There will be no shortage of opportunities to hear jazz in early February. Two highly anticipated events, one an annual affair, and another a special performance by the offspring of renowned jazz musician John Coltrane, will be coming to Pleasanton.
The 33rd Annual Campana Jazz Festival will take place all day Feb. 9 at Amador Valley High School. The festival continues to grow, featuring 24 schools that will be performing 44 ensembles.
They are categorized into four skill levels this year–middle school, high school B, high school A and high school AA–and will perform sets for the judges, including respected Bay Area jazz educators David Eshelman, Rory Snyder, Cindy Browne and Carrey Summna. Joining them this year will be Johannes Wallmann, Erin Lington, Eric Thompson, Warren Cross, John Nordgren, Dann Zinn, Frank Sumeras, Mary Fettig, Michael Galisatus, Paul Tynan and Arthur LaPierre.
More than 700 students from middle school and high school will participate in the event. They will perform in big band, combo and vocal venues. New this year will be a third performance venue.
“There will be vocal jazz groups performing at the festival this year,” said Jon Grantham, director of bands at Amador. “We added a jazz combo division which is also new as well.”
All Campana participants will enjoy master classes taught by some of the most respected jazz teachers and musicians from the area. Classes will include improvisation and rhythm, instrumental classes and a new vocal workshop.
There will be two awards concerts this year, the first at 3 p.m. for the middle school and high school A bands and the second at 5 p.m. for the high school B and AA bands. Outstanding musicians, best sections and best bands will be recognized during the concerts.
To attend the event, purchase a wristband at the door of any of the three venues for $6. The wristband will allow you access to all venues and ensembles throughout the day, including the awards concerts.
Jim Campana began the Pleasanton Music Festival in 1975 and it was named the Campana Jazz Festival after him in 1980 when he retired. He served as the Amador Valley music director from 1959 to 1979.
On Feb. 8, the city of Pleasanton will host the Ravi Coltrane Quartet in collaboration with the Campana Jazz Festival. Coltrane is the son of artists John and Alice Coltrane and was named after Indian sitar legend Ravi Shankar. The program will be held at the Amador Theater, 1155 Santa Rita Road, beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets for the event can be purchased for $25, $30 or $35 for adults and $15, $18 or $21 for students. Contact the Civic Arts center at 931-3444 for more information.
