Charleston Jazz has a killer lineup slated for its fifth annual Charleston Jazz Festival, bringing tunes to venues around town from January 24 to 27. Full details and tickets are at charlestonjazz.com, but here’s a glimpse into the goings-on:
The 4-day fest packs in 12 bands and 120 musicians.
On January 25, 4 acts with local roots—Steve Simon & The Kings of Jazz, Robert Lewis Quartet, Robbie Madison & Kanika Moore, and Simon Harding Sextet—perform at Dockery’s from 6 to 11:30 p.m.
3 headliners take the stage:
1/24: Nestor Torres, a Latin Grammy-winning jazz flautist, brings his band from Miami to the Music Hall.
1/26: Vocalist Bobby McFerrin teams with Ranky Tanky at the Gaillard Center.
Zero dollars: the price for kids and students to attend Family Jazz Day at the Sottile Theatre on January 27 (an adult ticket is just $5). The talents of more than 75 student musicians will be on display in youth jazz bands as well as in the Charleston All Star Youth Orchestra, under the direction of David Carter, director of education and outreach at Charleston Jazz.
4,000 attendees are expected, including some 1,000 out-of-towners.
50 volunteers will take tickets, usher audiences, help with artist hospitality, and more.
One nonprofit is served by festival proceeds: the Charleston Jazz Academy, where the city’s leading teachers and performers guide highly motivated students in expanding their repertoire and nurturing their skills of improvisation. Get a peek into the process via a video at charlestonmag.com/features/jamming_together.
