One of Modern Jazz’s biggest innovators, Jazz Flutist Sherry Winston Headlines Chestertown Jazz Festival on September 6
Sherry Winston mesmerized the audience at the Montpelier Arts Center in Laurel, Maryland on April 14th as she did in 1998 at one of the earlier Chestertown Jazz Festivals. The much admired instrumentalist will return on September 6th as the headliner for the festival.
She has performed in many of the country’s major concert halls including the Kennedy Center & Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., and Lincoln Center & Carnegie Hall in NYC. She’s performed at the WHITE HOUSE for President & Mrs. Clinton as well as Geroge H. W. Bush.
She has performed with Stevie Wonder, Grover Washington Jr.,Saxophonist Najee, Guitarist, Norman Brown, Keyboard Wizard Bobby Lyle, Vocalist Jon Lucien, as well as Quincy Jones. Sherry is a multi-Grammy nominee, an educator and performer with a smooth delicate balance. Her performance with her quintet will take place in the middle of the fun filled Saturday.
As done for the past two years, the festival will be opened by the famous Kent County One Hundred Voice Choir.
The array of other performers includes the delightful voice of Lena Seikaly from Washington, Gregor Huebner, The Todd Marcus Orchestra, and The Bratcher Project led by Vaughn Bratcher.
In D.C., Maryland and Virginia Lena is known for her luscious way with harmonies. She’s known for exploring and reviving older tunes from the 20’s and 30’s which she does effortlessly on her recent CD, Looking Back. You’ll be amazed with her scat breaks.
Bass clarinetist, composer and bandleader, Todd Marcus is one of the few jazz artists worldwide to focus exclusively on the use of the bass clarinet. Todd leads the orchestra comprised of six horns, piano, bass and drums. Todd combines straight ahead jazz with classical influences and more recently has explored and included Middle Eastern sounds.
The Bratcher Project was conceived and started by its leader, Vaughn Bratcher. He ingeniously assembled a ‘rotating group of talented musicians to perform several genres of music, leaning slightly outside of the mainstream. The project intertwines traditional and contemporary Jazz and R & B stylings.
Our final musician for the festival is Mr. Gregor Huebner who is a German Violinist who has made his home in Harlem NYC. He grew up with Gypsy music and has successfully begun composing and playing Cuban and Brazilian jazz violin with the classical Charanga band. His latest album is ‘El Violin Latino.’
Wilmer Park will open at 11:00 am. Again there will be the tent adjacent to the river and plenty of open space for lounge chairs and blankets. Local food vendors will offer, crab cakes, fried fish sandwiches, chicken, ribs and more. Cascia Winery from Kent Island will sell both Red and White varieties of wine and of course there will be a beer truck.
This year represents the third year the producer, Dr. Mel Rapelyea has had the good fortune of producing the event with The Garfield Center for The Arts. The past two years have proven successful by bringing back, “a fantastic music event in one of the best venues one could hope for.” Both years, the park was full of jazz enthusiasts. Area yachting clubs are again renting the slips in the nearby marina and making a full weekend out of their journey to historic Chestertown.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.garfieldcenter.org or by calling 410-810-2060. Advance ticket price is $20. The payment at the gate is $25. Students with an ID pay $15 and children under 12 are free. Don’t forget to look up the Jazz Festival on Facebook.
Listen for interviews, updates and samples on WPFW in Washington, D.C. and WEAA in Baltimore.
Organizers remind you to bring chairs and umbrellas as it’s a rain or shine event. Please leave your pets at home.
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