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June 27, 2006
STAR-STUDDED, & DIVERSE LINE-UP ANNOUNCED FOR LABOR DAY
Here is the lates press release from Jazz Aspen Snowmass:
Jazz Aspen Snowmass, presented by Calamos Investments, has a well-earned reputation for a diverse and eclectic booking policy, but the 2006 Snowmass series, running Labor Day Weekend from September 1st to 4th in Snowmass Town Park, Snowmass Village - is as eclectic as you can get, covering pretty much the full span of American music.
Friday kicks off with country diva LeAnn Rimes, with the gifted blues vocalist/guitarist Susan Tedeschi opening. Today's leading hip hop artist, Kanye West, headlines Saturday night, with sacred steel player Robert Randolph and the Family Band opening, and astounding newcomer Raul Midon in the afternoon. Sunday sees another incredible mix: John Mellencamp headlining, the incredible Los Lonely Boys opening, with Del Castillo in the afternoon. Finally, the Hasidic reggae/rapper Matisyahu, with the extraordinary one-man-band Keller Williams opening, brings the series to a close on Monday.
Festival producer Jim Horowitz enthused, "We feel quite strongly that this may be the best Labor Day weekend line-up we have ever put together. This on the heels of resounding success of Sonoma Jazz + and the just completed Diana Krall and Elvis Costello weekend in Aspen. What a summer!"
LeAnn Rimes has been a household name in country music since the age of 13, when she won Grammys for Best New Artist and Best Female Country Vocal ("Blue"). Her succeeding albums only solidified her reputation, and the current This Woman is a major statement.
Susan Tedeschi is a guitarist, singer and songwriter whose R & B and gospel-infused blues have established her as one of the outstanding young voices on the scene. A Berklee College graduate, her recent Hope and Desire CD is stellar.
Kanye West is among today's leading rappers, delivering smart, funny lyrics on top of headsnapping samples and drumbeats. After years of producing hits for people like Jay-Z., in 2004 he put out "Through the Wire" and "Slow Jamz" and had the rare distinction of having two hits saturating the radio/video airwaves at once. The result was 10 Grammy nominations in 2005 and an Album of the Year Grammy in 2006 for his second solo album, Late Registration.
Robert Randolph learned to play the pedal steel guitar at his childhood Pentecostal Church in Newark, New Jersey. The infusion of blues, gospel, and country sounds has stirred interest ever since he started playing in secular venues. His album with Medeski, Martin & Wood, The Word, introduced him to a wider world, and his tours with the Family Band have made him crowd favorites.
Raul Midon combines a smooth voice with passionate acoustic guitar playing that blends rock, classical, and flamenco stylings. His debut album, State of Mind, includes guest appearances by Stevie Wonder, with whom he is often compared, and Jason Mraz.
John Mellencamp has had plenty of hits - "Jack and Diane," "Hurts So Good" - but far more important, he has created a folk/rock, fiddle-based sound that is absolutely distinctive. Over the past years he has become the voice of his place, the Midwest, and his time, the Baby Boomer generation.
Los Lonely Boys are in fact the three Garza brothers (guitarist Henry, bassist JoJo, and drummer Ringo) from Texas who grew up backing their father, a noted conjunto player. Eventually these roots rockers formed their own band and recorded their debut album with Willie Nelson, Los Lonely Boys, winning a Grammy and national attention.
Del Castillo is a Texas-based Latin rock band that fuses old world "Gitano" with current rock elements to create something quite distinct. Their CD Vida took the influential South by Southwest music conference (SXSW) by storm.
Matisyahu is an orthodox Hasidic Jew who raps about traditional Judaism over reggae beats. His over-the-top performances, including stage diving, have persuaded the cynical - and audiences everywhere - of his sincerity and his talent.
Keller Williams is, quite literally, a one-man jam band, utilizing self-created sound loops on bass and percussion instruments to back his acoustic and electric guitar playing and vocals. He has won the hearts of jam band fans everywhere.
Tickets , priced from $40 - $55 Gen. Admission, will go on sale to the public on Monday, June 26 by walk-in at the Wheeler Opera House, by telephone at 866 527 8499, or on-line at www.jazzaspen.org For information on patron tickets please contact the JAS office at 970 920 4996.
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Book your vacation package for the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Festival
Posted by jmidthun at June 27, 2006 01:44 PM
