Stanford Report, June 15, 2005

Stanford Jazz Festival tickets on sale

Tickets are on sale now for the 2005 Stanford Jazz Festival, which will bring more than 100 artists to campus for more than 30 main stage concerts from June 25 to Aug. 6. The public concerts are presented in conjunction with the Stanford Jazz Workshop, which was founded in 1972 and brings performers, jazz teachers and students of all ages to campus for jazz camps, residencies and evening programs.

The festival's opening concert will present "A Jazz Tribute to Ray Charles," featuring saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman, who was a 12-year member of the Ray Charles Band, and jazz and blues vocalist Kim Nalley. As part of "Inside Jazz," a new series of talks to be presented before selected concerts, jazz musician and Bay Area radio show host Sonny Buxton will speak.

Other early festival highlights will include concerts by Hawaiian slack-key guitarist Keola Beamer with pianist Geoffrey Keezer (June 26) and Descarga: Salsa Meets Jazz (July 8). Descarga was an audience favorite in 2004; the concert recalls the Monday night "Descarga" jam sessions at New York City's Village Gate club, where famous jazz soloists dropped in to perform with great Latin rhythm masters.

In another festival favorite, saxophonist and Stanford Jazz Workshop founder Jim Nadel and festival musicians will introduce young audience members to basic jazz concepts and instruments. The jazz primer, "Early Bird Jazz with Jim Nadel and Friends," will be presented during two sessions on July 2.

A full schedule of festival events is available by calling the Jazz Workshop at 736-0324 or online at http://www.stanfordjazz.org. Tickets and discount festival passes can be purchased at the Stanford Ticket Office in Tresidder Union or by calling the ticket office at 725-2787. Tickets also can be ordered online at http://www.ticketweb.com. If available, tickets also will be sold at the door beginning one hour before concerts. The 2005 Stanford Jazz Festival offers half-price tickets for students (with valid ID) and children under the age of 18.