Savannah Music Festival Features Unprecedented Array of Artistry in 18th Annual Event

Savannah Music Festival Features Unprecedented Array of Artistry in 18th Annual Event

SAVANNAH, Ga., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- The 18th Annual Savannah Music Festival (March 15-April 1, 2007) announced its season today with a line-up of diverse artists including Wynton Marsalis, Susan Tedeschi, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Marty Stuart, the Borodin Quartet, Dianne Reeves, Jerry Douglas and Anoushka Shankar. The 18-day Festival presents nearly 100 world- class events that highlight symphonic, blues, jazz, gospel, chamber, bluegrass, and world music as well as dance and film.

"We remain committed to producing unique musical arts events that offer the joy and adventure of music and music-making to as many people as possible. For 18 days, we aim to make Savannah a very hip destination for music lovers," added Rob Gibson, executive and artistic director of the Festival.

2007 Season Highlights include:
- A St. Patrick's Day weekend kick-off with the Celtic folk group Leahy;
a first-ever double-bill of Dianne Reeves and Susan Tedeschi; and a
performance by Irish ensemble Flook.
- A "Savannah Jazz Party" featuring four consecutive evenings and a
myriad of jazz styles ranging from ragtime and stride piano to hot jazz
and big band swing. Featured artists include Kenny Davern, John
Pizzarelli, Marcus Roberts, John Jorgensen, Wycliffe Gordon, Bucky
Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, Terry Waldo and more.
- A performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion, one of only three U.S.
performances by the Wiener Akademie Baroque Orchestra and Musica
Angelica directed by Martin Haselbock.
- A performance by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra under Music Director
Robert Spano featuring violin soloist Daniel Hope, the Festival's
associate artistic director, performing the Violin Concerto by Brahms.
- A vocal recital series featuring three singers all making their
Savannah debut: soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian, tenor Mark Padmore and
bass Morrison Robinson.
- A specially conceived chamber music series, "Sensations," featuring an
array of international players under the direction of Daniel Hope, SMF
Associate Artistic Director.
- Savannah debuts by other celebrated artists including Anoushka Shankar,
Leahy, Flook, Noche Flamenca, Boston Camerata, Ivan Moravec, the
Borodin Quartet, and Plena Libre.

Additional performers/performances include The Boston Camerata, Zuill Bailey, Kristian Bezuidenhout, Philip Dukes, Annika Hope, Tim Jones, Benny Kim, Sebastian Knauer, Josephine Knight, Peter Kolkay, Patrick Messina, CarlaMaria Rodrigues, Deborah Workman, a unique paring of Philippe Entremont and Sebastian Knauer, David Finckel and Wu Han; the Beaux Arts Trio, Uncle Earl, Steamboat Bill, Jr., a Buster Keaton film set to live piano by Rick Friend, Porter-Batiste-Stoltz; Geno Delafose, feature film, Awake My Soul: The Story of the Sacred Harp, Echoes of Hoboken, Shawn Mullins, lecture/performances with Dr. Ron Byrnside, Bernice Johnson Reagon and Anne Acker, James Bignon and the SMF Mass Choir, The American Traditions Competition, and 12 free midday concerts.

Ticket prices range from $15 to $85. For more information visit www.savannahmusicfestival.org.

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Source: Savannah Music Festival

CONTACT: Danette A. Wills of Savannah Music Festival, +1-912-234-3378,
ext. 104, or Cell, +1-912-247-7115, or danette@savannahmusicfestival.org

Web site: http://www.savannahmusicfestival.org/

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