Of Jacksonville’s signature annual festivals, the Jazz Festival is easily the premiere event. Not only is the University of North Florida one of the best jazz schools in the country, but you can find outstanding jazz trios and quartets on almost any side of town. From Simon’s and Layla’s in San Marco to The Casbah in Riverside and Aroma’s in Ponte Vedra, Jacksonville loves Jazz and the whole country pays attention to our jazz festival. When WJCT stopped hosting the festival, all of the jazz lovers cringed. When the city took it over, we cringed again, but the good news is: this year’s lineup has restored my faith in the fest. Here are some of the headliners to catch live.
If you have ever loved jazz, then you simply cannot miss this living legend. The Jazz Fest can hang it’s hat on bringing one of the best pianists in the history of the genre to town. McCoy earned plenty of fame by being Coltrane’s accompaniment on such classics as A Love Supreme and My Favorite Things. Even after his time with Coltrane, Tyner’s work with Blue Note Records is immensely notable in the post-bop style. Do not miss this historic performance. It alone will be worth admission and will be a moment you can relate to your grandchildren. He will be performing Saturday at 7:30 at the Florida Theatre.
Benson started as a jazz guitarist, ventured into popular rock and rythym & blues, and now is back in the jazz circuit. In the 60s Benson performed regularly with the legendary Miles Davis and did several recordings on Verve Records. He recently teamed up with Al Jarreau, recorded the album Givin’ It Up, and now they are coming through Jacksonville as part of the tour for that album.
Jazz singer Al Jarreau has toured with the likes of Miles Davis and has more recently appeared with American Idol’s Paris Bennet and he even has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his Broadway performance of Teen Angel in Grease. They will be performing Friday at 8:30 in Metropolitan Park.
It isn’t often that you can say: “Now that guy can really play the flugelhorn,” but Chuck Mangione is the exception. In 1978 his song ‘Feels So Good’ garnered him international success. Chuck’s song ‘Give It All You Got’ became the theme of the 1980 Winter Olympic Games. Currently he is most widely known by fans of the show King of the Hill, where he plays himself as the spokesperson the Wal-Mart-esque Mega Lo Mart in the series. Catch his spirited performance on Sunday at 3pm in the Ritz Theatre.
For a younger take on an old American tradition, check out the trumpeter and composer Chris Botti. More often considered part of the “smooth jazz” style than the classic jazz, he has performed with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Paul Simon and Sting. Although he is known for dabbling in experimental jazz, he is most widely recognized for his 2006 Grammy for the best instrumental arrangement accompanying vocals for his song ‘What Are You Doing for the Rest of Your Life.’ Botti plays Sunday at 5:45 at Metropolitan Park.
Jazz singer Dianne Reeves grew up in Detroit, but diverged from traditional jazz to Latin-American music. Later in her career she toured with the infamous Harry Belafonte and became the first vocalist to sign to Blue Note Records. She is also the only singer to win four “Best Vocal Jazz Performance” Grammies for three consecutive recordings. Catch her at the Florida Theatre on Sunday at 5 pm.
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