. B” and the Big Band
Music of the 40s and 50s with the B Swingers
Big Band and Steve Butler. Billy Eckstine,
known as Mr. B, became the most influential
ballad singer during this era with an appealing
baritone voice. It has been said that Steve
Butler “looks and sounds hauntingly similar
to Billy Eckstine…capable and convincing” and
the Big Band one of the best. Sabrina Carten
is convincing honoring Sarah Vaughn.
More Blues Saturday night with the Grammy
Award winner James “Superharp” Cotton
whose pedigree is a veritable who’s who
in the world of Blues. Cotton and his Blues
Band showcase his immense talent and keep him
one of the most sought-after, hard-driving
blues musicians touring the world today. More
Blues continues all weekend at Cabanas with
Andrew Jr. Boy Jones, Eddie Shaw and the Wolf
Gang, Alan Weber and Frenz and Juke Joints
Last Stand.
Legendary Odean Pope, known for his fiery,
often intense solos, dazzling elevations and
throbbing husky sounds, opens Aleatheas Restaurant
at the Inn of Cape May for The Jazz Dinner
and late Show. Barbara King continues the legends
with a Tribute to Sarah Vaughn. She was introduced
at an early age to jazz legends such as Sarah,
Ella, Dinah and Billie who influence her singing.
Opening up Carneys Main Room Saturday night,
Cuban percussionist Mayra Casales brings her
band “Women on Fire” with Cuban
Francois Zayas, drums. Her fiery, heartfelt
spirit with strong roots in Cuban music is
always present. DC Sharon Clark returns by
popular demand for The Jazz Dinner and late
Show in Aleatheas Saturday night. Sharon is
an amazing, exceptionally gifted talent. Her
performances include jazz standards plus lesser
known songs performed by Ella, Sarah, Johnny
Hartman and Nancy Wilson. Woody and Carol saw
Roni Ben-Hur in NYC and knew he was a must
for the festival. He is a very charming, talented
guitarist and composer offering creative melodies,
brilliant solos and dazzling original compositions.
Sylvia Cuenca opens Carneys Main Room Friday
night with her organ quartet. Sylvia swings
impeccably with her authentic feel for the
Latin genre. Performing in the Boiler Room
at Congress Hall Saturday night, the Michael
Thomas Quintet is a powerful, energetic group
that is deeply rooted in the rich tradition
of hard-bop and blues with Art Blakey and the
Jazz Messengers their major influence. Along
with the usual high energy jams Saturday and
Sunday in Carneys, the complimentary workshops
and CD Signing Party, Juke Joint Central
will be in Cabanas Sunday afternoon. This is
a fun, stimulating band with a juke joint jamming
feel that is mainly blues -- a not to be missed
experience. |
