2011 Schedule
Two FULL DAYS of music !!
scroll down for complete line up.
Saturday, September 3rd
Jazz Cafe Stage
5pm, 6:50pm & 8pm
Denny Jiosa
Jazz-iz Magazine - "If Eric Clapton played smooth jazz, he'd sound like Denny Jiosa. Jiosa simmers rather than overpowers. Denny proves he has both smooth and real jazz chops."
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"what smooth jazz COULD be" Brad Stone / KSJS / San Jose, Ca
Energetic,vibrant,improvisational, lyrical, masterful…these are just a small sampling of the terms that have been used to describe guitarist Denny Jiosa’s music by some of the nation’s most formidable music critics. With five exceptional CDs already under his belt, Jiosa stands out in today’s field of instrumental musicians as one who refuses to compromise and always surprises. His latest release, Dreams Like This, on Sonic Canvas Records, Jiosa once again breaks new musical ground.
Main Stage
6pm: Diane Marino Quartet
When you combine an accomplished vocalist, an accomplished pianist, and accomplished arranger all in one individual, you have the dynamic Diane Marino.
“An unusually unique talent… great pianist, vocalist, arranger” Les Davis-Real jazz-Sirius/XM Radio
Diane’s most recent CD, “From The Heart” (2011) clearly defines the artist. An eclectic blend of Vocal and Instrumental Mainstream, Brazilian and Latin Jazz... Creative and refreshing arrangements... along with stellar performances by all. A definitive collection of favorite tracks from Diane’s three previous CD’s, all of which have charted nationally on the JazzWeek charts and continue to receive National and International airplay today.
M&M Records Recording Artist Diane Marino has recorded, performed, and shared the stage with jazz legends Houston Person, Joe Henderson, Wycliffe Gordon, Pete Escovedo, Tania Maria, Kirk Whalum, pop music icon Felix Cavaliere and many others.
Recently Diane has performed at Trumpets Jazz Club in NJ, The Metropolitan Room-NYC. Past performances include numerous Jazz venues and festivals, including Montreux Atlanta Festival, Town Point Jazz Festival, Churchill Grounds, The Jazz Factory, City Stages, Jazz Junction, Bele Chere Music Festival, Franklin Jazz Festival, Summer Lights Music Festival and more.
"A Sleepin' Bee"- "Jazz in its purist form." John Gilbert –Jazz Review“
“All 12 songs (Just Groovin) are catchy tunes made decidedly more interesting by the bluesy Marino and an assortment of first-rate guests.” Christopher Louden - Jazz Times
“Diane Marino sings with clarity and a pleasing ease of expression on the attractive material chosen for her recommended new jazz album, Just Groovin'. She's a class act. ”Frank-John Hadley, Downbeat Critic – Downbeat
“Singer/pianist Diane Marino combines sophisticated solos and elegant, expressive vocals in a distinctive and exciting fashion. She also exceeds in another related arena: Brazilian music. Her CD's blend standards with outstanding versions of bossa nova and samba, sung in Portuguese. ”Ron Wynn - The City Paper, Nashville TN
“Great variety, Jazz to the max! ”Joost van Steen/Jazz&Blues Tour Radio Show, Alphen Stad FM/The Netherlands
7pm: Cissy Crutcher
The Franklin Jazz Festival, is excited to bring back by popular demand Cissy Crutcher to the Main Stage. Growing up listening to “big, black cd’s,” Cissy feels fortunate to have been fed jazz and big band music from her father, gospel from her mother, and from her older brothers came funk, soul, R&B, a little pop, and more jazz. "I learned to identify vocalists, great songs, great songwriters, stylists, the BE from the BOP, and the HIP from the HOP. From her first live performance at 4 years old—in front of hundreds at one of our church’s largest annual gatherings. She has brought brought her own tastes, herbs, and spices to make her musical stew. It is hard to tell what all is in there, but it’s all good!
8:30pm: C.J. Chenier and The Red Hot Louisiana Band
Clayton Joseph Chenier was born September 28, 1957, the son of the great King of Zydeco, Clifton Chenier. C.J.'s father was the first Creole musician to win a Grammy Award. C.J. spent his childhood in the tough tenement housing projects of Port Arthur, Texas. His earliest musical influences were an eclectic mix of funk, soul, jazz and Motown, and his first musical instruments were piano, tenor saxophone and flute. It wasn't until his 21st birthday, after winning a scholarship and studying music at Texas Southern University, that C.J. first performed with his famous father and the legendary Red Hot Louisiana band.
