Aug. 12, 2008 — St. Croix musicians and the Frederiksted Economic Development Association are finalizing the program for St. Croix Blue Bay Jazz Fest 2008, which revolves around the theme "All that New York Jazz."
Lots of well-established names from the New York jazz scene will join up with St. Croix's own for four and a half days of jamming in November, Eugene "Doc" Petersen of FEDA said Tuesday. Last year's theme was "New Orleans to St. Croix," and featured some of New Orleans' jazz greats.
Rolando Bricen?o, a woodwind specialist who has played saxophone, flute and clarinet with the likes of Tito Puentes, Celia Cruz and others, is slated to headline the first night. Born in Caracas Venezuela, Bricen?o has played on numerous session recordings in the U.S. and Venezuela, taught music in several New York colleges and schools, played with the Venezuelan Symphony Orchestra and been featured on Caracas radio and television.
Jazz and blues guitarist and singer James "Blood" Ulmer headlines day two. Ulmer cut his teeth playing with various soul-jazz ensembles, and cut his first record in 1969. Since moving to New York in 1971, Ulmer has played with Art Blakey, Rashied Ali and many others, often within the format of ensemble jazz, but also branching out in a direction influenced by Mississippi Delta blues greats like Skip James and Albert Aylor. The Rashied Ali Quintet is also coming, and is scheduled the same night as Ulmer. An admirer of Art Blakey, Ali is credited with developing the style known as "free jazz" drumming, cutting the drummer free from keeping tempo for the rest of the band.
Tito Puente Jr., following in the footsteps of his famous father, is headlining next, and the Pete Escovedo Orchestra the next and last full day of the festival. A percussionist, Escovedo has toured worldwide with his own Escovedo Brothers Latin Jazz Band and its offshoot, the band Azteca; toured and performed with the Carlos Santana band; toured with the Temptations and Stevie Wonder; and has played on countless session recordings with dozens of famed musicians, from Stephen Stills to Prince.
V.I. jazz musicians will open each night, including The Eddie Russell Quelbe Latin Jazz Band, the V.I. Rhythm Section, Adjoa, Blackness, Hugh "Fuma" Petersen and others.
"Each night we open up with a local group that has supported Sunset Jazz," Petersen said. "We are also going to try to embed our musicians with the visiting bands and are hoping to have quite a few jam sessions in local establishments. We want to encourage local establishments to stay open late, after the main show."
Bringing in these musicians is a great opportunity for local musicians, Petersen said.
"This is a chance to expose local musicians to the visiting musicians, learn a little something and maybe teach a little something," he said.
By building up a schedule of regular music festivals, Petersen hopes to make the big island a destination for music.
"It is my personal desire to make St. Croix a music mecca, at the least within the mid-Caribbean," Petersen said.
The show is still some time off, scheduled for Nov. 19-23. So why talk about it now? To get the word out early and often, so there is plenty of advance publicity and wide awareness and to get all plans in place early so everything rolls like clockwork.
Drumming up community support and building up resources for this and future shows is another reason for the early publicity.
"It's a free concert and we want to encourage everyone to come out," Petersen said. "But we are also asking the community to support the show by donating what you can."
If you think this is something valuable for St. Croix, you can call FEDA at 340-773-3332 or send a donation to: Frederiksted Economic Development Association, 69 King St., Frederiksted, St. Croix VI 00840.
For more details, visit frederiksted.org, send an email or call 340-772-0464.
Back Talk Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
