FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: HAMILTON INK June 4, 2004 415-381-8198 pam@hamiltoninkpr.com
Fillmore Jazz Festival Celebrates 20 Historic Years July 3-4
Jazz Greats Including Paula West, Kim Nalley and Lavay Smith Fill Three Main Stages
Artists Also Pay Tribute to Jazz Legends Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie, on his 100th birthday year!
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Jazz in all its forms – from standards to fusion, Latin-based to mellow -- takes center stage in the legendary Fillmore district during the annual FILLMORE JAZZ FESTIVAL, JULY 3-4, from 10AM to 6PM EACH DAY. Heralded as the largest free jazz festival on the West Coast, this annual favorite combines the best of traditional and contemporary jazz, dozens of gourmet food and beverage booths, and more than 8 city blocks of pre-screened artists into an extraordinary two-day event! Jazz greats Paula West, Kim Nalley, Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers and Fillmore’s legendary pianist Frank Jackson are among the host of performers who will keep the crowd jumpin’ on three stages covering 12 city blocks of the Fillmore. Start your day on Fillmore at Jackson Street and stroll through the Fillmore Jazz Preservation District to Ellis Street for day-long fun. Entertainment stages are located at California, Sutter and Ellis Streets. Festivalgoers can also browse through dozens of local shops, restaurants, and galleries, many exclusive to the Fillmore area. The event is co-presented by The Fillmore Merchants Association and The Fillmore Jazz Preservation District Merchants Association, and is produced by Hartmann Studios. The Fillmore Jazz Festival is FREE to the public. Parking is available at the Fillmore Center Garage (Eddy Street off Fillmore) and the Japan Center Garage/Kabuki Garage (1600 Geary). For more information visit www.fillmorejazzfestival.com or call 1-800-731-0003. The entertainment line-up is a jazz lover’s delight and offers the special treat of jazz greats paying tribute to some of the greatest jazz legends of all time -- Kim Nalley singing the songs of Nina Simone, the Lisa Carr Quartet playing tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and The Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra featuring Denise Perrier in a tribute to Count Basie, on the occasion of his 100th birthday year! Between sets there’s food aplenty. Check out the Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Jambalaya, Holy Guacamole, Zao Noodle Bar, featuring Asian style ribs and Bangkok Chicken Salad. Plus, the Festival offers a large selection of beer, wines and soft drinks to wash down the delectables. This year’s festival promises to be an art lover’s delight as a variety of pre-screened artists line the streets to showcase their wares. Some of this year’s key artists include illustrations from Mark Ulriksen, whose art has been on over a dozen covers of The New Yorker, paintings from Adam Stone, feather fantasy masks from Lorra Lee Rose, edible gifts prepared by Alene DeBrito from DeBrito Chocolates, San Francisco-based painter Zhiyan Wang “Zian”, photographer Chris Honeysett and embroidered art from Eric Shi of Embroidery Wonders. From watercolors to oils, sculptures to pottery, garments to housewares, there’s something for every taste and lifestyle on Fillmore! Art and crafts will also be available for purchase. The FILLMORE JAZZ FESTIVAL is co-presented by The Fillmore Merchants Association and The Fillmore Jazz Preservation District Merchants Association. The event is sponsored by KBLX Radio, KRON-TV, SF Magazine, CityFlight Magazine, SF Bay Guardian, Fillmore Center, Renewal by Anderson, Kitchen Works, 7x7 Magazine, Interval Resorts and Bank One Disney Visa. For more information visit www.fillmorejazzfestival.com or call 800-731-0003.