On the road his father showed him how to front a world class touring band, teaching C.J. how to run the family business and how to develop his lifelong passion for music into a career. When Clifton died in 1987 his son adopted the Red Hot Louisiana Band and recorded his debut album for the great American independent label Arhoolie Records. As he told a journalist at the time, he does not try to imitate his father's playing: "I play it the way I play it. All my father really told me was to do the best I could do with my own style." In the following years C.J. would record albums Slash Records and the legendary Chicago label Alligator Records. When Paul Simon recorded his 1990 album Rhythm of the Saints, he handpicked C.J. Chenier to play accordion (alongside Ringo Starr on drums).
In the autumn of 2005, just prior to recording his latest album for Harmonia Mundi's World Village label, the delta region of the United States was pummeled twice by vicious hurricanes that left much of Louisiana and large sections of C.J.'s hometown of Port Arthur, Texas decimated. In the aftermath of these floods, C.J. began writing and recording a collection of songs in a stark contrast to the upbeat nature of some of many his past recordings.
Critical Praise for C.J.
"the best living Zydeco singer and accordionist"
LIVING BLUES
"the heir to the Zydeco throne"
BILLBOARD
"C.J. Chenier attacks the accordion with the tension and drive of James Brown"
BOSTON GLOBE
"C.J. takes zydeco music into the R&B mainstream"
WASHINGTON POST
"C.J. Chenier gives the bayou dance music a modern makover with Step It Up. C.J. expands and carves out his own distinctive brand of zydeco."
- Houston Chronicle
"C.J. Chenier lives up to the first family of Zydeco's name with this rousing record, as good a party album as is likely to appear anytime soon. Masterful."
- Chicago Sun-Times
"C.J. Chenier embodies the probable future of zydeco, stirring contemporary influences like R&B, soul, and funk into his spicy musical gumbo."
- Chicago Reader
"Chenier's knack for catchy tunes and driving grooves has made him one of America's most recognizable zydeco stars.
- Chicago Tribune
"Chenier's hands glide effortlessly up-and-down the accordion's black and whites as he sings that zydeco is spreading all over the land like an uncontrollable fever. Infectious and rollicking."
- Offbeat
"Chenier's molasses-streaked, soulful, bluesy voice has contributed to a highly energized brand of zydeco."
- Minneapolis City Pages
"Aspirants to the zydeco throne vacated by Clifton Chenier's death in 1987 are many but Clifton's son C.J. may well be the true royal successor.
- Downbeat
Sunday, September 4th
Jazz Cafe Stage
5pm, 6:50pm & 8pm
El Movimiento
Composed of an all-star roster of Nashville’s leading jazz & world-music artists El Movimiento (or "ElMo" as the band is affectionately referred to by its hometown fans) has in a few short years established itself as a sensation on the Music City’s jazz scene. The septet’s powerful and original sound and repertoire are the result of a unique partnership between a multi-cultural trio of accomplished instrumentalists and composers: Saxophonist and Nashville native Rahsaan Barber, Dominican percussionist Giovanni Rodriguez & Puerto-Rican trumpeter Imer Santiago. Emerging modestly from a group of young creative musicians who gathered weekly at a coffee house to play music that transcended boundaries and categories, El Movimiento has dedicated itself to two inspiring missions: To build on the heritage established by Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Machito and other Latin jazz giants and to incorporate into its sound contemporary influences like modern jazz, rock and other popular American styles. The ensemble has succeeded in satisfying die-hard Latin jazz fans and attracting a generation of younger listeners raised on the sounds of contemporary jazz, Latin pop and soul. This global approach to music-making has enabled El Movimiento to create an exciting, modern, jazz-influenced sound that synthesizes the best elements of African- and Latin-American musical traditions from the US, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Argentina, Cuba & Puerto Rico.
Main Stage
6pm:The Kelli Cox Collaborative
The Kelli Cox Collaborative is a six piece band make up of some of the most sought after musicians in Nashville. Individually, they have played with artists ranging from Delbert McClinton, country star Kenny Chesney, pop legent Billy Joel, jazz legends Jon Hendricks and Ernie Watts, icons such as Bob Hope, and many others. These musicians have put together all of their talents to perform on a very challenging level that still captures the audience and shows them the excitement that modern jazz can produce.
