Savannah Music Festival - Two Weeks of World Class Music
GEORGIA'S LARGEST MUSICAL ARTS FESTIVAL
Music lovers worldwide can be found in the Savannah community to experience one of the largest and most sophisticated cross-genre music festivals being held in Georgia from March 19 through April 4. Through an exquisite selection of dance, film and narrative programs, the Savannah Music Festival has grown as a 501(c)3 and is dedicated to inspiring audiences of all ages in its presentation of outstanding performances for the last 25 years. While it may be a little late to attend the opening day’s performances, the line-up for the event is beyond impressive. Some of the acts that will be featured this year range from jazz, to classical, to reggae and even traditional music of the region. Baby Boomers living in nearby Georgia gated communities get to enjoy yet another year of awesome entertainers. Even folks visiting will enjoy this spectacular festival and maybe even shop for a beautiful retirement home in this culturally rich city.
Wednesday, March 25 – “Bouncin’ with Bud: Tardo Hammer plays Bud Powell”– jazz pianist Tardo Hammer will showcase compositions of Bud Powell, the great “bebop” pianist along with his colleague Thelonious Monk adapted Charlie Parker’s style to the piano. This hour long midday performance starts at 12:30pm and will be held at the Charles H. Morris Center. Tickets are $20.
Wednesday, March 25 at 5:30pm – Warren Vache Quintet plays Benny Carter/Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet - Trumpet Player Warren Vache returns to Savannah with his own quintet. This program will feature the music of jazz great Benny Carter distinguished NEA Jazz Master whose arrangements were featured in recordings by Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller and Count Basie to name a few. Featured performers include tenor saxophonist Houston Person, pianist Tardo Hammer, bassist Nicki Parrott, and drummer Leroy Williams. Percussionist Jason Marsalis, NEA Jazz Master who has performed in nearly every SMF since 2004 will be exploring compositions by Bobby Hutcherson and Hermeto Pascoal as well as his own original works. Joined on piano by Austin Johnson, Will Goble on bass and Dave Potter on drums, this performance is a must see. The event will be held at Charles H. Morris Center and tickets are $35. Warren Vache Quintet will also be performing on Thursday, March 26 at 12:30pm and tickets for this event are $20.
On Friday, March 27, at 12:30pm the Sean Jones Quartet will be featured at the Charles H. Morris Center. Originally a drummer, this trumpeter started playing at age 10 inspired by Miles Davis. Presently Jones is the Brass Department Chair at Berklee College of Music and his current quartet includes Orrin Evans on piano, Luques Curtis on bass and Obed Calvaire on drums. Tickets for this hour long performance are $20.
On Friday, March 27, at 6pm at the Trinity United Methodist Church, fans can enjoy Recitals III: Stephan Hough on piano. With a long and distinguishable career in music, this pianist received a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship in 2001 and combines a unique musical personality to entertain his audiences. Hough has performed with almost all major European and American orchestras and plays regularly in concert series around the world. The tickets for this venue are $52.
The Louis Armstrong Continuum/Swing Central Jazz Finale – will be held on Friday, March 27 at 7pm at the Lucas Theatre for the Arts. This original production will be devoted to the infamous Louis Armstrong and will include performances by the top three finalists from the Swing Central Jazz competition. Groups let by Marcus Roberts, Warren Vache and Wycliffe Gordon will be featured with classics such as “On the Sunny Side of the Street” and “Mahogany Hall Stomp” amongst others. Ticket prices range from $22 to $62 dollars and can be ordered online.
Also on Friday, March 27, Lunasa will be performing a prolific and stimulating performance Irish music adaptation. Called “the hottest Irish acoustic group on the planet” by The New York Times, this group is comprised of Sean Smyth (fiddle and low whistles), Kevin Crawford (flute, low whistles and tin whistles), Cillian Vallely (uilleann pipes) Trevor Hutchinson (double bass) and Ed Boyd on guitar. This 90 minute performance will be held at Ship of the Sea North Garden and tickets are $35.
The Marcus Roberts Trio will take the stage on Saturday, March 28 at the Charles H. Morris Center. SMF Associate Artistic Director and world-renowned pianist Marcus Roberts will offer an extraordinary performance incorporating a unique presentation of tempo, mood and texture showcased through a powerful rhythmic display of musical talent. The trio is completed with bassist Rodney Jordon and drummer Jason Marsalis. After 20 years of performing together, this amazing trio will get the toes tapping. Tickets are $35 for this hour long event.
On Saturday, March 28 at 3pm, Recitals IV: Murray Perahia (piano) will take place at the Trinity United Methodist Church. Murray Perahia, a highly regarded classical pianist, will be debuting at the SMF this season. For more than 40 years, Perahia has been mesmerizing audiences and his performance is being highly regarded as one of the best events at the festival this year. He is the recipient of 2 Grammy Awards and has won several Gramophone Awards as well. Perahia is an honorary fellow of the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music, and he holds honorary doctorates from Leeds University and Duke University. In 2004, he was awarded an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II, in recognition of his outstanding service to music. Tickets for this event sell for $70.
