YOUNGSTOWN, OH – The 2011 Youngstown Jazz Fest will inaugurate the newly appointed Harrison Commons @ Youngstown State University Saturday July 9 with five regional artists and national recording group, SounDoctrine. The Music begins at 6:00PM and is Free to the Public.
A Collaborative effort between the Mahoning County Convention & Visitors Bureau, YSU Summer Arts Fest, the City of Youngstown and Indie Label Niayana Recordings made the event possible.
Niayana Recordings CVO and Producer of this year’s event, Jere B, states “Our goal for the Jazz Fest was to simply make it the biggest and best in this city’s history and our purpose is three-fold: to present an event the Entire Family can Enjoy – from 8 to 89 [years of age], in a venue where people can bring their lawn chairs, blankets, picnic baskets, coolers and be completely comfortable in a safe, communal environment and to present the finest performances in jazz from independent artists, who although are not considered “Big Names” are just as powerful and professional.”
He adds that Harrison Commons, which is located right across from the famed MVR Restaurant creates just the right ambiance for the occasion.
Included on the lineup is Clevelander Phillip K Jones II, who will be bringing his special blend of “Jazzpel” in classical quartet form. Jones, a graduate of the Oberlin College Conservatory has two critically acclaimed albums to his credit and will utilize the jazz fest as a CD Release Event for his third project, entitled “Faith of Our Fathers, Vol I & II.
Pittsburgh Songstress, Antoinette’s debut CD, ‘Verbal Crush’ was produced by the legendary Norman Connors. She has recorded and performed with R&B icon, Howard Hewitt and teamed with Grammy Award Winning Producer, Roger Hatfield to release her sophomore project, ‘Curious Life.’ Fans of Anita Baker, Phyllis Hyman & Dionne Warwick will enjoy her style.
Also from Pittsburgh, bringing a Latin Flavor to the festival is Chico’s Quintet, whose leader, Carlos Ortiz IV, is a student at Duquesne University and of Youngstown Native, Professor and Trumpeter, Sean Jones. Chico’s recently released debut is comprised of many colors of the jazz spectrum and the band has set off an aggressive touring schedule.
Trombonist Sam Blakeslee will open the show, leading fellow students of the YSU Jazz Studies Program through various phases of the genre, from traditional to contemporary motifs.
Billed as “Originalternativefunkjazzfusion,” headliners SounDoctrine will present new music from their latest album, “Inspire” and perform fan favorites that have made them a hit on The Weather Channel and other National Programs. The band’s latest single, “Marriage” was recently included in the internationally distributed compilation “Jazz Infusion 2” by the U.S. New Jazz company.
For more information about this event or the artists, please visit www.youngstownjazzfest.com or call 330-718-5373