Red Sea Jazz Fest

[Lois Gilbert]

This year's 19th Red Sea Jazz Festival line-up was announced last week, with its usual mix of big names from the international jazz scene, local artists and world music-oriented acts.

One of the major attractions at next month's festival (August 22-25) is multi-Grammy winner diva Diane Reeves, who last graced the Eilat stage five years ago. Reeves is considered one of the top female jazz vocalists in the world, and should bring in the crowds.

Meanwhile, fusion drummer Billy Cobham will bring his aptly named six-piece Culturemix band. Cobham, whose resume includes collaborations with titans such as Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins and pop-world music innovator Peter Gabriel, last performed in Eilat as anchor to the stellar Art of Four band in 2001.

Possibly the most exciting guest, however, will be veteran trumpeter Tom Harrell, who will front a quintet. Harrell, who has battled psychological problems for many years has, thankfully, returned in full, and was even in the running for a Grammy in 1999.

Meanwhile, stellar trombonist Steve Turre should get festival-goers on their feet with a show devoted to the work of late legendary reedman Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Turre's six-piece band includes pianist Mulgrew Miller and saxman Billy Harper - the latter was the star attraction at the 2003 Jazz, Blues & Videotape Festival in Tel Aviv.

Jewish American saxophonist/bandleader Bob Mintzer, who will front a New York-based quartet, should appeal to wider tastes. Mintzer spends much of his working hours as a member of fusion outfit Yellow Jackets, and also leads his own big bands and other ensembles.

Also, jazz fans looking for improvised sounds with some ethnic seasoning should dig Dave Samuels and the Caribbean Jazz Project. Samuels has played with a wide range of musicians over the past decade, including Cuban-born reedman Paquito D'Rivera (who will be at the Kamelot Club in Herzliya later this week).

The festival's artistic director Danny Gottfreid has certainly gone for a global spread this year, and has included young Japanese pianist Hiromi Uehara and her trio in the line-up. Since relocating to the US in 1999, Hiromi has had quite an impact on the New York jazz scene, marrying straight-ahead jazz with ethnic strains from her native country and electronic input.

The local guest list includes Russian-born saxophonist Boris Gammer with a multicultural jazz sextet, while bass guitarist Aryeh Wolnitz and his Funk Boys band will provide some high-octane entertainment with a mix of funk, soul, chill out and mainstream jazz.

Meanwhile, Eilat veteran pianist/flugelhorn player Adi Rennert will perform an ethnojazz program, supported by percussionist Zohar Fresco and veteran bass player Eli Magen.

All shows will take place in Eilat's port. For further program and ticket information, go to: http://www.redseajazzeilat.com

[drjazz100]

The RedSea Jazz Festival announced that they will have a booth set up to screen potential donors for bone marrow transplants, especially for Michael Brecker.