Lovano, Harris to join All-Star octet for 2007 summer tour, 2008 season
This summer the SFJAZZ Collective will make their first tour of the European Festival circuit. Their lineup will feature a pair of new faces, tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano and vibraphonist Stefon Harris, replacing Collective founding members Bobby Hutcherson and artistic director/tenor saxophonist Joshua Redman.
 Redman, whose forthcoming album Back East features a new acoustic trio and guest appearances by Lovano and his late father, Dewey, noted in a recent San Jose Mercury News article outlining the changes, “It's nice to have consistency of personnel in a band, because that's how it gets to the next level. But I think it's also great to keep things fresh.”
The two new Collective members will certainly do that. The Mercury News called Lovano “as star-power a replacement as you can get, short of Sonny Rollins.” His impeccable reputation as a composer, improviser, and arranger will all be tremendous assets in his role as artistic director. And Stefon Harris, consistently ranked among the top mallet players in the world, brings a spirited new voice to the group’s sound. Add in new trumpeter Dave Douglas, whose first season with the Collective is this spring, and you have one of the most star-studded lineups in modern jazz.
The Collective’s March 11 Spring Season performances will be two of the final opportunities to catch Hutcherson and Redman with the Collective. Be sure to catch them while you can.
Read Richard Scheinin’s complete article on the Collective’s changes.
SFJAZZ Education Update:
All-Stars Headline at North Beach nightspot
Before he gets to Europe, Stefon Harris will have to reckon with another group of talented all-stars, the SFJAZZ High School All-Stars. Harris will join the All-Star Big Band for their June 3 performance at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. But you can catch these talented high schoolers at San Francisco nightspot Jazz at Pearl’s this coming Thursday, February 15 at 8PM.
Cory Combs, SFJAZZ Associate Director of Education, is delighted the All-Stars are enjoying a number of opportunities to shine on the main stage. “Performing live is an essential component of a true jazz education. That we’re able to present the kids in such a great jazz venue only adds to the thrill.”
Be sure to check out these other upcoming March gigs featuring the SFJAZZ High All-Stars:
Thursday March 7, 8PM & 10PM
Small Ensemble & Big Band Community Concert
Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, Oakland
Thursday, March 15, 8pm
Small Ensemble Community Concert
Jazz at Pearl’s, San Francisco
Wednesday, March 28, 8pm
Small Ensemble Community Concert
With UC Berkeley Jazz Combo
Anna’s Jazz Island, Berkeley
 Jazz is all about give and take and we take that open exchange of ideas very seriously here at SFJAZZ. To that end, we’ve opened up the SFJAZZ Inbox for any questions, concerns, suggestions, or compliments readers care to pass our way. Send us an e-mail with your thoughts.
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