The Jazz Journalists Association
Presents a Panel Discussion on
“The World’s Greatest Jazz Festivals”
Sardella’s Italian Restaurant
30 Memorial Boulevard W, Newport, RI 02840
Friday, August 12th Panel 3-5 PM Cash Bar @ 2:30 Suggested Donation: $5.00
Newport is the birthplace of the "jazz festival" - the presentation of many different performers, often outside, over a concentrated period of time - a concept that now flourishes worldwide. International saxophone star Joe Lovano and world-traveling jazz journalists gather to talk about inspired jazz in exotic settings, and invite stories from the audience, too. Moderated by Eric Jackson, longtime host of "Eric in the Evening” heard on NPR Boston affiliate WGBH 89.7 FM.
Panelists:
Eric Jackson- Moderator- an influential member of the New England Jazz Community, Mr. Jackson broadcasts his long-running jazz program, “Eric In The Evening”, 4 nights a week on the 100,000-watt flagship NPR Boston affiliate WGBH 89.7 FM. A lifelong jazz fan, Eric has traveled to festivals near and far, including Montreal, Marciac, Montreaux, New Orleans, New York, and Newport.
Gwen Calvier is President of Hot House Jazz Magazine New York, a monthly magazine and website (
http://www.hothousejazz.com-updated daily). Originally from Brittany, France, Gwen has attended jazz festivals in Bern and Ascona in Switzerland, Perugia and Orvieto in Italy, and the Caramoor (NY), New Orleans and Chicago Festivals in the US.
Joe Lovano is one of the most vital saxophonists, composers and bandleaders on today’s jazz scene, a Grammy winner and frequent honoree in DownBeat and JazzTimes’ critic’s polls, most recently named “Best Tenor Saxophonist” in the Jazz Journalists Associations 2005 Jazz Awards. Lovano is a tireless educator, recording artist, and performer, has enjoyed creative associations with Hank Jones, Paul Motian, Bill Frisell, Judi Silvano, Michael Brecker, Mel Lewis, and many others. Besides headlining festivals worldwide, Joe Lovano is jazz director of the acclaimed Caramoor Jazz Festival in Westchester, New York.
Fred Taylor is artistic director of the Tanglewood Jazz Festival and entertainment director of Scullers Jazz Club, the former owner/operator of famous Boston clubs Paul’s Mall and The Jazz Workshop. Mr. Taylor did the famous recording “Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond at Storyville” in 1952 and presented Miles Davis’s “comeback” concert in 1981. Fred resides in Boston and has attended many U.S. and World Jazz festivals and is a leading presenter of emerging talent.
John Phillips is the President of Festival Productions, Inc., based in New York City, and has been with the company for more than 25 years where he oversees all aspects of concert presentation and music festival production including sponsorship, contractual work, production, booking of artists, venues, advertising, public relations, finance and administration. Phillips is also the Producer and Executive Producer of the Newport Jazz Festival's annual documentary television series sponsored by JVC which has appeared nationwide on America's Public Broadcasting Service, since 1984.
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John Phillips has worked with many sponsors over the years, most notably as the Executive In Charge of the JVC Jazz Festivals worldwide [New York, Newport, Chicago, Los Angeles, Concord, Miami, Paris, Tokyo, Warsaw and The Netherlands].
John Phillips' early career was as a stage and production manager for various festivals in the United States and Europe; he also managed national and international tours for notable bands including Ray Charles, B.B. King, George Benson, Muddy Waters, Chick Corea, Miles Davis, Stanley Clark and Dave Brubeck.
Bob Blumenthal is a two-time Grammy Winner, the Jazz Journalists Association's "Lifetime Achievement in Jazz Journalism" award winner of 2005 and has been writing about jazz for more than 30 years, with long tenures at the Atlantic Monthly, Boston Globe, Boston Phoenix, Down Beat and Rolling Stone. Blumenthal is critic-in-residence at the Discover Jazz Festival in Burlington, Vermont and created a five-part video jazz history for the Montreal Jazz Festival; he has stories of jazz festivals in places as far off as Uruguay.
Ken Franckling is a contributing writer/photographer for JazzTimes, Jazz Improv, Hot House, AllAboutJazz-New York and other publications. A winner of the ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for Excellence in Music Journalism, and the Jazz Journalists Association's "Photographer of the Year" award in 2003, he has covered jazz widely, from his base in Rhode Island since 1983, and has not missed a Newport Jazz Festival since 1981.
Steve Bianchi is a veteran Rhode Island radio broadcaster of over 25 years. He currently hosts “The Swingin’ Ride Home” on Newport’s own 99.3 Swing FM, WJZS, where he is also programming director. Mr. Bianchi’s Newport Broadcasting goes back to the early 80’s on the lamented jazz station WOTB. A long time fan of jazz, Steve has covered the Newport festival for many years.
About The Jazz Journalists Association:
The Jazz Journalists Association (JJA) is an international group of writers, editors, photographers, broadcasters, filmmakers, educators and media professionals who institute collegial and educational programs for the appreciation, documentation and promulgation of jazz. As of January 2001 the JJA comprises more than 300 members, mostly in the U.S. and Canada, but also in Australia, Europe, Great Britain, Japan, Mexico, Moscow, South Africa and South America.
The goals of the Jazz Journalists Association are to promote high standards and respect for our works, to create a professional network, and to increase general interest in jazz.
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Jpeg photos available
Press and all Inquiries:
Jon Hammond, Panel Producer
bmwjonhammond@yahoo.com
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