Archives for February 2013

NC Jazz Festival @ Wilmington president Sandy Evans presents Bucky Pizzaarelli with his plaque

World renowned musicians, guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli and cornetist Ed Polcer were honored at this year’s Patron’s Brunch with the presentation of individually crafted plaques created by local artist Justine Ferrari of Creations by Justine. 

Ed Polcer

This was Bucky’s 12^th appearance at the festival and Ed’s 21^st.  The NCJF board of directors made this presentation as a token of our appreciation of the gift of jazz excellence that these musicians have given and continue to give to audiences around the globe, but particularly here in Wilmington, NC.

Continuing in our efforts to bring different styles of jazz to the North Carolina Jazz Festival’s opening night each year, the NCJF will present a tribute to the great Brazilian Jazz musician Antonio Carlos Jobim on Thursday night, at our 34^th annual event.

Headlining this segment will be Brazilian born vocalist Maucha  Adnet, who sang with Jobim for 10 years.  A native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, she now resides in New York City, where she is a busy performer.

Joining  Maucha for this salute to Brazilian Jazz will be NYC’s Harry Allen on tenor sax; Israeli born Ehud Asherie – piano; Tampa native Nate Najar – guitar; Australia/NYC’s Nicki Parrott – bass; and internationally acclaimed, U.S. born, Chuck Redd on drums.  This great American Heritage, JAZZ, is loved and played world-wide, and we are proud to bring some of the best international jazz musicians together on our stage to perform a style of jazz nurtured in Brazil.

Just a few of the other all-star performers for our 2014 jazz weekend will be trumpeter/vocalist  Bria Skonberg, formerly from  British Columbia, now living in NYC; Aussie reedman Adrian Cunningham, cornetist Ed Polcer (NYC & NOLA) and America’s favorite guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli.

Friday and Saturday nights will feature our traditional 6 or 7 sets, each with a different leader.