Tuscia In Jazz 2009 Festival

Tuscia In Jazz 2009 Goes International

From July 18 through August 2, 2009, in the Viterbo region of Italy (about 43 miles from Rome), the countryside town of Soriano nel Cimino will host the 8th edition of the Tuscia in Jazz Festival.

For the past seven years, Tuscia in Jazz has been considered one of the most important international jazz festivals, as well as an important vehicle to promote the beautiful region with its Etruscan roots, Roman history, medieval hill towns and unspoiled lakes and forests. Tuscia in Jazz has extended its branches significantly: with a record label to release recordings of its unique live performances, by adding workshops with world-renown pianist Kenny Barron and rising-star drummer Francisco Mela, and incorporating the annual "Jimmy Woode Award" for bass playing.

The festival has been strongly supported by the local administration of Soriano and it now returns to the squares of the centro storico and thanks to their continued support, all the concerts are free.

The Tuscia in Jazz Festival has integrated within it the "Jimmy Woode Award". Jazz bassist Jimmy Woode spent his career carving his deep double-bass sound into recordings by Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespe, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Lionel Hampton. The "Jimmy Woode Award" for bass playing is an integral part of the festival proceedings at Tuscia in Jazz. In the summer of 2005, shortly after his passing, Woode's daughter Shawnn Monteiro, along with the director of the festival Italo Leali, held a personal ceremony in his memory at the festival. It was at that moment they decided to create a scholarship award for young, talented musicians, starting with the 2006 Tuscia in Jazz Festival, and through which the memory of one of the greatest bass players of our century, his music and his family would be honored and carried on. Groups from Italy competed alongside bands from Germany, Holland, England, France, Croatia, Serbia, Belgium, the UK and the USA. Since its inception, it has grown just as much as the festival itself: from a Euro-centric showdown to a global tournament.

The 'Tuscia in Jazz Masterclass' workshops provide an opportunity for young musicians to learn from the masters. This year's teachers-in-residence include: Kenny Barron, Ray Mantilla, Flavio Boltro, Francisco Mela, Bobby Watson, Eddie Gomez, Edy Martinez, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Amana Melome', Dado Moroni, Shawnn Monteiro, Karl Potter, Tony Monaco, Giorgio Rosciglione and Gege Munari.

Also featured at the festival, the 'Tuscia in Jazz Jam Sessions,' incredible jam sessions open to all who turn up anytime during the festival hours at the lovely Tavern Papacqua di Soriano nel Cimino. Unexpected and unplanned appearances by top international players have made this a festival within the festival, and not to be missed.

However, the festival highlight is the 'Notte in Jazz,' which made its premier at the 2007 festival. Named after the Italian tradition of a 'Notte Bianca,' (a white or sleepless night); this jazz version will feature 35 concerts, spread across various stages in the town's medieval square. Shops, market stalls, and other entertainment will also be open, coordinated by the traders and associations of Soriano nel Cimino, the Proloco, and the Commune. Soriano, a town with a rich and ongoing tradition of ancient sacred processions, stages the famous sagra della castagna every Autumn. The opening of the 'Notte in Jazz' will be trusted to the members of the ancient organization responsible for the sagra.

Aside from the townspeople, who volunteer their time and energy, a number of sponsors have lent their financial support to keep every performance at Tuscia in Jazz free. Special thanks to local sponsors Ministero dei Bene Culturali Regione Lazio, Fondazione Carivit, Provincia di Viterbo, and Camera di Commercio e Comunità Montana dei Cimini, and international sponsors MSC Crociere, Warsteiner Beer, and finance organizations like Carivit.

In addition to its nightly recurring events: the trials of the "Jimmy Woode Award," open jam sessions, and performances by Massimo Lattanzi; Tuscia in Jazz will feature:

July 18
Philadelphia Jazz Orchestra
Flavio Boltro and The Tuscia in Jazz New Generation

July 19
Philadelphia Jazz Orchestra

July 20
Bradley Jazz Ensemble

July 26
Tuscia in Jazz All Stars

July 27
Dado Moroni, Flavio Boltro, Giorgio Rosciglione, & Gege Munari

July 28
Ray Mantilla 75th Anniversary

July 29
Kurt Rosenwinkel, Eddy Gomez, & Francisco Mela

July 30
Kenny Barron Trio

July 31
Bobby Watson Night

August 1
Soul Passion - Shawnn Monteiro, Tony Monaco & Amana Melomè

August 2
Open Stage Night

We hope to see you in Tuscia!

www.tusciainjazz.it

For more information contact:
Don Lucoff / DL Media
Don@jazzpublicity.com (e) / 610 667 0501 (p)
www.jazzpublicity.com