The City of Pompano Beach kicks off its inaugural two-day Jazz Festival later this month with a combination of free and ticketed events that feature top performers in the field. The event will take place at the beach and at the city’s Cultural Center.
The star-studded occasion opens with a concert Friday, Jan. 28 at 8 p.m. at The Great Lawn along the beach, featuring 10-time Grammy Award winner Arturo Sandoval
Day 2 on Saturday, Jan. 29, is an immersive musical extravaganza at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center. During the afternoon, the center’s ArtsPlaza will reverberate with the sounds of artists like Sammy Figueroa, Bryan Lynch, Magela Herrera and Ashley Pezzotti, in addition to emerging and student artists under the direction of Grammy Award-winning professor Dr. Ed Calle.
Jazz Fest Pompano Beach is a partnership with KCC Productions, a well-known concert and festival production company. Ticket information is available at www.pompanobeacharts.org/jazzfest.
Famed trumpeter Arturo Sandoval opens the inaugural Pompano Beach Jazz Festival Jan. 28 along the city’s beach.
“It is an extraordinary opportunity to experience some of the greatest musicians of our time,” said Phyllis Korab, director of the city’s Cultural Affairs Department. “We are honored to invite jazz lovers from all over South Florida and beyond to enjoy our city’s amenities and participate in this inaugural event.”
Jazz Fest Pompano Beach starts making waves Friday evening along the city’s stunning shoreline. The recently redeveloped area now boasts world-class restaurants, a new Hilton hotel and the gorgeous Fisher Family pier.
The Great Lawn will be the site of the concert by Arturo Sandoval with special guest vocalist Ashley Pezzotti and as master of ceremonies, Grammy winner Nestor Torres.
Brian Lynch joins the array of performers at the inaugural Pompano Beach Jazz Festival Jan. 28-29 along the city’s beach and cultural center. (Photo by Nick Ruechel)
A world-renowned trumpeter, pianist and composer, Sandoval will perform a special set of original music with homages to legends including Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Clifford Brown. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for this event at $65 each. General admission is free.
Latin Grammy Award winning performer Torres’ rhythmic and mellifluous flute tunes remain in a class all by themselves. His distinctive musicianship can be heard on collaborations with artists such as Gloria Estefan, Kenny Loggins, Dave Mathews, Herbie Hancock, Tito Puente, Michael Camilo, Paquito D’ Rivera and Arturo Sandoval, as well as with the Cleveland, Singapore and New World Symphony orchestras, among others.
Dee Dee Bridgewater performs Jan. 29 top conclude the inaugural Pompano Beach Jazz Festival along the city’s beach and at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center.
When the festival heads downtown on Day 2, the Pompano Beach Cultural Center’s ArtsPlaza will come to life with two stages, a variety of food trucks, a jazz bar and festival vendors.
A stellar line-up of musicians will be hitting the high notes for the enjoyment of jazz enthusiasts and casual fans alike. In addition, there will be meet-n-greet opportunities and a Student Stage featuring musicians from Miami Dade College, under the direction of Grammy Award-winning Dr. Ed Calle.
General admission is free. Guests are asked to bring lawn chairs or blankets, and RSVPs via the website are requested.
The schedule for Saturday is:
Magela Herrera, noon. A native of Havana, she is an Afro-Cuban flautist and vocalist who has toured worldwide developing a unique timbre, phrasing technique, rhythm and melodic skills on the flute.
Brian Lynch, 1:30 p.m. Trumpeter Brian Lynch is a multi-Grammy Award winner who has been a collaborator with jazz artists such as Benny Golson, Toshiko Akiyoshi and Charles McPherson, Latin music icons as diverse as Hector LaVoe and Lila Downs and pop luminaries such as Prince.
Ashley Pezzotti, 3 p.m. She is a vocalist currently living in Miami. At the age of 21, she had already performed with Grammy award winning artists that included Keith Urban, Latin singer Juanes, Chick Corea, Delfeayo Marsalis, Vampire Weekend and Arturo Sandoval.
Sammy Figueroa, 4:30 p.m. He has long been regarded as one of the world’s great musicians. A leading percussionist, he has played on countless records and is well-known for his versatility in a multitude of musical styles.
Three-time Grammy Award-winning artist and legendary theatre star, Dee Dee Bridgewater, headlines the final concert on Saturday, Jan. 29 beginning at 8 p.m. inside the theater of the Pompano Beach Cultural Center. The winner of a Tony Award for her role as Glenda the Good Witch in The Wiz has garnered world-wide acclaim for her style and ability to mesmerize audiences with her signature renditions of jazz, pop and Broadway favorites. Ticket prices for her show are $65.
