Savannah Music Festival

Savannah Music Festival: Lionel Loueke Ensemble

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Airs Thursday, May 23 at 8 p.m. Tucked between Togo to the west and Nigeria on the east, the West African nation of Benin is one of the smallest on the continent, yet it has produced one of Africa's finest contemporary musicians. During the Spring of 2011, we premiered a special production featuring guitarist Lionel Loueke in a seven-piece ensemble under the direction of Robert Sadin. Working together, Sadin and Loueke crafted an extraordinary hour-long set built around original compositions and an array of stunning instrumentalists: Sadin conducted cellist Vincent Segal, violinist Mark Feldman, multi-reed and wind player Charles Pillow, along with Walter Blanding on bass clarinet, percussionists Cyro Baptista and Thioko Diagne, while Loueke sang and played guitar.

Savannah Music Festival: Bill Charlap Trio with Houston Person

Fri, 17 May 2013 01:00:00 +0000

Airs Thursday, May 16 at 8 p.m. There have been many outstanding piano trios throughout the history of jazz, each with its own signature sound. There is the majestic swing of the Oscar Peterson Trio, the classy bop of the Hank Jones Trio, the great independence of the Bill Evans Trio, and the powerful virtuosity of Bud Powell's trios. Each great jazz piano trio brought something slightly different into the fold, combining swing, group interaction, and musical dynamics in unique ways. In this episode, we listen to one of the finest contemporary jazz piano trios, the Bill Charlap Trio, in concert at the 2011 Savannah Music Festival with special guest Houston Person. Part two of two.

Savannah Music Festival: Bela Fleck Africa Project, Episode Two

Fri, 10 May 2013 01:00:00 +0000

Airs Thursday, May 3 at 8:00 p.m. Part Two of Two: Banjoist Bela Fleck performs alongside exceptional African musicians such as Toumani Diabate, Vusi Mahlasela, D'Gary, Anania Ngoliga and others. Recorded at the Trustees Theater during the Savannah Music Festival. Bela Fleck is often considered the premier banjo player in the world. While he is probably best known for his group The Flecktones, his musical projects have included straight-ahead and progressive bluegrass, as well as collaborations with jazz pianist Chick Corea, bass virtuoso Edgar Meyer, and Indian tabla master Zakir Hussain, among others.

Savannah Music Festival: Bela Fleck Africa Project Part One

Fri, 03 May 2013 01:00:00 +0000

Airs Thursday, May 2 at 8:00 p.m. Part One of Two: Banjoist Bela Fleck performs alongside exceptional African musicians such as Toumani Diabate, Vusi Mahlasela, D'Gary, Anania Ngoliga and others. Recorded at the Trustees Theater during the Savannah Music Festival. Though the banjo is commonly associated with American musical styles such as country, folk and bluegrass, the stringed instrument was actually adapted from several African musicians before it developed into the modern banjo during the 20th century. One of the most renowned banjoists in the world today is Bela Fleck, who in early 2005, embarked on a trip to Africa in which he collaborated musically with some of the top musicians there. Four years later he assembled some of his favorite musicians from across the African continent and brought them over for a short tour in the United States. During this two-hour program we listen to performances by Toumani Diabate, Vusi Mahlasela, D'Gary, and Anania Ngoliga with their musical partners, and with Bela Fleck and fiddler Casey Driessen.

Savannah Music Festival: Ike Stubblefield with Printup & Gordon

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 01:00:00 +0000

Airs Thursday, April 25 at 8 p.m. The sound of the Hammond B3 organ with a Leslie speaker evolved in mid 20th century America through a range of music genre's that included blues, rock, gospel and most notably, jazz. Many of the finest players on the instrument were jazz musicians and the trail they blazed is still being traveled today. During this hour we'll hear from one of today's masters, Ike Stubblefield, whose original sound on the instrument reflects not only his love for jazz but also the influence of the church, R&B, and his years play with Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. He'll be joined for this concert by his trio and Marcus Printup on Trumpet and Wycliff Gordon on Trombone.