New Orleans Soul & Brass Party: Irma Thomas/Dirty Dozen Brass Band will be performing on Saturday, March 28th at 5pm at Ships of the Sea North Garden and will feature international superstar and “Soul Queen of New Orleans” Irma Thomas. Grammy Award winning artist and infamous for her first hit single “You Can Have My Husband, But Don’t Mess with My Man”, this amazing singer offers compelling and powerful performances reflecting her inspiration of Mahalia Jackson and Pearl Bailey. Accompanied by The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, this world famous ensemble goes beyond the New Orleans songbook displaying a healthy sense of humor and a truly Crescent City sound. Tickets for this event are $40.
One of the hottest bluegrass bands Hot Rize has reunited and will present an inspirational performance inspired by the music of Leadbelly and Freddie King combining swing with old-time Appalachia and a broad sweep of Bill Monroe’s style. With a new recording and tour, this incredible group brings together some of the best performers of our time. The event will be held at the Trustees Theatre at 7:30pm and tickets range from $25 to $55.
The Latin Dance Party: Adonis Puentes & The Voice of Cuba Orchestra will be performing March 28 at both 8 and 10:30pm at the Charles H. Morris Center. This “Latin Dance Party” will provide the perfect venue to dance the night away to syncopated rhythms provided by Cuban born Grammy-nominated singer and bandleader Adonis Puentes and his astounding 10 piece band.
The Savannah Music Festival includes so many acts that this article cannot list them all. The event concludes with the closing party with DakhaBrakha performing on Saturday, April 4 at 9pm at Ships of the Sea North Garden with a world renowned music quartet from Kyiv, Ukraine. Founded by underground theater performers, this universal music genre of native rhythms was rated “Best Breakout” by Rolling Stone and as the “Best Things We Saw at Bonnaroo 2014”. This closing event is a must see and tickets are still available for $30. To see the remaining performances that run through April 4, visit.www. savannahmusicfestival. org.
While visiting the Savannah community, Boomers seeking the perfect retirement option should visit the many Georgia gated communities that can be found here for the ultimate lifestyle experience.
Southbridge, an established master planned community in Savannah (Conde Nast calls Savannah Georgia ‘The Most Beautiful City in North America’) offers resort-style living spread across 1,400 acres of plush landscape in this culturally rich city. With traditional Southern architectural style, Southbridge is surrounded by lakes, lagoons, walking trails and woodlands, and the setting is tranquil and relaxing. The amenities here are over the top and provide residents a first class living experience. Rated as one of “Georgia’s Top 25 Golf Courses” by Golfweek magazine, this signature property also offers a 6,000 square foot Gold Clubhouse with dining, Pro Shop and Driving Range, the Southbridge Racquet Club, a 21,000 square foot Grand Lake Spa & Lodge, and stocked fishing lagoon and lakes. Vickery’s Restaurant provides the perfect “end of day” exquisite dining experience and provides discerning residents the opportunity to visit with neighbors at one of the best Georgia gated communities.
Savannah Quarters provides a historical collection of parks, nature preserves and lagoons at this 2,600 acre community known for its cozy and unique atmosphere with “an air of sophistication”. Named after Sherman’s troops captured for the Union in the 1860’s, Savannah Quarters is comprised of 3 exhilarating neighborhoods: Westbrook, Easthaven and The Village. Each of these gated communities offers exquisite amenities that provide a true “country club” experience in the ultimate setting balancing nature with Southern charm. With the acclaimed Tybee Island nearby, this property features an 18-hole Championship Golf Course designed by Greg Norman, a 29,000 square foot Golf Clubhouse with fine dining, an impressive Swim and Fitness Center with a 100 foot slide for the kids, 4 Har-Tru tennis courts and a Village Center for all of life’s conveniences. Property owners are not required to join the private golf club and the community is golf cart and pet friendly. In 2014, monthly golf dues ranged from $227 to $399 per month. Folks seeking an active lifestyle will be able to choose from numerous world-class music (including the Savannah Music Festival) and film festivals, museums, nautical adventures, art & monuments, events in the park, tours of historic antebellum homes, and abundant nightlife. This is a great choice in retirement living!
