CCP HOLDS 1ST INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL

The Cultural Center of the Philippines will be a-thumping with the sound and beat of jazz music when it holds The Story of Jazz:  1^St CCP International Jazz Festival 2011 on August 23-28, 2011.

New CCP Artistic Director Chris Millado imparts to the media the Story of Jazz in the Philippines. (Photo by Kiko Cabuena)

          More than 150 jazz musicians from different jazz groups will converge at the CCP to jive and jam in various venues of the CCP that will be transformed into one big jazz club with intimate music lounges. Jazz players and singers from the Philippines and abroad will tell the story of jazz through talk and music. Lectures on and performances of jazz in all its variety of styles---bebop, blues, ragtime, modal, experimental, big band and fusion will be held.

          Leading the roster of performers is the world renowned Royal Hartigan and Blood Drum Spirit from the USA, Korean Soul and Beat Project from Korea, Stelzhamma from Austria, Shun Kikuta from Japan, Neris Gonzalez from Spain, jazz vocalist Charito, guitarist Joric Maglanque, Michael Bourne, Bleu Rascals, Lowcal, Blue Rats, Faith Gospel Singers, the UP Jazz Ensemble, UST Jazz Ensemble, Cooky Chua and Bluesviminda, Majam, Emy Munji, and the AMP Band. 

          A video documentary on the Story of Jazz in the Philippines produced by Richie Quirino and Collis Davis Jr. will also be shown.  Performance venues include the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater), Tanghalang Huseng Batute (Studio Theater), and the Silangan Hall.  The MKP Multi-Purpose Hall will serve as the venue for all the lectures.

          On August 28 at the CCP Main Theater, the Festival will come to a swinging finish in a concert headlined by the royal hartigan and blood drum spirit, UP Jazz Ensemble, Charito with the AMP Band.

          The event will not only see the largest gathering of local and foreign jazz artists at the CCP for the first time.  It will also feature these foreign and local artists bond together and collaborate in this enjoyable language of musical expression.

 
          Tickets prices to the events at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater) are P800, P600, P400 and P200.  Ticket price to all concerts at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute and the Silangan Hall are at P300.  All lectures and workshops at the MKP Multi-Purpose Hall are at P100.   The standard 50% discount for students and 20% for senior citizens apply. 

          For inquiries, contact the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or Ticketworld at 891-9999; or call the CCP Music Division at 832-1125 loc. 1604-1605.