Jazz blows into Newport
By Barbara B. Covell
For the TODAY
The party that signals the start of fall is back, returning to the Newport Performing Arts Center on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 1 and 2. The doors will open to a sizzling lineup of musicians guaranteed to thrill both devoted fans and newcomers to the jazz music scene.
A powerhouse lineup of 13 jazz greats includes veterans as well as new performers for this popular event, which the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts began producing in 2004.
Jason Holland, executive director of the OCCA, is thrilled to bring live music back to the Oregon Coast.
“While Central Coast jazz festivals have been held in multiple locations since the late ’70s, this one is based entirely at the PAC,” Holland said. “There’s a passionate fan base here that spans decades.”
The weekend party consists of three distinctive sessions or sets.
“I’ve programmed so much variety in these shows that I’m encouraging everyone to attend all three,” Music Director Ken Peplowski said. “There will be no repeating of sets, or even combinations of musicians onstage.”
The audience-friendly format offers a combination of jam sessions and feature sets for each performer.
“This is different from the typical jazz festival,” Holland said. “Each set is totally unique. Our music director mixes and matches the artists in different configurations to create a distinctive performance every time.”
According to Peplowski, the event is a great introduction into this music for the uninitiated and a welcome return for those more familiar with the genre.
“These are all great musicians that have absorbed the whole history of jazz and forged their own styles and voices from this rich tapestry of American music,” he said. “We have a great drummer from Oregon, Jason Palmer, along with a long-time favorite Randy Porter, also from Oregon, on piano. We also have the virtuoso bassist and vocalist from LA, Katie Thiroux and another favorite, trumpet player Gilbert Castellanos. Russell Malone, one of the greatest living jazz guitarists, will join us, too.”
As a special treat, the event will feature a performance from quartet MJ New, led by Darrell Grant on piano, Marcus Shelby on bass, Mike Horsfall on vibraphone and Todd Strait on drums.
“They build on the classic modern jazz quartet’s elegance and swing, but take it into a new dimension that’s all their own,” Peplowski said. “They’ll be featured as the quartet and also mixing it up with the other performers. One of the greatest jazz saxophone players alive, Ingrid Jensen, appears for the first time. We also have the singing phenomenon, Clairdee. For something extra special, we have my friend and saxophone legend Houston Person on Friday night. Another friend and saxophone legend, Charles McPherson, appears on Saturday.”
Peplowski will also take the stage with his clarinet and tenor saxophone.
An informal talk will take place half an hour before each of the performances.
“There’s an incredible team of volunteers and donors who have helped make this party come together.” Holland said. “I am blown away by their dedication and love of jazz. They work on everything from artist transportation and hospitality to marketing and volunteer crew members during the weekend. It’s terrific to see this kind of community involvement and dedication. It takes a village to make this party a success.”
All performances are in the Alice Silverman Theatre of the Newport Performing Arts Center, located at 777 NW Beach Drive. Musicians will take to the stage on Friday evening at 7 pm, Saturday afternoon at 2 pm and Saturday evening at 7 pm. Prices range from $35 to $60.
Proof of full vaccination is required for entrance to performances. Those unable to be fully vaccinated, including children under the age of 12, must have proof of a negative test, taken no more than 72 hours prior to the performance.
For more information and to purchase tickets, go to coastarts.org or call 541-265-2787.
Friday evening
A spotlight on all the artists in feature spots plus a very special Friday night only performance by the acclaimed Houston Person Quartet.
Saturday afternoon
A musical potpourri consisting of one-off combinations of musicians in settings ranging from solos, duos and a full jam session with everyone on board.
Saturday evening
An exclusive performance featuring one of jazz music’s greatest alto saxophone players, Charles McPherson and his quartet and showcased sets by MJ New, performing with special guests and lots of surprises from the ensemble artists.