Savannah SAVANNAHMusic festival MUSIC March 19 – April 5, 2009
Press KIT
FESTIVAL MARCH 19 – APRIL 5, 2009
www.savannahmusicfestival.org
“ ...programming of staggering breadth... the diverse modes of musical expression co-exist with utter equanimity in this beguiling port city.” –FINANCIAL TIMES, UK, April 2008
THE FESTIVAL IN BRIEF The Savannah Music Festival (SMF) is Georgia’s largest musical arts festival and one of the most distinctive crossgenre music festivals in the world. It has grown into such prominence in the last six years, bringing internationally renowned musicians in jazz, blues, classical, bluegrass, gospel and other styles of American and international roots music to Savannah every spring. An 18-day marathon of performances, SMF combines elegance and soul in a way that mirrors the history and culture of Savannah.
SAVANNAH
MUSIC
FESTIVAL MARCH 19 – APRIL 5, 2009
2009 PRESS KIT
PRESS CONTACT: Ryan McMaken at 912.234.3378 x104 or ryan@savannahmusicfestival.org | www.savannahmusicfestival.org
As noted in the Toronto Star in April 2008, “Walking to festival events through Savannah’s still surviving 18th-century squares, beneath venerable live oaks and past azalea bushes bursting into colour is like stepping back into a more gracious age. And yet, the festival itself is as much about today’s artists as yesterday’s heritage.” Hearing chamber music, Fado, gospel and Cajun music in one night is a cohesive experience in the old world atmosphere of Savannah. Again in 2009, SMF programs celebrate the innovation of past masters while spotlighting today’s finest exponents of diverse musical traditions, with every artist presented on the same level and with world-class production standards.
COMMISSIONS IN 2009 • A new piece by composer Christopher Theofanidis, commissioned by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in partnership with the Savannah Music Festival and the Immanuel and Helen Olshan Texas Music Festival, will be played at the final concert. The concert ends with SMF’s new Associate Artistic Director of Jazz, Marcus Roberts, performing his arrangement of Gershwin’s “Concerto in F” with his trio and the orchestra. • Daniel Hope and Lorenza Borrani (Concertmaster of Chamber Orchestra of Europe) premiere the new “Duo for Violins,” a commissioned piece by Alexandra du Bois. • Commissions for the celebration of the Johnny Mercer Centennial include new arrangements of Mercer’s songs by Ted Nash of Jazz at Lincoln Center and “Skylark”: The Music of Johnny Mercer with Andrea Marcovicci, a five-night stand.
ORIGINAL PRODUCTIONS & OTHER HIGHLIGHTS IN 2009 PROGRAMMING • Long Time Travelin’: a celebration of American folksong traditions: Rayna Gellert of Uncle Earl with Patrick Sauber, old-time balladeer Tim Eriksen, National Heritage Fellow Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, the Tatnall River Shapenote Singers, and host Jim Lauderdale, an acclaimed Nashville singer-songwriter • Gershwin Songbook featuring pianists Marcus Roberts and Sebastian Knauer • The Blues was Born Here: Piedmont blues masters Cephas & Wiggins joined by Georgia’s own Beverly “Guitar” Watkins • Bobby Lee Rodgers & Friends featuring Jimmy Herring, Ike Stubblefield and Joe Craven
“ Savannah excels at programming through the prism of Americana. Musical traditions from this country are at the heart of what goes on there.” –CHARLESTON POST & COURIER
