Benny Golson to Play Estes Park Jazz Fest - 04/25/2006

From Big Band era sounds to the rollicking feel-good music a la New Orleans, to hearing one of the jazz scenes greatest from New York, Estes Park’s annual Jazz Fest May 13 and 14 is ready to provide two afternoons of free music to kick off the free summer concert schedule here.

While eight groups are scheduled to perform, knowing jazz legend Benny Golson will appear for a set on Mothers Day along with the Queen City Jazz Band, Max Wagner Quarter and Nelson Rangel provides special incentive to attend.

Starting at noon each day Jazz Fest performances are held in the town’s intimate Performance Park amphitheater, 417 West Elkhorn Ave. Those coming for the entertainment should bring a lawn chair or blanket.

Scheduled to appear Saturday are the Estes Park Big Band, Mambotet, Ellyn Rucker and Laura Newman and AOA.

Jazz Fest coincides with Art Walk Weekend, a self-guided tour of galleries, artist studios and special exhibitions throughout the Estes Park area. The Art Walk begins each day at 10 a.m. and continues until 5 p.m., although hours may vary at some locations. Art Walk maps are available at any of the participating galleries or at Performance Park For more information on Art Walk, call 970-586-9203.

Jazz Fest is sponsored by Estes Park Special Events Department of the Estes Park Convention and Visitors Bureau along with Poppy’s Pizza and Grill and the Silver Moon Inn. For more information about Jazz Fest, call the Estes Park Convention & Visitors Bureau at 970-577-9900 or 800-443-7837.



The Jazz Fest Lineup
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Noon:Estes Park Big Band
1:10 pm: Mambotet
2:30 pm: Ellyn Rucker
3:50 pm: L:aura Newman & AOA

Sunday, May 14, 2006
Noon: Max Wagner Quartet
1:20 pm: Queen City Jazz Band
2:40 pm: Benny Golson of New York
4 pm: Nelson Rangel


Jazz Fest Performers

Saturday, May 13, noon – Estes Park Big Band
Don’t let the group’s name, reflective of the community make-up of its membership, fool you. This group of musicians, many of whom have played professionally with headliners throughout the United States prior to their “retirement” in this resort village, is known for its powerful sound that adheres to precepts of the big band era. Now in their 13th year of performing, the band performs the swinging sounds of Duke Ellington, Les Brown, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller and Count Basie.


Saturday, May 13 2:30 pm – Ellyn Rucker
A talented bop-based pianist and a highly appealing and sensuous singer, Ellyn Rucker has long been a fixture in the Denver area. Although she started playing piano when she was eight, discovered jazz at 13, and studied classical piano at Drake University, she did not decide to become a full-time musician until 1979. Rucker has toured Europe several times (with and without Spike Robinson), recorded several albums for Capri, has a full-length video on Leisure Jazz, and performed at many festivals. Reviewer Scott Yanow wrote, “Rucker’s talent has long been in the major leagues and her recordings are all quite appealing and powerful. Had she taken up music full-time 20 years earlier or lived in a larger area than Denver she would be a bigger name.”

Saturday May 13, 3:50 pm – Laura Newman & AOA
AOA (Alive on Arrival) has enjoyed a steady success in the due to top notch musicianship and audience enthusiasm. The personal and enigmatic quintet - vocals, sax, keyboards, bass, drums - exhibits and honest love of feel-good tunes.

In addition to an extensive repertoire of original jazz compositions, they know hundreds of classic hits, standards, R&B, acid jazz, funk and pop tunes. AOA presents innovative arrangements of hits that deserve continued recognition. A style of live performance that is connected, inviting and personable bucks the trend of musicians who fail to recognize the audience. This band knows and enjoys the job of entertainment.

Sunday, May 15: 12:30 p.m. – Max Wagner Quartet

The Max Wagner Quartet opens Sunday’s lineup with a mix of high energy jazz. The quartet consists of Ken Walker on base, Jeff Jenkins on piano, Todd Reed on drums, with Wagner singing jazz vocals and playing the soprano and tenor saxophone. The Durango Herald wrote “Max Wagner’s music is food for the soul.” The Coloradoan described Wagner as “a world class jazz artist.”

Sunday, May 15: 1:20 p.m. – Queen City Jazz Band

This venerable group from Denver has been playing traditional New Orleans style jazz, blues and gospel for more than 40 years. The seven-piece Queen City Jazz recreates the sounds of the 1920s jazz era. Since 1958, the band has been playing traditional New Orleans jazz, blues and gospel, bringing to life the music of such greats as Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, Kid Ory, Bix Beiderbecke and Ma Rainey.


Sunday, May 14, 2:40 pm – Benny Golson

Multitalented and internationally famous jazz legend - a composer, arranger, lyricist, producer - and tenor saxophonist of world note, Benny Golson was raised with an impeccable musical pedigree. He has played in the bands of world famous Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Earl Bostic and Art Blakey. Few jazz musicians can claim to be true innovators and even fewer can boast of a performing and recording career that literally redefines the term "jazz".

Golson has absolute mastery of the jazz medium. He has not only blazed a trail in the world of jazz but is passionate about teaching jazz to young and old alike. He has lectured at the Lincoln Center through a special series by Wynton Marsalis. He has lectured to doctoral candidates at New York University and to the faculty at National University at San Diego.

Honored with doctorates from William Paterson College, Wayne, NJ and Berklee School of Music, Boston, MA, Dr. Golson has also conducted workshops and clinics. Golson's musical odyssey has taken him around the world. In 1987 he was sent by the US State Department on a cultural tour of Southeast Asia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Burma, Singapore. Later, Philip Morris International sent him on an assignment to Bangkok, Thailand to write music for the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra.

A live performer who consistently knocks audiences off their feet, Benny Golson has given hundreds of performances in USA, Europe, South America, Far East and Japan for decades.

Sunday, May 14, 4 pm – Nelson Rangel

Saxophone musician Nelson Rangel uses a tone that sounds like a little cat turning a corner to find a big, hungry dog; he squeals. Backed by a standard electric pop band using some funk and some pop rhythms, Mr. Rangel plays to popular culture's notions of emotionality. Passion is underscored; it was musical deep breathing. Rangel has techniques; he plays fast and cleanly, and he can get an audience.