Tanglewood Jazz Festival 2008
A Berkshire Labor Day Tradition
By: Charles Giuliano - Aug 25, 2008
In its relatively brief history the season ending, Labor Day Weekend, Tanglewood Jazz Festival has become as much a Berkshire tradition as James Taylor and Fireworks on the Fourth of July. These are the musical bookends for the venerable summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
The performances which start on Friday evening and end on Sunday evening are held in Ozawa Hall. The end of the intimately scaled concert hall opens up onto a sloping hill where those with the very affordable lawn seats, just $17, have a view of the stage. As well as an opportunity to stretch out and share a picnic. The great advantage is that food and drink are not permitted in Ozawa Hall. There is nothing like a glass or two of fine wine and some barbecued chicken to mellow out and hear some sounds.
As has been the case all summer weather is a factor. Let us hope that the rain clouds which have hovered over the Berkshires have packed up and moved back to the city.
This is an all too rare opportunity to hear jazz in the Berkshires. It tends to bring out all the cats and hipsters for a groove under the stars. While smaller in scale it recalls some of the vibes of the days of the former Newport Jazz Festival.
There are several concerts to select from. A run down and tickets prices are detailed below. In particular the 90th birthday celebration of Marian McPartland and her live NPR broadcast promises to be particularly enticing. It will include the emerging singer/ songwriter, Spencer Day. Recently I have been catching up with some of his CDs and will take pleasure in hearing him in the Jazz Tent on Sunday at noon. These are informal cabaret style performances featuring emerging artists. The most anticipated emotional highlight of the weekend long jazz event, on Sunday evening, will be "A Tale of God's Will (A Requiem for Katrina)" performed by Terence Blanchard conducting a 30 piece orchestra.
Schedule
Opening the festival Friday, August 29, at 8 p.m. will be Colombian harpist, Edmar Castaneda, and his trio featuring vibraphonist, Joe Locke. Pianist Elaine Elias will follow performing material from her highly acclaimed CD, "Something For You," a tribute to Bill Evans.
On Saturday, August 30, at 2 p.m., Marian McPartland celebrates her 90th birthday in the seventh annual live taping of "Piano Jazz" for NPR. Ms. McPartland will have several very special guests celebrates her 90th birthday in the seventh annual live taping of "Piano Jazz" for NPR. Joining Marian McPartland will be Nnenna Freelon, Spencer Day, and pianist, Mulgrew Miller.
Saturday, August 30, at 8 p.m., pianist and composer, Donal Fox, will perform his Scarlatti Jazz Suite Project with special guest, trumpeter, Christian Scott. Renowned vocalist Dianne Reeves takes the stage in the second half of the concert.
The Sunday afternoon concert on August 31 will open at 2 p.m. with clarinetist and saxophonist, Eddie Daniels, and his quartet. The concert continues with violinist, Mark O'Connor, with special guest jazz vocalist Jane Monheit in her Tanglewood Jazz Festival debut in a show titled "Hot Swing."
Closing the festival on Sunday, August 31, at 8 p.m. will be a Tanglewood exclusive—a very special concert by trumpeter and composer, Terence Blanchard, with a 30-piece orchestra performing the material from this year's Grammy winning CD,
Tickets for the 2008 Tanglewood are available online at http://www.tanglewood.org and in person at the Tanglewood Box Office. For further information, http://www.tanglewoodjazzfestival.org. The Tanglewood Jazz Festival is sponsored by Cunard and JazzTimes Magazine.
2008 Tanglewood Jazz Festival
Ticket Prices
Friday, August 29, 8 p.m.
The Edmar Castaneda Trio with Special Guest, Joe Locke. Elaine Elias "Something for You" A Tribute to Bill Evans
$41/$48/$59/lawn $17
Saturday, August 30, 2 p.m.
A Celebration of Marian McPartland's 90th Birthday
Live taping for NPR's "Piano Jazz" with special guests.
$31/$38/$49/lawn $18
Saturday, August 30, 8 p.m.
Donal Fox: Scarlatti Jazz Suite Project featuring Christian Scott and Dianne Reeves
$44/$57/$70/lawn $19
Sunday, August 31, 2 p.m.
The Eddie Daniels Quartet Mark O'Connor's "Hot Swing" with special guest Jane Monheit
$31/$38/$49/lawn $18
Sunday, August 31, 8 p.m.
Terence Blanchard's "A Tale of God's Will (A Requiem for Katrina)" with 30 piece orchestra
$44/$48/$59/lawn $17