2009 HIGHLIGHTS (continued) •P iano Showdown 2009 with Eddie Palmieri, Henry Butler, Aaron Goldberg and Bob Seeley •B ig World of Music series includes Mariza, Mike Marshall & Darol Anger with Väsen, Bela Fleck’s Africa Project: Throw Down Your Heart with Toumani Diabate, Vusi Mahlasela, D’Gary and Anania Ngoriga, and Maestros in Concert: Zakir Hussain & Shivkumar Sharma. • Savannah Jazz Party and Jazz Now and Forever series feature Chick Corea & John McLaughlin’s Five Peace Band, Dianne Reeves, The Clayton Brothers, Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, Howard Paul and Ken Peplowski, and the Ellis Marsalis Quartet. • I ntimate recitals with Garrick Ohlsson, Marc-Andre Hamelin, Manuel Barrueco and Ian Bostridge with Julius Drake • Academy of Ancient Music with Richard Egarr perform The Complete Brandenburg Concertos •O rgan Stops, the return of a mid-day series devoted to Savannah’s storied pipe organs • Louisiana’s young traditionalists: Feufollet and Cedric Watson each host a series of dance parties at Morris Center. •C hick Corea & John McLaughlin’s Five Peace Band featuring Christian McBride, Kenny Garrett and Vinnie Colaiuta • S ebastian Knauer pays tribute to Mendelssohn on the 200th anniversary of his birth. CEDRIC WATSON
• Swing Central Battle Royale: the Finale of our high school jazz band competition features a cutting contest at the Lucas Theatre on March 27. Two rhythm sections, the Marcus Roberts Trio and The Clayton Brothers, back up high school soloists from the top three bands as they go head-to-head in front of the crowd. Mentors Wycliffe Gordon, Marcus Printup, Jeff Clayton and others follow the high school students in the same format.
JOHNNY MERCER CENTENNIAL Savannah native John Herndon “Johnny” Mercer (November 18, 1909 – June 25, 1976) traveled the world, never forgetting his roots. He was best known as the lyricist of more than a thousand songs, including compositions for movies and Broadway shows, and many of the most popular hits of 1930s, 40s and 50s, which are still performed today. Many of the artists appearing in this year’s festival are performing Mercer compositions to celebrate the centenary of Johnny’s birth in Savannah. • Mercer songs are played and/or sung by Dianne Reeves, Marcus Roberts, the Clayton Brothers and others. • Skylark: Andrea Marcovicci Sings Mercer, a five-night stand commissioned by SMF. • Swing Central bands perform a second commissioned arrangement of a Johnny Mercer song during the finals. • American Traditions Vocal Competition: Semifinalists are required to include a Mercer song in their performance. Select singers also perform Johnny Mercer songs for a theatre full of 1400 area elementary students that week. JOHNNY MERCER CENTENNIAL
“ Savannah Music Festival has evolved into a marathon of Zydeco, Gershwin, Gospel and Southern Rock that spills across the city.”
“ ...like stepping back into a more gracious age... the festival itself is as much about today’s artists as yesterday’s heritage.” –TORONTO STAR
–THE NEW YORK TIMES
2009 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
MARIZA
WEEK ONE March 19 through March 23
WEEK TWO March 24 through March 30
• Rayna Gellert & Patrick Sauber, Mid-day old-time • Garrick Ohlsson • The Blues Was Born Here: Cephas & Wiggins and Beverly “Guitar” Watkins • Sensations I : Beethoven: String Trio in G, Op. 9, No. 1 Schulhoff: Duo for Violin and Cello Barber: Adagio from String Quartet, Op. 11 Dvorak: Piano Quintet in A, Op. 81 • Long Time Travelin’: A revue of American folksong traditions with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Tim Eriksen, Rayna Gellert & Patrick Sauber, and the Tatnall River Shapenote Singers, hosted by Jim Lauderdale • Dianne Reeves • Bobby Lee Rodgers & Friends with Jimmy Herring • Sacred Harp Singing led by Tim Eriksen • Mariza • Skylark: Andrea Marcovicci Sings Mercer, five-night stand commissioned by SMF for Johnny Mercer Centennial • Prazak Quartet, all-Czech program • Zydeco Dance Party with Cedric Watson • Sensations II: Alexandra du Bois: Duo for Two Violins (premiere of SMF-commissioned work) Rachmaninoff: Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 19 Schubert: Quintet in C, D. 956 • Organ Stops begins: the return of a free six-concert series featuring Savannah’s storied organs, spread throughout the festival • Synergy Brass Quintet
