The Count Basie Orchestra, with guests Diane Schuur and New York Voices, will headline the 39th annual Carolina Jazz Festival at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The orchestra will perform Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. in Memorial Hall. For tickets and information, call the Memorial Hall box office at (919) 843-3333 or visit http://www.carolinaperformingarts.org.
William “Count Basie” (1904-1984) started his orchestra in Kansas City in 1935, and proceeded to develop and maintain one of the greatest jazz orchestras in music history. Today, under the leadership of director Scotty Barnhart, The Count Basie Orchestra is traveling the world celebrating its 80th anniversary.
Blinded at birth during a hospital accident, Diane Schuur balances her importance as a dedicated jazz singer with the inclusion of a large dose of pop tunes in her repertoire. Her 1987 release, “Diane Schuur with the Count Basie Orchestra” won a Grammy for best female jazz performance.
For more than 25 years, New York Voices, with deep interests rooted in jazz, Brazilian, R&B, classical and pop, have been known for their inspired arrangements and unparalleled vocal blend.
Many other events throughout the festival are free. The festival will bring in artists-in-residence Mark Whitfield on guitar and Nat Reeves on bass. Performances by UNC groups will also be featured, including the UNC Faculty Jazz Ensemble, UNC Jazz Band, Charanga Carolina and the UNC Jazz Combos.
On Feb. 20, the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Festival, offered in conjunction with Jazz at Lincoln Center, will bring about 300 high school students to campus from across North Carolina as well as Virginia and New Jersey. Trumpet player Pharez Whitted and jazz educator Justin DiCioccio of the Manhattan School of Music will be guest clinicians for the festival.
For a complete festival schedule, visit http://music.unc.edu/jazzfest, or contact the music department in UNC’s College of Arts and Sciences at (919) 962-1039.
