JANUARY 18 – 21, 2018 / GAILLARD CENTER AND CHARLESTON MUSIC HALL
CHARLESTON, SC – AUGUST 30, 2017 – The fourth annual Charleston Jazz Festival announces its headliner artists for 2018. Grammy Award winning saxophonist, Kenny G, will perform at the Gaillard Center on January 20, 2018. Six-time Grammy Award nominee and vocalist Nnenna Freelon will join the Charleston Jazz Orchestra to perform ONE STANDARD TIME: The Great American Songbook at the Charleston Music Hall on January 18, 2018.
In a recording career that spans almost three decades and 23 albums, Kenny G has grafted elements of R&B, Pop and Latin to a jazz foundation solidifying his reputation as a premiere artist in contemporary jazz. Since the early ‘80s, his combination of unparalleled instrumental chops and indelible melodies has resulted in sales of more than 75 million records worldwide (45 million in the US alone) and more than a dozen climbs to the top of Billboard’s contemporary jazz chart. Kenny G has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the business during his legendary career, ranging from Michael Bolton and Whitney Houston to Katy Perry. In 2015, he released his fourteenth studio album, Brazilian Nights, on Concord Records. The album pays tribute to the ‘masters’ of Bossa Nova and was inspired by Cannonball Adderley’s bossa nova recordings, Paul Desmond, and Stan Getz.
Nnenna Freelon and the Charleston Jazz Orchestra led by Charlton Singleton will kick-off the 4th Annual Charleston Jazz Festival with a performance entitled NEW STANDARD TIME: The Great American Songbook. Nnenna has earned a reputation as a compelling and captivating live performer. In 2014, she starred in the critically acclaimed show “Georgia on My Mind: Celebrating the Music of Ray Charles” at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. Nnenna is no stranger to the music of Ray Charles as she toured with him, as well as many other great jazz artists including Ellis Marsalis, Al Jarreau, George Benson, and others.
Tickets are on sale now at www.charlestonjazz.com. Proceeds from ticket sales help create scholarships for the new Charleston Jazz Academy, which is part of Charleston Jazz, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
“With the 4th Annual Charleston Jazz Festival headliners, Charleston is officially one of the great jazz festivals in the country today,” said Steve Simon, Chairman of the Festival. “The iconic Kenny G and Nnenna Freelon, one of today’s top jazz female vocalists are going to make this year’s festival another great sold out Lowcountry event.”
“Our festival will offer something for every type of jazz lover and showcase the talents of over 100 jazz artists,” said Mary Beth Natarajan, Executive Director at Charleston Jazz. “We plan to make Charleston a true destination city for great jazz.” Additional performers and venues will be announced over the next few weeks.
About the Charleston Jazz Festival:
Established in 2014, the Charleston Jazz Festival is a 4-day festival dedicated to presenting a world-class celebration of jazz by creating timeless and creative productions that entertain audiences, stimulate arts education, foster economic growth and unite artists and audiences in Charleston. The 4th Annual Charleston Jazz Festival will take over downtown Charleston from January 18 – 21, 2018 with performances by world known jazz musicians. From legends of jazz to emerging artists, to Charleston’s most celebrated home-grown talent, artists of the Charleston Jazz Festival perform a wide range of styles including Swing, Salsa, Blues, Brazilian, the American Songbook and draw thousands of jazz lovers to the Holy City.
About Charleston Jazz:
Charleston Jazz is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote musical awareness and education including the recognition and preservation of the history of jazz in the Lowcountry through performances, special events and educational outreach. Established in 2008 as Jazz Artists of Charleston, the organization has earned a reputation for presenting, producing and advocating for all things jazz and the artists who bring this music to life in dynamic ways. The organization manages the Charleston Jazz Orchestra, the Charleston Jazz Festival and the Charleston Jazz Academy.
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