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News: WVJO becomes San Jose Jazz Orchestra

wvjologo_w_144New Updates 5/29/09

At the Ernie Watts and WVJO performance on May 15, West Valley Jazz and San Jose Jazz announced a collaboration that will join the resources of the two organizations to provide enhanced performance and education programs to music fans in Silicon Valley. As part of the collaboration, the West Valley Jazz Orchestra will be renamed the San Jose Jazz Orchestra. The orchestra will continue under the leadership of Artistic Director Gus Kambeitz and will operate as one of the programs of San Jose Jazz.

San Jose Jazz is the educational and performance organization behind the large and very successful jazz festival, one of the finest in the country. Joining forces with them greatly expands the audiences and reach of the Orchestra, and helps San Jose Jazz better fulfill its mission to bring the finest performance and education programs to the region.

The San Jose Jazz Orchestra’s next performance will be at the 20th AT&T San Jose Jazz Festival on August 9. That appearance will feature the group performing with jazz saxophone legend, Don Menza.

A  press release was issued on May 28, with details and commentary by SJ Jazz Executive Director Geoff Roach and WVJO/SJJO Artistic Director Gus Kambeitz.

 

May 15: Grammy-winning Saxophonist Ernie Watts with WVJO

Saxophonist Ernie WattsFriday, May 15, 2009 8 pm
Theater on San Pedro Square, 29 N. San Pedro, downtown San Jose
Advance Tickets Online $17, $20 at the door
Produced as part of the Left Coast Live all-downtown music festival

Two-time Grammy Award winner Ernie Watts is one of the most versatile and prolific saxophone players around, featured on over 500 recordings by artists ranging from Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk, Oliver Nelson, Buddy Rich, and Gerald Wilson; to the contemporary "who's who" including Pat Metheny, Charlie Haden, Jack DeJohnette, Arturo Sandoval, and Kenny Barron. Ernie's signature sound is also heard on countless TV shows and movie scores, and with pop stars such as Aretha Franklin and Steely Dan. His site www.erniewatts.com has sound samples and more on this exceptional musician.

Ernie Watts and WVJO are now headlining the jazz portion of the large music festival "Left Coast Live" throughout downtown San Jose. One ticket gives admittance to 100 artists the evening of May 15, including additional jazz notables like Marcus Shelby and local jazz groups. Jazz starts at 6 pm at Theater on San Pedro Square (Octobop 6 pm, Watts/WVJO 8 and 9:30 pm, Lee Pardini Trio 11 pm).

New lower price! Purchase from Left Coast Live for $17, $20 at the door. WVJO Season Ticket Holders will receive special tickets for the Ernie Watts Concert only; check in at the Theater.

Parking: San Pedro/Market Street Garage ($3 all evening) directly across from San Pedro Square.  Other parking locations shown at www.sjdowntownparking.com .

 

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