Williamstown Jazz Festival 2009
The Williamstown Jazz Festival returns to Williams College from Wednesday, April 29 through Wednesday, May 6. From Big Bands, Dance Parties and gospel groups to Quartets and Trios, there is something for everyone who loves jazz. While many events are free, some have moderate ticket prices. Many venues will be hosting festival-related events, including '62 Center, The Clark, MASS MoCA, The Orchards Hotel, Spice Root, St. John’s Church and Café Latino. All events are open to the public.The festival will kick off with the traditional free dance classes taught by Arif Smith and sponsored by the Greylock Federal Credit Union early in the week designed to prepare everyone for the Salsa Dance Party featuring the Nicki Denner Sextet with guest guitarist Freddie Bryant on Friday, May , 8:30 p.m. at MASS MoCA.The festival will feature multiple college ensembles from NY, CT, RI, OH and local MA colleges who will play in the always ambitious Intercollegiate Jazz Festival, this year to be adjudicated by Virginia Mayhew and John Clark on Friday, May 1 from 12 p.m to 4 p.m. and Saturday, May 2 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at '62 Center. Gospel Artist Kevin Sharpe will be performing on Friday, May 1 at 6:30 p.m. at St John's Church and headlining the Festival will be the the Miguel Zenon Quartet on Saturday, May 2 at 8:30 p.m. at '62 Center. On Sunday, May 3 Guitarist, Jason Ennis will bring his quintet to the Gala Restaurant in the Orchards Hotel for brunch (11am-2pm) and saxophonist/flutist Erik Lawrence will host the Artwalk on Sunday, May 3 at 2 p.m. at WCMA. The Vijay Ayer Trio will perform on Wednesday, May 6 at 8 p.m. at The Clark.Other events include the silent film Ben-Hur accompanied by the JC Sanford Octet composed of members of the Central NY Jazz Orchestra with a pre-film lecture by Dr. JC Sanford at '62 Center on Thursday, April 30 at 7 p.m., post concert open jam sessions at Cafe Latino (May 1) and Spice Root (May 2) and a jazz brunch featuring the Jason Ennis Quintet at Gala Restaurant on Sunday, May 3, at 11 a.m. Also, artist Peter Bodge will have a show of his jazz inspired linolem print artwork at Cricket Creek Farm and will be giving a walk-through presentation at 4pm on Sunday May 3.The festival is sponsored by the Williams Dept. of Music, '62 Center, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Berkshire Bank, Gala, Orchards Hotel, Spice Root, St. Johns, The Williams Inn, Berkshire Hills Motel, Banknorth, Café Latino, JAM, MASS MoCA, Williams College Museum of Art, The High Meadow Foundation, The Mohawk Trail Association, and Williamstown Chamber of Commerce.More: http://www.williamstownjazz.com; concert hotline: 413-597-3146.