“‘Celebrate the revival of the Bellevue Jazz Festival with a lineup of elite Northwest artists, capped off by a Memorial Day weekend event headlined by the Branford Marsalis Quartet. Additional national and regional artists will perform throughout downtown Bellevue.
National and local jazz stars will lead the revival of the Bellevue Jazz Festival for a series of free and ticketed performances in Downtown Bellevue, April 9 through May 24, 2008.
World-renowned saxophonist and three-time Grammy winner Branford Marsalis will headline the festival with a concert May 23 at Meydenbauer Center. The Spanish Harlem Orchestra, a 13-member Latin jazz ensemble and Grammy winner, will perform its Latin jazz dance party May 24 at Meydenbauer Center.
For the past seven years, the Bellevue Downtown Association (BDA) has produced a popular springtime series of six free Wednesday night jazz concerts featuring many of the region’s best artists. The association is now taking a lead role to expand the series and create a festival that showcases national and regional talent and educates emerging audiences.
‘We’re designing a festival that will take root in 2008, grow in 2009 and mature into a major Memorial Day weekend event that will draw enthusiasts from throughout the Northwest,’ said BDA President Leslie Lloyd. ‘Adding the Branford Marsalis Quartet and Spanish Harlem Orchestra to the lineup are an important steps to nurture the event and add a more dynamic jazz experience in our city’” Continued…