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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Eleuthera All That Jazz artists are set to perform 30 March to April 3, 2016. (Photo credit Marc Coeffic.)
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Nassau, Bahamas - The Eleuthera All That Jazz Festival will soon be celebrating its fourth anniversary, bringing a host of renowned jazz artists to perform on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas from 30th March to April 3rd 2016.
Recently listed in USA Today as one of the top ten Caribbean musical festivals to see in 2016, Eleuthera All That Jazz has been steadily growing its reputation since its first concert in 2012. Founder and Chairwoman of the festival, Patricia Leigh-Wood said “every year we aim to attract an exciting new mix of both local and international jazz artists and this year will be no exception.”
Featured global artists in 2016 include singer Gabrielle Stravelli, adored for her unique take on American greats like Duke Ellington and Dolly Parton, accompanied by her quintet and also featuring renowned saxophonist Scott Robinson ; New York’s King Solomon Hicks with his jazzy guitar sounds and vocals , and from Austria the dynamic double piano performers Johnny SchÜtten – who is also the Musical Director of the festival – and Christoph “Boogie Wolf ” Steinbach.
Local Bahamian artists Adrian D’Aguilar & The Jazz Cats will be returning to the festival, and presenting some young new talents such as vocalist Anuschka Wright. Other popular performers returning are Dion Turnquest, Ralph Munnings , saxophonist Tino Richardson and drummer Kevin Dean.
The two main events of the festival are on the evening of Saturday 2nd April at the Leon Levy Preserve, a loyal sponsor since the festival’s first year, and a gourmet jazz lunch at a private residence overlooking the beach on Sunday 3rd April.
Johnny SchÜtten said “We are very excited to be putting on even more shows than previous years, a total of 7 events over the 5 days, allowing us to have a broader geographical reach around the island and to not limit ourselves to just evening concerts”.
All profits made by the festival are donated to the historic Hayne’s Library in Governor’s Harbor, which provides invaluable support and resources to the local community through a multitude of free services and outreach programs, especially for children, in such areas as homework assistance, arts and crafts and computer proficiency. And the jazz festival adds to this educational objective by running a “meet the instruments” session at the library for local children.
President of the Hayne’s Library Michele Johnson said “The festival has been an extremely welcome addition to our annual fund raising , last year providing more than $20,000 to our funding. This year we are planning to use the donation towards refurbishing and providing new equipment for our computer room. Few students on the island can afford a computer at home, so this is an essential educational tool for them.”
As well as supporting the Hayne’s Library, the festival also aims to provide valuable contacts for Bahamian musicians in the international music scene and encourage visitors to Eleuthera as a cultural tourist location.
Profits are made through ticket sales but also in large part by the generous donations made by private and public sponsors. Together with the Leon Levy Preserve, the main 2016 sponsors are Damiano’s, HG Christie and the Royal Bank of Canada and Eleuthera Island Organics will once again be donating stunning, edible table decorations for the Sunday jazz lunch.
Full details on the performances, artists and how to buy tickets or sponsor the festival are available on the website www.eleutheraallthatjazz.com.
© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com
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