• Mike Marshall, Darol Anger & Väsen, two nights • Sensations III: Brahms: Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op. 34 Tchaikovsky: Sextet in D Minor, Op. 70, “Souvenir de Florence” • Swing Central Mid-day Shows on River Street • Sebastian Knauer Plays Mendelssohn in honor of his 200th Birthday • The Clayton Brothers • Manuel Barrueco • Swing Central Competition • Academy of Ancient Music, The Complete Brandenburg Concertos • Swing Central Finale: solo instrumentalists, both students and teachers, ‘cut heads’ in front of a crowd at the Lucas Theatre • INDIMU: late night indie rock, electronic music, hip hop and metal • Gershwin Songbook: Marcus Roberts and Sebastian Knauer • Chick Corea & John McLaughlin’s Five Peace Band • Punch Brothers with Chris Thile • Sensations IV: Schubert: String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor, D. 810, “Death and the Maiden” Elgar: Piano Quintet in A Minor, Op. 84
• Marc-André Hamelin
• The Infamous Stringdusters and The Lovell Sisters • Ian Bostridge with Julius Drake • Ellis Marsalis Quartet DANIEL HOPE & SEBASTIAN KNAUER
“ Savannah offers superb classical concerts and so much more... What a revelation...To miss it is unforgivable.” —GRAMOPHONE MAGAZINE, UK
“ Anyone with a love of music will find something to listen to, from Fado to Cuban/salsa bands to sacred harp singing.” –ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION
WEEK THREE March 31 through April 5 • Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, Howard Paul and Ken Peplowski • Billy Jonas, family show • Maestros in Concert: Zakir Hussain & Shivkumar Sharma • 16th Annual American Traditions Vocal Competition • Bob Seeley: Boogie Woogie Giant • Sensations V: Schnittke: Piano Quintet Mozart: Clarinet Quintet, K. 581 • Piano Showdown 2009: Henry Butler, Aaron Goldberg, Eddie Palmieri, and Bob Seeley • Caroline Herring • Latin Dance Party with Eddie Palmieri y La Perfecta II • Sensations VI: Brahms: Clarinet Trio, Op. 114 Schonfeld: Trio for Clarinet, Piano and Violin Poulenc: Clarinet Sonata Schubert: Fantasy for Violin and Piano in C, D. 934 • Cajun Dance Party with Feufollet • Neko Case, Crooked Fingers Opens • Savion Glover • Béla Fleck Africa Project featuring Toumani Diabate, Vusi Mahlasela, D’Gary and Anania Ngoriga • Ted Nash & Odeon Marcus Printup Quartet • Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Co-commissioned piece by Christopher Theofanidis, Gershwin’s Concerto in F with Marcus Roberts Trio
16th ANNUAL AMERICAN TRADITIONS COMPETITION Amateur vocalists sing from the American songbook and compete for over $30,000 during this 4-day event that attracts entrants from across the country. Esteemed 2009 judges include Liz Callaway, Peter Randsman, Judy Reale, George Shirley, and Wesla Whitfield.
THE MUSIC EDUCATION SERIES More than 13,000 students from area schools are bussed into downtown Savannah for free age-appropriate concerts performed by world-class musicians in historic theaters. A total of 21,000 students are served by 2009 music education programs.
SWING CENTRAL The Savannah Music Festival continues to lead the way in innovative educational programming and jazz preservation. Along with three days of workshops with some of the nation's finest jazz educators, this program invites twelve bands from around the nation (selected by audition) to visit Savannah for a chance to win up to $5000. Students will participate in clinics and performances, and will also have opportunities to see their clinicians collaborate with other renowned jazz musicians in the 2009 Savannah Jazz Party concerts. The top three bands selected by jury play alongside their SWING CENTRAL mentors on March 27 at the Lucas Theatre. Additionally, each band participating in SWING CENTRAL will be showcased in concert at ROUSAKIS PLAZA on River Street from 11am-2pm on March 26 and 27.
