THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 24, 1995 TAG: 9508220141
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 2E EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT MCCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
THIS YEAR'S TOWN Point Jazz Festival - where Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis and Herbie Mann have appeared in the past - will again feature many distinguished artists.
Earl Klugh, The Yellowjackets, and KoKo Taylor and Her Blues Machine will highlight the 13th annual concert Friday through Sunday.
``It's the oldest festival that Festevents produces and the largest free jazz show on the East Coast,'' said Rebecca Bump, Festevents' marketing director. ``For a free concert to get this high-caliber jazz is certainly unique. We've had some tremendous lineups.''
Contemporary and classic jazz will be the main format, with a dose of the blues. Guitarist Klugh, with more than 18 albums to his credit, is known as one of jazz's most prolific artists. The Grammy Award-winning Yellowjackets are touted for their uncompromising jazz fusion. KoKo Taylor is a powerful singer with soul roots and a gritty style.
Wide-ranged vocalist Kevin Mahogany, and Brazilia, a Brazilian jass group, are the other national acts. Regional performers include Against All Odds, The Russell Scarborough Quintet, and the 18-member Roy Muth Big Band.
The three days of nearly nonstop music will be augmented by art. African carvings and clothing, hand-woven hats from Guatemala, and banana leaf designs from Zambia are some of the items. There also will be the ample menu of food and beverages offered at Town Point shows. Beer and wine coolers will be served to those 21 and over with a proper ID. For the kids, The American Jazz Ensemble will present ``Satchmo and the American Dream,'' a musical biography on the life of jazz legend Louis Armstrong.
The event is among Town Point's most popular and is expected to draw approximately 75,000 people. Patrons comprise a casual mix of area jazz fans, local hip-types, families and some tourists. Be prepared to step between islands of blankets and lawn chairs, but no shade-umbrellas, coolers, cameras or recording devices are allowed. The official rain-site is Norfolk Scope.
Part of festival proceeds will benefit the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, Youth Exchange Program, Children's Rights Council, Shriners' Hospitals, and Hampton Roads Rowing Club.
Here is the schedule for the Town Point Jazz Festival.
Friday, Aug. 25
5 p.m. - Festival begins.
5:30-6:30 p.m. - Against All Odds
8:30-10 p.m. - KoKo Taylor and Her Blues Machine
Saturday, Aug. 26
Noon-12:45 p.m. - Russell Scarborough Quintet
2-2:30 p.m. - American Jazz Ensemble, ``Satchmo and the American Dream''
4-5 p.m. - Kevin Mahogany
7-8 p.m. - The Yellowjackets
8:30-10 p.m. - Earl Klugh
Sunday, Aug. 27
Noon-1 p.m. - Roy Muth Big Band
1:30-2:30 p.m. - Roy Muth Big Band
3-4 p.m. - The Yellowjackets
4:30-5:30 p.m. - The Yellowjackets
6 p.m. - Festival ends ILLUSTRATION: Photo
The Yellowjackets will perform at the Town Point Jazz Festival.
by CNB