Houston International Jazz Festival
Celebrates 20TH Anniversary with Cool Music and Hot Concerts
August 6-8
HOUSTON (July 12, 2010) . . . The Houston International Jazz Festival, celebrating its 20th season, is rich in heritage, culture and sound. Kicking off Jazz Month in Houston, the August 6-8 Festival includes a kick-off party at one of Houston’s most renowned jazz clubs, followed by two days of evening concerts at Discovery Green, and the Mayor’s Scholarship Jazz Brunch. More than 10,000 music lovers and jazz enthusiasts are expected to experience this sensational weekend of events.
Yellow Tail Reserve will kick off the festivities with a party Friday, August 6 at 8 p.m. at Red Cat Jazz Café, 924 Congress, with live music by Theresa Grayson. Reservations are required through www.redcatjazzcafe.com. Then the fun moves outdoors for two days of musical magic Saturday and Sunday evenings, August 7-8 at Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney.
The festival brings together international jazz aficionados featuring Rachelle Ferrell, Hiroshima and Texas Brass Band with Kyle Turner on Saturday, August 7 for what is certain to be a cool evening of joyful jazz. On Sunday, August 8, the Kroger Mayor’s Scholarship Jazz Brunch takes place at the Wortham Theater, 610 Preston, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to honor the history of jazz and its students past, present and future. That evening, Latin Jazz greats Tito Puente, Jr., and M.F. Production’s Latin Jazz All-Stars take the stage at Discovery Green to close the festival out in style, with a special appearance by the Summer Jazz Workshop All-Stars.
Gates open at Discovery Green at 4 p.m. daily with music until 10 p.m. Select booths and delectable food and drink vendors round out the entertainment offerings at the outdoor amphitheater setting.
Sponsors of the Houston International Jazz Festival include Kroger, Comcast, Yellow Tail Reserve, Bud Light, City of Houston, Houston Arts Alliance, The Greensheet, Houston Press, Hilton Americas, Red Cat Jazz Café, Choice, The Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Discovery Green.
Tickets to Houston International Jazz Festival are $20 for general admission lawn seating and $35 for VIP reserved seating per day and may be purchased at www.ticketweb.com or at the gate.
All proceeds of Houston International Jazz Festival benefit Jazz Education Inc. to help fund educational programs including the “Jazz & Poetry Series” and the “Summer Jazz Workshop.” The Jazz & Poetry Series serves more than 30,000 elementary school students throughout greater Houston, while the Summer Jazz Workshop, now in its 39th season, trains over 100 teenage jazz musicians yearly. For more information about the Houston International Jazz Festival or Jazz Education Inc., visit www.jazzeducation.org or call 713.839.7000.
© MMVIII 