Homer JazzFest '08

We are pleased to announce the Second annual Homer JazzFest.

Our first year was a resounding success thanks to the inspiration, motivation and passion of Peggy Stern who headlined our main event and concluded the festival with her trio performing across the bay at Jazz in the Cove. Many thanks to Jovino Santos Neto, Estrella Trio, The Alaska Jazz Workshop and Dan McElrath for the fabulous music they provided to make the festival so rich and rewarding.

'08 performances

Thursday, August 28th, 7-9pm Café Cups: Eric Fenger. Wonderful intimate music with great food.

Friday, August 29th, 8pm Fusion: UPBEAT, Swing and Dance Jazz. Enjoy the improvisation, conversation and opportunity to experience the roots of jazz.

Saturday, August 30th, 7pm Mariner Theatre: JAMES TORMÉ and his band. Join us for an evening of the best in vocal Jazz with the son of the late great Mel Torme. Joining James and his great band from LA on stage will be the Homer High School Swing Choir and select members of the HHS Jazz band.

Sunday, August 31, 5-8pm: Jazz in the Cove

'08 featured artists

James Tormé - www.jamestorme.com

Jazz vocalist James Tormé logged more hours on a plane as a child than most of us accumulate in a lifetime. He grew up commuting between the Los Angeles home of his father—3-time Grammy Award winner Mel Tormé—and London, the hometown of his mother, celebrated British actress Janette Scott.
These countless transatlantic crossings provided the future Koch Records recording artist and Chuck Niles Jazz Music Award-winning singer with an invaluable opportunity to begin honing his craft. He spent the long flights absorbing not only his father's music but current pop songs as well.
"My mom bought me Michael Jackson's album Off The Wall when I was 6, and I think it did me in permanently,” James recalls. “On top of that, my father would dub tapes for me of any new music he thought was worth getting into. He introduced me to Earth, Wind & Fire, Steely Dan, and Blood Sweat and Tears and, of course, all the jazz songs from the American Songbook. I honestly see myself as an evolution of him and those influences."
It was also through his father that James was introduced to many of the greatest musicians in jazz history—Duke Ellington, Sammy Davis Jr., Peggy Lee and Buddy Rich, among others. James is now poised to join the ranks of these legendary artists, as he continues to perform with major orchestras worldwide and delight audiences with his unique renditions of older jazz classics infused with the soul and R&B influences of today.
Hugh Hefner, founder of the Playboy Jazz Festival, sums up the feelings of many of James’ fans when he says, “James Tormé is a chip off the old block, and a mighty cool block it is. His daddy would be proud.”

Meet some members of James Tormé’s Award-Winning Band:
Brandon Coleman (Piano)
Pianist Brandon Coleman and James Tormé often liken their artistic partnership to a “musical marriage”…not unlike the working relationship piano legend George Shearing shared with James’ father, Mel Tormé. Other musicians with whom Brandon has collaborated include trumpeter Roy Hargrove, keyboardist David Foster and singers Lauren Hill, Eric Benet, Brian McKnight, Renee Olstead and Toni Braxton, to name but a few. Brandon also starred on the series finale of Curb Your Enthusiasm as a member of R & B singer John Legend’s band.
Gene Coye (Drums)
Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Gene Coye began playing drums in church at age two. He remained a self-taught musician until he attended California Institute of the Arts, where he was mentored by jazz great, Joe La Barbera. While still a student at CalArts, Gene toured throughout the U.S, Europe and Canada with such renowned artists as Carlos Santana, The Salvador Santana Band, Los Lonely Boys, Robert Randolf and the Family Band and Ozomatli. Since that time, the drummer has performed alongside James Tormé with the New West Symphony, toured Mexico with Mars Volta sax player Adrian Terrezas and played with trumpeter Roy Hargrove and bassist Ray Brown.
Ryan Cross (Bass/Cello)
Since graduating from USC with a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies, cellist and bass player Ryan Cross has not lacked for gigs. He has performed with an array of artists including legendary performer Stevie Wonder, R&B singer John Legend, guitarist and singer John Mayer, jazz pianist Billy Childs, R&B singer and songwriter Macy Gray, Mystic, Fergie from The Black Eyed Peas, singer Bobby Brown, jazz trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, and trumpeter Maurice Brown. In addition, Ryan and his band, Cross Hart, were recently featured at the Playboy Jazz Festival.
Hollywood has taken note of the young musician as well. Ryan has appeared on such shows as The West Wing, Desperate Housewives, Friends, ER, Girlfriends and Eve. Most recently he starred on the series finale of Curb Your Enthusiasm, joining Tormé Trio band-mate Brandon Coleman to play bass behind John Legend.

workshops

James Tormé, Ryan Cross, Tim Kobza and the rest of the Torme band will be conducting workshops with the Homer High Swing choir, HHS Jazz Band and the Ninilchik High School students. We are pleased to have these great musicians working with the students during Jazzfest week.