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Toes are tapping. Fingers are snapping. Wilmington is about to get a little jazzier once again! This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of a beloved musical event held each year in the Port City celebrating our national musical treasure-jazz. The North Carolina Jazz Festival, scheduled for February 4, 5 and 6 at
the Hilton Wilmington Riverside, brings world-class musicians and
jazz-lovers to historic Wilmington. Each year, over one thousand
attendees from all over the United States, Canada and beyond, converge
to enjoy the music, the company and our fair city.
 Started in 1980 by
local dermatologist and consummate jazz lover Dr. Harry VanVelsor, the
NC Jazz Fest is now bigger and better than ever before.
At the heart of what makes this yearly event special is of course the music. "This is traditional jazz--Dixieland, New Orleans style, and Swing--an older style," says Sandy Evans, NC Jazz Festival president. And, then there's the perfect festival location. Organizers have always wanted to incorporate Wilmington itself as an integral part of the festival. Attendees have their evenings packed with exciting jazz performances, but their days are free to explore the town--to shop, sightsee and dine at local restaurants. "The whole city benefits from these jazz lovers," Sandy is proud to say. So you like jazz music, but don't know your Dixieland from your Swing from your La Vida Loca? Locals might want to take advantage of the Thursday night kick-off event, a 'Styles of Jazz' performance. It's a lively concert featuring an assortment of jazz varieties and a chance to see what the North Carolina Jazz Festival is all about. Included in the event are performances by Dixieland Band, Kevin Kolb Quartet (playing contemporary jazz), Stephanie Nakasian & the Hod O'Brien Trio featuring Herman Burney (playing the Ladies of Jazz and New Orleans Jazz with the Duke Heitger Sextet.  The Friday and Saturday night concerts are the real highlights of the weekend, a veritable jazz extravaganza. The jam-packed 4-hour concerts feature exciting performances by an All-Star line-up of famed musicians in the traditional jazz party style with seven sets each, mixing the musicians from set to set. Piano, trumpet, trombone, reeds, percussion, bass, guitar and smooth vocals by world-renowned jazz artists are sure to impress in this momentous anniversary year. The NC Jazz Festival is a non-profit organization, staffed solely by volunteers. As a special thank-you to the patrons that have been so important to the funding of the festival, this year boasts a highly anticipated festival addition: a 3-hour Jazz Cruise on Saturday February 6 onboard the Henrietta III. Patrons will enjoy the sights along the Cape Fear River, the toetapping music of the All-Star players, and our region's famous Carolina Bar-B-Q. Musically talented attendees will even have the opportunity to play along with the pros in an on-board jam session in the last set. The fun sets sail at 10:30am. Good news for festival newcomers, patron packages are still available--a $175 patron ticket includes the Friday and Saturday concerts plus the Henrietta Jazz Cruise. A $200 patron ticket gives you all events including the Thursday night "Styles of Jazz" concert.  All evening concerts begin at 7:30pm in the Hilton Wilmington Riverside ballroom. Thursday night "Styles of Jazz" general admission tickets are $30. Friday and Saturday night performances are $50. Student tickets to each event are $15, $25 for military. For general admission tickets and more festival information, visit www.ncjazzfestival.com or call Sandy Evans at 910.793.1111. Tickets are also available at AudioLab located at 5732 Oleander Drive (910.392.1200). For Patron packages, call Sandy Evans. Tickets are limited, so make sure you don't miss this 30th anniversary event! |
