Beantown Jazz Fest salutes Big Easy

The 10th annual Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival Sept. 15-25 will tip its stylish cap to the music and culture of New Orleans five years after Hurricane Katrina - and, though the announcement doesn't mention it, smack dab in the middle of another Big Easy disaster courtesy of BP. Trumpeter Terence Blanchard (right) is the most prominant New Orleansian on a bill that also includes Paula Cole, the Bad Blus, Danilo Perez, the Wild Magnolias, Jonathan Batiste, Nona Hendryx and many more. The 10-day event touches venues all overer the city before shutting down Columbus Ave. on Saturday the 25th for a big free outdoor party with three stages. Other than refusing to capitalize the T in Beantown, I am on board. I can already taste the BBQ.The complete release is after the jump.

10th Annual Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival Celebrates New Orleans, September 15-25

More than 30 Acts to Perform Over 10 Days: Paula Cole, Kurt Rosenwinkel, The Bad Plus 

Terence Blanchard, Danilo Perez, Al Kooper, Robert Glasper, Greg Osby, Jonathan Batiste 

Nona Hendryx, The Wild Magnolias, Julian Lage, Grace Kelly, and more

Boston, MA, June 21, 2010 - The first college of jazz celebrates the birthplace of jazz as the 10th annual Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival pays tribute to music and culture of New Orleans five years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. From September 15-25, world-renowned superstars and popular local acts perform free and ticketed concerts throughout the city. The 10-day event culminates on Saturday, September 25, in a free outdoor festival on three stages over six blocks in the South End that brings together people of all ages from every Boston neighborhood, throughout New England, and beyond. Last year's event drew over 80,000, a new festival record.  

The festival's largest roster yet includes performances by 30 acts at the Berklee Performance Center (BPC), Scullers Jazz Club, Regattabar, Wally's Cafe, Berklee's Cafe 939 and David Friend Recital Hall, and outdoor stages along Columbus Avenue. The Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival is co-presented by Target and sponsored by Dunkin' Donuts, Blue Cross Blue Shield, WCVB-TV 5, and others. JazzBoston is a festival partner. BeanTown is receiving support from the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information, call 617-747-2261 or visit beantownjazz.org. 

"Jazz is one of America’s greatest contributions to world culture. Without the music of New Orleans, there is no Berklee," says festival artistic director Terri Lyne Carrington. "So we're celebrating our 10th anniversary by giving Beantown a taste of the Big Easy, with New Orleans music on each stage of the outdoor festival, a traditional jazz band marching up and down Columbus Avenue, delicious Southern cuisine, and activities for the whole family." 

Carrington has assembled a diverse and exciting lineup in her second year as artistic director. Among the highlights are Kurt Rosenwinkel and Orchestra de Jazz de Matosinhos (9/15, BPC); The Bad Plus (9/17, BPC); the John Coltrane Memorial Concert (9/18, Northeastern University); Robert Glasper (9/23, Regattabar); Danilo Perez (9/23-24, Scullers), Paula Cole (9/24, BPC); and Terence Blanchard (9/25, Scullers). 

The crown jewel is the free outdoor festival on Saturday, September 25, from noon to 6:00 p.m. on three stages over six blocks on Columbus Avenue, starting at Massachusetts Avenue. Top acts include Al Kooper and the Funky Faculty, Jonathan Batiste Trio, Greg Osby and Mark Turner, The Wild Magnolias, Nona Hendryx, Julian Lage Trio, The Boogaloo Swamis, Rhiannon featuring Abraham Laboriel and Alex Acuña, Grace Kelly, Victor Mendoza, and others. 

The Target Family Park returns to transform Carter Playground on Columbus Ave. into a hub of activity for kids of all ages, with inflatables, rides, face painting, balloons, and an instrument petting zoo staffed with Berklee professionals. More than 80 vendor booths will offer arts, crafts, accessories, and great food representing a variety of countries.

To browse a list of Berklee BeanTown Jazz festival concerts, visit: http://www.beantownjazz.org