Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland will celebrate its 35th anniversary with a big move from April to June 2014, presenting three jam-packed days of concerts in the theaters of PlayhouseSquare plus free music outside on Star Plaza.

Twelve ticketed shows and a host of free outdoor events will be featured June 26-28, 2014 in what JazzFest Director Terri Pontremoli says is an exciting change for loyal JazzFest audiences and a fresh opportunity for new ones.  “With a growing population downtown, and so much appetite for new experiences in the city, it’s the perfect time to introduce people to this wonderful musical experience with deep roots in Cleveland,” Pontremoli says.

This year’s lineup will feature three great bassists, two big bands, two groups led by women, Brazilian music, Latin music and a few surprises.  The lineup includes:

·        Sean Jones on Thursday, June 26 at the Ohio Theatre (7:00pm)

·         John Scofield and Trombone Shorty on Friday, June 27 at the Palace Theatre (7:15pm)

·        Eddie Palmieri on Friday, June 27 at the Ohio Theatre (9:30pm)

·          Jamey Haddad on Saturday, June 28 at the Hanna Theatre (1:30pm)

·         Ernie Krivda Fat Tuesday Big Band on Saturday, June 28 at the Ohio Theatre (2:45pm)

·          Eliane Elias on Saturday, June 28 at the Hanna Theatre (4:00pm)

·         Terri Lyne Carrington on Saturday, June 28 at the Ohio Theatre (5:15pm)

·        Christian McBride on Saturday, June 28 at the Ohio Theatre (6:45pm)

·          Raul Midon on Saturday, June 28 at the Hanna Theatre (7:30pm)

·          Marcus Miller and Dave Koz on Saturday, June 28 at the Palace Theatre (8:00pm)

·         Dave Holland Prism on Saturday, June 28 at the Ohio Theatre (10:00pm)

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In addition to the music, there will be meet-the-artist sessions and jazz talks in the State Theatre lobby.

Outdoors on Star Plaza, fans and casual listeners will be able to enjoy hours of free concerts beginning at 3 p.m. Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28.  

The outdoor lineup includes:

Friday, June 27, 2014
3:00 PM     Tri-C JazzFest Summer Camp musicians
4:15 PM     Cleveland School of the Arts JazzArts Ensemble
5:00 PM     Backstage Politics
5:45 PM     JazzFest 2nd Line with Parade the Circle puppets
6:15 PM     Alan Greene Blues Band
7:30 PM     Second Nature with Dan Wilson
8:45 PM     Broccoli Samurai
10:15 PM   Sammy DeLeon y su Orquesta

Saturday, June 28, 2014
3:00 PM     Lafayette Carthon & Faith
4:15 PM     Bethesda
5:15 PM     Samba Joia (in front of Hanna Theatre)
5:30 PM     Horns & Things
6:30 PM     Samba Joia (in front of Hanna Theatre)
6:45 PM     Blue Monsoon
8:00 PM     Dominick Farinacci
9:15 PM     Red Light Roxy
10:30 PM   Wesley Bright & the Hi-Lites

Band descriptions

Blu Monsoon – One of the freshest, jazz-influenced bands in Ohio, Blu Monsoon plays only the coolest pop covers and classics in addition to original music. With Mike Schirch (keys), Adam Hradisky (drums or cajon), Donald Pelc (guitar), Jeff Jeric (Bass).

Bethesda – Described as “indie-approved, Americana-hipster hootenanny,” this Kent band has performed at Bonnaroo and South x Southwest. With Shanna Delaney (vocals), Eric Ling (guitar/vocals), Christopher Black (violin/keys), Jesse Scaggs (guitar/banjo),  Dan Corby (bass), and Justin Rife (drums).

Alan Greene Blues Band – frequently voted Cleveland’s best blues guitarist in Scene Magazine, Alan Greene has kept a rocking blues band together for three decades. With Tom Odegard (vocals), Rob Luoma (drums), and Justin Butcher (bass).

Sammy DeLeon y su Orquesta – For the past decade, this band has played a broad spectrum of Latin dance music and gained a multi-cultural audience in the tri-state area. With Sammy Deleon (timbales,vocals), Nelson Orta (congas, bongos), Jackie Warren (piano), Elmer Arocho (bass), Dick Ingersoll (saxophone), Manny Santana (trombone), Scott McKee (trumpet), Joe Miller (lead trumpet), Noel Colon (vocals), Marilyn Rodriquez (vocals), and Jose Hernandez (vocals).