Browse the 2009 schedule online by series, instrument, genre or artist name at www.savannahmusicfestival.org DOYLE LAWSON
SAVION GLOVER
SOME OF OUR UNIQUE & IMAGINATIVE PRODUCTIONS The World of Slide Guitar with Jerry Douglas, Derek Trucks, Debashish Bhattacharya and Bob Brozman Sensations Chamber Music, an annual series of handpicked chamber music programs “Yamacraw” by James P. Johnson An Evening with Beethoven featuring Mia Farrow and the Beaux Arts Trio George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess East Meets West featuring Daniel Hope, Derek Trucks, Gaurav Mazumdar and Ayaan & Amaan Ali Bangash PUNCH BROTHERS FEATURING CHRIS THILE
“ ...more than two weeks of sounds ranging from country to classical and a perfect starting point for celebrating the start of spring along the coast of Georgia.”
–ASSOCIATED PRESS
PROGRAM HISTORY In 2002, director Rob Gibson returned to Georgia after co-founding Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York. In this first season, the twelve year old “Savannah Onstage International Arts Festival” became the “Savannah Music Festival,” honing its vision to spotlight the musical arts. SMF has produced a wealth of original commissions in that time, including premieres. Its primary goal is to provide a unique musical experience for both artists and audiences, all in the alluring atmosphere of one of the South’s most fascinating, provocative and historic cities. Since becoming the Savannah Music Festival, the following programs have taken place.
Mando Madness with David Grisman, Mike Marshall, Tony W illiamson, Sam Bush, Don Stiernberg, Tony Trischka, Todd Phillips, Darol Anger, David Grier Piano Showdown featuring various masters of stride, boogie woogie, jazz and ragtime piano; now in its third year. *among others SOME OF OUR COMMISSIONED WORKS “Celeste” by Stewart Copeland “Welcome to Georgia Town” by Wycliffe Gordon “Transfigured Night,” a new ballet by Alex Ossadnik “Concerto for Hope,” a violin concerto by Roxanna Panufnik “In the Spirit of Place,” a music and dance work for full gamelan orchestra by Gamelan Cudamani “Trio” by Uri Caine, written for the Beaux Arts Trio “Moody's Groove” by Jimmy Heath, written for Savannah native James Moody's 80th birthday hometown celebration In 2009, SMF will premiere a new piece by Alexandra du Bois, host a performance of the newest Christopher Theofanidis co-commission, and present a commissioned show of Mercer tunes by Andrea Marcovicci
“ ...one of the most varied music festivals that the U.S. has to offer.” –PASTE MAGAZINE Contributing Artists by Year 2008 Gabriel Grossi & Daniel Santiago, Yundi Li, Blind Boys of Alabama, Adolphus Bell, Steep Canyon Rangers, Jennifer Larmore, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Marty Stuart & Travis Tritt, Nrityagram Dance Ensemble, Daniel Hope & Sebastian Knauer, Ali Akbar Moradi, Hamilton de Holanda Quintet, Nappy Brown, Bob Margolin, Rick Friend (Silent Film Accompaniment: “The Scarecrow,” “Sherlock, Jr.” and “Blackmail”), Jonathan Biss, Emerson String Quartet with Wu Han, Sean Costello, Eric Culberson, Stewart Copeland (premiere of “Celeste”), Red Stick Ramblers, Audra McDonald, Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby, Pitingo, Modern Skirts, Fa So La Workshop with Richard DeLong, Cherryholmes, Angelique Kidjo, Ana Moura, Tiempo Libre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra with Garrick Ohlsson, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Sweet Singing Harmony Harmoneers, Philip Dukes, Josephine Knight, Patrick Messina, Benny Kim, Kristian Kjos Sorenson, CarlaMaria Rodrigues, Daxun Zhang, Christopher Wu, Keith Robinson, Scrapomatic with Kristina Train, Carl “Sonny” Leyland, Beaux Arts