7pm: Tim & Myles Thompson Band
Tim and Myles Thompson are an "award winning" Americana-jazz folk duo (That will be a quartet for the Franklin Jazz Festival) that uses acoustic guitar, violin, mandolin and vocals to entertain music lovers of all ages. The father-son act presents exhilarating instrumental and vocal duets of improvised originals and classics reminiscent of legendary artists such as Chet Atkins, Joe Venuti, Chick Corea, and Bob Dylan. Although influenced by the masters, their down-to-earth musical style is all their own - a one -of-kind combination of improvisational jazz, traditional folk, singer - songwritter, country, rock and world.
Career Highlights
Featured in Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine, Taylor Guitar's Wood & Steel Magazine, and Just Jazz Guitar Magazine.
8:30pm: The Nashville Jazz Orchestra
Featuring "Blue Lou" Marini and Charles "Wig" Walker
Unsung Hero: “Blue Lou” Marini
Saxophones, Flutes, Clarinet, Arranger, Composer, Educator, Producer
“Lou has a lot to say, and all should listen.”
—Bob Hensley, L.A. review
Often referred to as an “unsung jazz hero,” platinum recording artist, Lou Marini, Jr. is the seasoned soul and adept multi-instrumentalist, arranger, composer, educator, and producer credited with inspiring the origins of a fan-following cult across multiple genres of music.
Making a name for himself as a sideman in various high profile groups, any top New York jazz musician will tell you he’s “one of the absolute best jazz musicians.” The New York based Marini is famed for his chameleon-like adaptability to imagine and perform inventive ideas in jazz, rock, blues and classical music. Describing Lou’s performances, the New York Times said, “(he’s) the focal point of the group…(who) gives the band most of its colors and shadings, and provides it with a strongly melodic lead voice.”
Highly Sought Sideman
Popular since the early 1970s, Lou Marini, Jr. continues to be one of the most sought-after sidemen and session musicians on the New York scene. Due in part to his incredible skill and talent of the highest calibre, Marini masters many styles and instruments. He is accomplished on soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxes, piccolo, flute, alto flute, bass flute and clarinet.
The ever-present influence of Lou Marini, Jr. is all around you. Jingles, television, radio and concerts all reflect the irresistible, innovative sounds of this veteran performer who electrifies audiences internationally. He truly is one of the industry’s most prolific luminaries who demonstrates a tireless commitment to his craft.
Band Membership
Lou Marini, Jr. is best known as a member of several distinguished bands: Woody Herman Orchestra, Doc Severinson, Blood, Sweat and Tears, The Band, Levon Helm & the RCO All-Stars, Dr. John, Frank Zappa, Saturday Night Live (SNL) Band, The Blues Brothers, Maureen McGovern, Lew Soloff Quintet, BlueBeck with Joe Beck, Eric Clapton, Red House, and the Magic City Jazz Orchestra. He has toured four times each with James Taylor’s Band of Legends and the John Tropea Band. A true blue lover of big bands, Lou has had the honor of performing with some of his childhood idols such as Thad Jones-Mel Lewis and the Buddy Rich Band, the latter with whom he also arranged.
Is it any wonder Marini’s arrangements and compositions display influences from the work of his heros? Gil Evans, Bob Brookmeyer, Thad Jones, Don Ellis, along with rock, pop and avant-garde techniques can be heard in his music. His unusual, off-the-wall notions, for example, are featured in his composi-tion “Hip Pickles,” a tune whose title doubles as the abstract name of his publishing company.
Album Recordings + Performances
The high profile cultural icon, Blue Lou Marini has recorded on numerous albums, many of which went platinum. Celebrities with whom his “Blueness,” as Lou is also known, has recorded with include Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Aerosmith, Maureen McGovern, Billy Joel, B.B. King, Luther Vandross, Lou Reed, Brecker Brothers, Dr. John, Donald Fagan, Eddie Palmieri, Jimmy Buffet, Frank Zappa, John Tropea, and Steely Dan. Contrasting, yet notable icons he has also performed with include Eric Clapton Smokey Robinson, Jose Carreras, Lou Rawls, The Supremes, Dr. John, Four Tops, Sting, and Tina Turner.
Saturday Night Live and The Blues Brothers
In fact, it is Marini’s seven year association as an original SNL band member that led to his role as “Blue Lou” in John Belushi and Dan Akroyd’s cult classic movie, “The Blues Brothers.” To this day, the remarkable popularity of the Blues Brothers Band is kept alive. Lou and the other band members tour worldwide, giving live concerts to packed houses and hundreds of thousands screaming fans.
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