Dominick Farinacci – JazzFest welcomes back the recently named Global Ambasssador of Jazz @Lincoln Center. In that capacity, Farinacci has been curating world music and jazz presentations at Jazz @Lincoln Center Doha, and creating education and outreach programs.

Red Light Roxy – Named after the famed burlesque house on Short Vincent Ave., this band specializes in vintage dance music from swing to jump blues and R&B.  With Eileen Burns (vocals), Joe Hunter (piano), Paul Samuels (drums), Dave Sterner (sax) Demetrius Steinmetz (bass) and Daris Adkins (guitarist).

Broccoli Samurai – Cleveland’s premiere “jamtronica” band, with Ryan Hodson (keys), Chris Walker (drums), Steve Fade (bass) and John McCarron (guitar).  The band has performed at Rootwire, The Werk Out, Hyperion Fest, Summerdance and The Mad Tea Party Jam.

Horns & Things – For more than 20 years, Horns & Things has been the powerhouse contemporary jazz ensemble in Northeast Ohio Ohio.  With J.T. Lynch (sax), Ken LeeGrand (sax), Derrick James (bass), Sakait Baksar (keys) and Ray Harvin (drums).

Lafayette Carthon & Faith – Pianist Carthon’s gospel career was launched at the age of 18
with the Winans. A teacher and gospel performer, he also is one of the premier jazz pianists in the area.  With Phillip Jones (organ), Joe Eff (keyboards), Alan Curry (bass), Monica Carter (drums), Alfonso Williams (guitar), and vocalists Andrenee Priest, Shavonn Lee, Sheryse Henderson, Maria Jacobs, Randall Priest, Jon Henderson.

Second Nature — The elements of Dan Wilson’s upbringing can be heard throughout his music – from the gospel music at his church, to his discovery of Wes Montgomery, Soul and Brazilian music. Wilson fronts a supreme trio here with Cliff Barnes (B-3) and Dave Throckmorton (drums).

Wesley Bright & the Hi-Lites – A honey-voiced frontman backs this seven-piece Northern Soul group with a horn section straight out of the 1960s. Clad in sharp suits, this group keeps everyone dancing.  With Nick Fritsch (drums), Bob Basone (bass), Brent Wesley (vocals), Albert Santilli III (keys), Jimmy Parsons (guitar), Max Brady (trombone), Nathan-Paul Davis (saxophone) and Matt Garrett (trumpet).

Backstage Politics – Winner of the 2014 Tri-C High School Rock Off, Backstage Politics is made up of students from the School of Rock.

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Attendees can expect to hear from a variety of local and national artists with genres ranging from R&B, Latin, Gospel, Reggae and – of course – Jazz. Festival goers can also enjoy several food trucks that will be on site for the weekend, including: Donut Lab, Beckham’s B & M Barbque, Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream, and Hodge Podge. In addition, Great Lakes Brewing Company will be present serving up craft beers for the occasion.

JazzFest this year also introduces its first all-festival pass — a component  JazzFest regulars have asked for in recent years. Pass-holders receive a preferred-seat ticket for each of nine concerts of their choosing, plus walk-up admission to the remaining three shows.

“We want audiences to have fun and just immerse themselves,” Pontremoli said. “They may have a couple of favorite acts in mind, but the pass makes it easy for them to move freely, and explore music they may know less about, all while enjoying the theater district during the best days of summer.”

The pass has a face value of $445. To purchase, visit www.tri-cjazzfest.com or call 216-987-4049.

Individual concert tickets are currently on sale.

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Along with a growing collaboration with PlayhouseSquare,Tri-C  JazzFest will partner with Nighttown in Cleveland Heights, the Cleveland Museum of Art, Karamu House and Mahall’s 20 Lanes in Lakewood for events throughout the year.

This is the 35th consecutive year that Cuyahoga Community College has presented the festival, which has usually been in April. Founded by Dr. Thom Horning and Reginald Bruckner, JazzFest was begun with the intention of fostering the history and nurturing the future of jazz, providing educational opportunities, and bringing world-class jazz to Cleveland.

Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland is made possible through support from Cuyahoga Community College, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, the Ohio Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as a growing list of members and sponsors.

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