Trio, Piano Showdown (Marcus Roberts, Hank Jones, Carl Leyland and Eric Reed), Derek Trucks Band, Andreas Oberg Quartet, Swinging Around the World (Roberta Gambarini, Hank Jones, Andreas Oberg and Walter Blanding), The World of Slide Guitar (Jerry Douglas, Debashish Bhattacharya, Bob Brozman and Derek Trucks), West Coast Jazz Meets Southern Swing (Eric Reed Trio with Jeff Clayton and Marcus Roberts Trio with Marcus Printup), Yu Kosuge, The One & Only Wycliffe Gordon (premiere of “Welcome to Georgia Town”), Abigail Washburn & the Sparrow Quartet featuring Bela Fleck with Casey Driessen & Ben Sollee, Swing Central High School Jazz Bands (1st Place - New World School for the Arts (Miami, FL), 2nd Place - Dillard Center for the Arts (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) and 3rd Place - Agoura High School (Agoura Hills, CA))
Time (Wycliffe Gordon, Ken Peplowski, James Chirillo, Chuck Riggs, Howard Alden, Bucky Pizzarelli), Awake My Soul: The Story of the Sacred Harp, Buster Keaton’s Steamboat Bill, Jr. with Rick Friend, Annika Hope, Josephine Knight, Deborah Workman, Patrick Messina, Savannah Music Festival Mass Choir with James Bignon, Wesleyan Gospel Choir, The Boston Camerata, Randall Williams, Dr. Ron Byrnside, Huxsie Scott, Tina Zenker Williams, Daniel Hope, Benny Kim, Kristian Bezuidenhout, Philip Dukes, Peter Kolkay, Timothy Jones, CarlaMaria Rodrigues, Zuill Bailey, Glenn Fischbach, Uncle Earl, Savannah State University Choir, Harry O’Donoghue, Savannah Arts Academy Chorale, Philippe Entremont and Sebastian Knauer, Savannah Music Festival High School Honors Jazz Band
2007 Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Dianne Reeves, Susan Tedeschi, Borodin Quartet, Leahy, Anoushka Shankar, John Pizzarelli and the New York All Star Big Band, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Ivan Moravec, Plena Libre, William Devan, Edie Hockspeier, Parris Island Marine Band, Tamboricua, Flook, David Finckel and Wu Han, Musica Angelica, Jerry Douglas Band, Isabel Bayrakdarian, Beaux Arts Trio, Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie, Wiener Akademie Baroque Orchestra, Noche Flamenca with Soledad Barrio, Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives, Porter-Batiste-Stoltz, Pacifica Chorale’s John Alexander Singers, Randall Bramblett Band, Shawn Mullins, Bernice Johnson Reagon, Morris Robinson, Mark Padmore, Piano Showdown 2007 (Bob Baldori, Bob Seeley, Marcus Roberts, Terry Waldo), Anne Acker, Le Jazz Hot (John Jorgenson Quintet, Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, Wycliffe Gordon, Ken Peplowski, James Chirillo, Greg Cohen, Chuck Riggs), Swing
NEKO CASE
“ Georgia’s largest music festival, this mega-event presents more than 100 concerts over 17 days, all in the historic district of Savannah.” –LOS ANGELES TIMES 2006 Emmylou Harris, Living Legends of the Blues (Pinetop Perkins, Nappy Brown, "Steady Rollin'" Bob Margolin, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Mookie Brill), Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra with Andre Watts, Lunasa, Larry Keel and Natural Bridge, Emerson String Quartet, The Codetalkers, The New York Collegium, Del McCoury Band, Katiana and Marielle Labeque, The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra (with Buster Keaton's "The General"), The Biscuit Burners, Les Ballet Africains, Brazilian Duets with Mike Marshall and Hamilton de Holanda, Peru Negro, Derek Tricks Band, Oteil and the Peacemakers, Timothy Hall, Rebirth Brass Band, Sam Bush, Edgar Meyer, Piano Showdown (Bob Seeley, Mark Braun, John Cocuzzi and Bob Page), Walter "Wolfman" Washington and the Roadmasters, Kristin Gustafson, Gabor Boldoczki, Matthew Vaughn, Jonathan Moore, Hans-Kristian