Waterways Township located in Richmond Hill, Georgia has been satisfying residents since 1962 with a surrounding that includes lush Georgia marshland and an abundance of wildlife. There are over 450 acres of preserved open space and the Bill Dance Signature Fishing Experience to keep active Boomers enjoying the best life has to offer. Voted as the “2013 Community of the Year”, this unique and captive setting consists of 3 primary neighborhoods in the Waterways Township: The Parkway South, The Village Center and Ridgewood Park along the State Wildlife area. With home site pricing ranging from the $50k’s to the low $200k’s, this highlysocial and wellness-oriented community ties the “old with the new” and allows folks seeking a plush retirement a versatile lifestyle incorporating all the luxuries of cultural adventures from Savannah with the incredible wildlife preserve found here. The community is debt free and offers superb education nearby in Richmond Hill. Other amenities include the Grand Lagoon with 3 miles of waterways, the WaterClub West Swimming Pool and Pavilion, the Ridgewood Central Park with Community Garden and a planned Swim & Fitness Club, tennis complex, full-service marina and Tom Fazio golf course. For a scenic property overview, the Cottenhem Trail system is a fabulous way to stay fit and enjoy the majestic surroundings of the region. Developed by Fletcher Management, this well-maintained piece of real estate is a great find when seeking a home in the Savannah community.
The Landings in Savannah is a well-known Georgia gated community located on Skidaway Island attracts saltwater boaters due to the convenient ocean access and 2 deep water marinas found here. This well-established 40-year old neighborhood has 6 championship golf courses, 4 golf clubhouses, 34 tennis courts and 40 miles of walking and biking trails for health enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. This “sea and land” location is only 15 miles away from Tybee Island and Savannah and is an ideal place to enjoy a fruitful retirement. Spread across 4,596 acres, there are approximately 4,400 homes planned (90% built to date) offering a diverse selection of styles from golf course homes to senior community living, this ideal setting has achieved multiple awards including “Best Community” by Savannah Magazine. Landings Harbor, located on the Wilmington River and only 3 miles from the Intracoastal Waterway, is one of two deep water marinas at Skidaway Island and has 276 dry stack storage spaces for boats up to 50 feet with boat lifts. Delegal Creek Marina, which is only one mile away from the Intracoastal Waterway, is on the opposite side of this Georgia gated community and has 74 wet boat slips for boats up to 60 feet. There are more than 100 social clubs that gather year round (including The Landings club) and fitness buffs can walk over to the 48,000 square foot Oakridge Fitness Center to access high tech fitness equipment, personal trainers and daily wellness classes. Single family homes for sale at The Landings at Skidaway Island can be found under $200K to well over $2 million. The average home price is around $490K. With the richness of culture nearby, this “land and sea” destination is perfect for enjoying the best life has to offer.
Here are some more events to enjoy at the Savannah Music Festival:
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra with Lynn Harrell - Saturday, March 28, 2015 Time: 8:00 PM Venue: Lucas Theatre for the Arts Tickets: $32, $42, $52, $65, $75 Duration: Approx. 110 minutes
New Orleans Soul & Brass Party: Irma Thomas/Dirty Dozen Brass Band - PERFORMANCE TIMES: March 28, 2015 5:00 PM/ Ships of the Sea North Garden/ March 28, 2015 8:30 PM/Tickets $40.
Chamber Music V: Emerson String Quartet - Date: Sunday, March 29, 2015/Time: 3:00 PM/Venue: Temple Mickve Israel/Tickets: $52
Giants of Texas Swing: Hot Club of Cowtown/Asleep at the Wheel - Date: Sunday, March 29, 2015 /Time: 7:00 PM (4:30 performance SOLD OUT) March 30, 2015 5:00 PM/March 31, 2015 5:00 PM/March 31, 2015 7:30 PM/Venue: Charles H. Morris Center/Tickets: $40
Julian Lage & Jorge Roeder - Date: Monday, March 30, 2015/Time: 12:30 PM/Venue: Charles H. Morris Center/Tickets: $20
Chamber Music VI : Emerson String Quartet with Daniel Hope & Friends - Date: Monday, March 30, 2015/Time: 6:00 PM/Venue: Trinity United Methodist Church/Tickets: $52
Kayhan Kalhor & Brooklyn Rider – Monday, March 30/8pm/Lucas Theatre for the Arts/Tickets: $25, 35, 45, 55, 65.
Chamber Music VII : Vive la France - Tuesday, March 31/11am/Trinity United Methodist Church/Tickets $30.
Bela Fleck with Brooklyn Rider – Tuesday, March 31, 7:30pm/Lucan Theatre for the Arts/Tickets range from $25 to $65.
The Wailers – Tuesday, March 31, 8:30pm/Trustees Theater – Tickets range $25 to $47.
Chamber Music VIII: Brooklyn Rider – Wednesday, April 1, 11am/Trinity United Methodist Church/Tickets $30.
Mike Marshall & Choro Famoso – Wednesday, April 1, 12:30pm/Charles H. Morris Center/Tickets $35.
Recitals V: Paul Lewis, piano – Wednesday, April 1, 6pm/Trinity United Methodist Church/Tickets $52.
There are a multitude of other fantastic musical events (too many to mention!) planned for this “world class” festival that runs through April 4. Be sure to check for show performances and ticket availability on their website, www. savannahmusicfestival. org. This is one incredible collection of performers that should not be missed!
While enjoying the Savannah Music Festival this season and all the superb cultural offerings in this rich Savannah community, don’t forget to check out the best Georgia gated communities in the area.
