STAMFORD DOWNTOWN ANNOUNCES LINE UP FOR JAZZ UP JULY 2012

 Jazz Up July, FOUR performances

Columbus Park, Stamford, CT

Wednesdays, July 11, 18, 25 and August 1, 2012

 Stamford Town Center presents Jazz Up July in partnership with Purdue Pharma on the Heineken Light Stage, a four week long series beginning July 11 in Columbus Park at 6:30 pm.  Admission is free weeks 1 -3

$10 Festival Fee on August 1.

July 11 JOHN PIZZARELLI John Pizzarelli, the world-renowned jazz guitarist and singer, started playing the guitar at age six, and has had a multi-faceted career as a jazz guitarist, vocalist and bandleader. John, called “madly creative” by the Los Angeles Times, has established himself as one of the prime interpreters of the great American songbook and beyond, bringing to his work the cool jazz flavor of his brilliant guitar playing and singing. John’s latest album, Double Exposure, is a collection of tunes by some of the great pop songwriters of his own generation that are framed squarely within traditional jazz arrangements. www.johnpizzarelli.com Young Artists Summer Jazz Workshop ‘12 All-Stars celebrates its 20th anniversary season as the tri-state's pre-eminent and longest-running summer jazz program for student jazz musicians from middle school through college. Staffed by a stellar faculty of jazz performers/educators led by co-founders John Mastroianni and Joyce DiCamillo, the workshop focuses on improvisation, theory, arranging, lessons, and master classes with guest recording artists, a music business seminar, and a final concert. http://www.syap.org/ July 18 PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND The Preservation Hall Jazz Band derives its name from Preservation Hall, the esteemed music venue located in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter. Founded in 1961, the band has traveled worldwide spreading its mission to nurture and perpetuate the art form of New Orleans Jazz. Whether performing at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center for British royalty or the King of Thailand, this music embodies a joyful, timeless spirit. The current director, Ben Jaffe, is the son of Preservation Hall Founders Allan and Sandra Jaffe. www.preservationhall.com Brother Joscephus and the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra The 12-piece Brooklyn based band blends New Orleans party music, old school soul in the style of Ray Charles and Al Green, a good helping of jam-bandy Roots Rock and a splash of feel-good upbeat gospel music. When you combine the music with a one-of-a-kind, high-energy stage spectacle, you got yourself one heck of a revolution on your hands. http://www.brotherjoscephus.com/ July 25 SPYRO GYRA Sponsored by HSBC Spyro Gyra is an American jazz fusion band that was originally formed in the mid 1970s in Buffalo, New York. With over 25 albums released and 10 million copies sold, the band is among the most prolific as well as commercially successful groups of the genre. Among its most successful hit singles are "Shaker Song" and "Morning Dance," which receives significant play on popular music radio stations, and are frequently heard on jazz and easy listening stations. 2012 marks thirty-five years since its first album release. Spyro Gyra shows little sign of wanting to slow down, gaining Grammy nominations for each of its last four albums. www.spyrogyra.com Richard “Cookie” Thomas & Friends A versatile vocalist and undiscovered treasure, Richard “Cookie” Thomas’ career began in Philadelphia in 1960 when he had the opportunity, at fourteen, to open for B.B. King. Cookie, a Stamford resident known for his smooth voice, is not only a singer; he is also a voice-over artist, vocal coach and actor. http://www.cookiethomas.com/ AUGUST 1 AL JARREAU Over the course of Al Jarreau’s remarkable, five decade-plus career, he has become one of the most universally popular artists and has one of the music world’s most uniquely eclectic voices.  Al is only the second artist—Michael Jackson was the first—to win Grammy Awards in jazz, pop, and R & B categories.  Overall he has won seven Grammy Awards. www.aljarreau.com   TIZER Lao Tizer began his career during his high school years in his hometown of Boulder, Colorado and self-produced and released his first three solo keyboard recordings by the age of seventeen. Today, Lao, a keyboardist and recording artist performs with his all-star quartet, TIZER, captivating audiences of all ages and musical tastes. www.laotizer.com

  

 Free Admission Weeks 1 – 3, $10 fee to attend the August 1 Jazz Up July starring Al Jarreau.

Children aged 12 and under are free.  Single main entrance with multiple entry portals located on Main Street just east of Clark and Lower Summer Streets.

Rain Venue – Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic Street

Stamford Town Center presents Jazz Up July in partnership with Purdue Pharma on the Heineken Light Stage. 

The event is produced by the Stamford Downtown Special Services District and the City of Stamford.

Additional sponsors include The Advocate, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, BevMax, Crystal Rock, Happyhaha

Photography, Hilton Stamford, Hotel Zero Degrees, Sheraton Stamford Hotel, Simply Signs, Stamford

Center for the Arts, Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa, Stamford Moffly Media and WEBE 108