Kjos Sorensen, James Richardson, Savannah Choral Society, David Russell, Perfecting Praise Chorale, Daniel Hope, Benny Kim, Yuval Gotlibovich, Michael Tree, Annika Hope, Philip Dukes, Zuill Bailey, Sebastian Knauer, Elisabeth Howard, Kathryn Van Eck and Family, Bottles.N.Cans, Sister Barbara McCoy and Members of the First Christian Community Church Choir, Metta Quintet, Brian Taylor, Tim Jones, Patrick Messina, Peter Kolkay, Armstrong Atlantic University Chorus, Ben Tucker, Marcus Roberts Trio with Wycliffe Gordon, Jeff Lewis, Terrence Simien and the Zydeco Experience, Pablo Ziegler Quartet with Dave Samuels, Jacqueline Schwab, Bill Charlap Trio with Slide Hampton and Frank Wess, The Campbell Brothers, The Sweet Singing Harmony Harmoneers, Kenny Carr and the Tigers, Savannah Music Festival Mass Choir with James Bignon
Patrick Messina, Benno Schollum, Hans-Kristian Sorenson, Philip Dukes, Ina Zdorovetchi, Adrianna Zukerman, Mark Gainer, Savannah Music Festival Chamber Orchestra
2004 Beaux Arts Trio, Frederica Von Stade, Mingo Saldivar y Los Cuatro Espadas, Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Jose Guitierrez, Wayne Shorter Quartet, Toots Thielemans’ Brazilian Project, Marcus Roberts Septet, Derek Trucks Band, Pancho Sanchez, Christopher Taylor, Anton Kuerti, Lewis Nash Septet, Lorenzo Cruz and Marimba Chiapas, David Grisman Quintet, Sebastian Knauer, Daniel Hope, Francois Atlan, Little Freddie King, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-Chas, John Dee Holeman and David Butler, Hubert Sumlin with the Nighthawks, Little Freddie King, Wycliffe Gordon, The Codetalkers with Colonel Bruce Hampton, Dick Hyman Trio, Wess “Warmdaddy” Anderson/ Marcus Printup Quintet featuring Cyrus Chestnut, Anointed Jackson Singers, Hadra des Femmes de Taroudant, Yungchen Lhamo, The Tallis Scholars, The Benedetto Players (Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, Frank Vignola, Martin Taylor, Jimmy Bruno, Roland Guerin, Jason Marsalis), Gene K. Jarvis, Mark K. Williams, James C. Richardson, Edie Hockspeier, Irene Federn, Steven Branyon, Savannah Symphony Players, Kim Polote, John Wesley Wright, Alice Tillotson, Andrew Garland
2003 Blind Boys of Alabama, Cyrus Chestnut, Savannah Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble Corund, Tamas Kocsis, Jiri Barta, Gerre Hancock, Martin Stadtfeld, Tien-Yi and Shih-Yi Chang, Robert Plano, Gilles Vonsattel, Timothy Hall and Friends, Brian J. Taylor, Edie Hockspeier, Tina Zenker Williams, James Richardson, Richard L. Myers, Gene L. Jarvis, Marcus Roberts, Cootie Stark, Essie Mae Brooks, Drink Small, Cool John Ferguson, Artie Dean, Sol Creach, Tim Duffy, Kristina Beaty and Friends, Rosie Ledet, Wycliffe Gordon
2005 Ballet Pro Musica, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Mando Madness (David Grisman, Mike Marshall, Tony Williamson, Sam Bush, Don Stiernberg, Tony Trischka, Todd Phillips, Darol Anger, David Grier) Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Septet, San Francisco Jazz Collective with Joshua Redman, James Moody’s 80th Birthday, The Heath Brothers, Carey and Lurie Bell, Cool John Ferguson, The Magic of Swing Street (Ed Polcer, Barbara Morrison, Wycliffe Gordon, Allan Vache, John Cocuzi, Frank Tate, Joe Ascione, Mark Shane), The Biscuit Burners, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. & the Zydeco Twisters, Buddy Guy, Bob Margolin, Lee Gates, Cootie Stark, Cool John Ferguson, Cudamani, Menahem Pressler, Richard Goode, The Codetalkers with Col. Bruce Hampton, Derek Trucks Band, David Grisman Quintet, Psychograss, Perpetual Groove, Blueground Undergrass with Rev. Jeff Mosier, East Meets West (Daniel Hope, Derek Trucks, Amaan Ali Bangash, Ayaan Ali Bangash, Gaurav Mazumadar, Sandeep Das), Cyrus Chestnut, Ardie Dean, Hansel Creech, U.S. Army Ground Forces Band, Kristian Bezuidenhout, Glenn Fischbach, Annika Hope, Benny Kim, Sebastian Knauer, Josephine Knight, Gro Lovdahl, Jaime Martin,
“ ...a full spectrum of sounds - from country to classical.” –CHICAGO TRIBUNE Impact and Statistics Audience numbers have been climbing steadily since 2003 (then approx. 22,000), reaching well over 60,000 in 2008. Economic impact reached more than $15 million in visitor spending in 2008, accounting for a large portion of the overall impact generated by arts and cultural activities in the City of Savannah. SMF’s 2008 economic impact also accounted for more than $1 million in local tax revenues. Education outreach programs provided free supplemental arts education for more than 20,000 students in 2008, up from 2,300 in 2003. New Multimedia Projects LIVE CDs: SMF is producing three live CD compilations, made possible with support from the Georgia Department of Economic Development. The first is available now, and features tracks from Mando Madness, Piano Showdown, Le Jazz Hot, and other original productions from past festivals. SMF LIVE on public radio: Hosted by director Rob Gibson, SMF is currently producing a radio series featuring highlights from its diverse recording archives. Currently broadcast on the GPB radio network, the programs can also be streamed online at www.savannahmusicfestival.org/radio Partners SMF regularly partners with community organizations at the city and state level, including the City of Savannah, Department of Cultural Affairs, Telfair Museum of Art, Georgia Historical Society, Georgia Museum of Art, Savannah Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Savannah College of Art & Design, Coastal Jazz Association, Georgia Music Hall of Fame, Savannah Tour of Homes and Gardens, Savannah Economic Development Authority, a cross-section of the city's houses of worship, shopping district merchants and many other music and community-focused organizations and groups.
ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WITH ROBERT SPANO
JEFF CLAYTON
“ In terms of programming, marketing and direct outreach, the SMF has for years now made one good move after another to diversify the audiences and expand the festival. Clearly, such efforts are paying off.� -SAVANNAH MORNING NEWS Media Services Downloads of high-resolution photos, along with other 2009 artist materials are available online at www.savannahmusicfestival.org/press USERNAME: press PASSWORD: savh2008 Media tours. Through various community partnerships, SMF can put together a variety of activities centered around the festival and the cultural offerings of our city. Multimedia: visit our website at www.savannahmusicfestival. org to preview audio/video of artists, listen to podcasts, view our 2009 promotional video and obtain date/time, venue and ticket information. CONTACT: Ryan McMaken at 912.234.3378 x104 or ryan@savannahmusicfestival.org Mission Statement The Savannah Music Festival (SMF) is dedicated to presenting a world-class celebration of the musical arts by creating timeless and adventurous productions that stimulate arts education, foster economic growth, and unite artists and audiences in Savannah. For nearly three weeks in late March and early April, the SMF produces over 100 programs for adults and children in theatres, schools and historic and intimate venues. Featuring an array of musical performances that includes dance, film and narrative programs, more than 400 classical, jazz, blues, bluegrass, and international artists make SMF a distinctive destination event and one of the highlights of springtime in Savannah.
March 19 - April 5, 2009 | savannahmusicfestival.org