Twin Cities Jazz Festival Announces 2014 Headliners

Media Contact: Connie Shaver

612-308-5785 ~ connieshaver@icloud.com

Saint Paul, Minn., February 13, 2014 -- Grammy-winning vocalist Dianne Reeves and NEA Jazz Master Branford Marsalis will headline the 16th annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival, Executive Director Steve Heckler announced today. The festival, to be held June 26-28 in and around Mears Park in Saint Paul's Lowertown district, will also feature 2013 Thelonious Monk Saxophone Competition winner Melissa Aldana and New Orleans "Big Easy" award-winning keyboardist Joe Krown.

• Diane Reeves is the only vocal artist to earn three consecutive Grammies (2001-2003). Her early career included touring with Sergio Mendes and Harry Belafonte. More recently she won a fourth Grammy (2006), served as the first Creative Chair for Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic and toured with Angelique Kidjo and Lizz Wright in Sing The Truth!, honoring the music and spirit of Miriam Makeba, Abbey Lincoln, and Odetta. Beautiful Life, Ms. Reeves first recording in five years, was released this week to wide acclaim. A masterful melding of R&B, Latin and pop within the framework of contemporary jazz, Beautiful Life marks the Grammy-winning vocalist's debut on Concord Records. "Life is beautiful and I wanted to celebrate that which is too often overlooked," says Ms. Reeves.

• Saxophonist Branford Marsalis, the oldest of the famed Marsalis brothers, has the credits of legends, including three Grammy Awards, a Tony nomination, and the designation NEA Jazz Master, which he shares with his father and brothers Wynton, Delfeayo and Jason. He will appear at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival with his acclaimed quartet, which the Associated Press has called one of the most cohesive, intense small jazz ensembles on the scene today.

• When 24-year-old Melissa Aldana won the 2013 Thelonious Monk International Saxophone Competition, she became the first woman instrumentalist to win any of the Monk top honors in the 26-year history of the prestigious competition. A native of Santiago, Chile and graduate of the Berklee College of Music, Aldana takes a break from her busy schedule in New York to come to Saint Paul with her "Crash" Trio, including bassist Pablo Menares and past festival favorite, drummer Francisco Mela.

• Three-time winner of New Orleans' "Big Easy Award," Joe Krown was the long-time keyboardist for Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown and has appeared frequently at the French Quarter Festival and New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

"This year will have an incredible line-up, two of the most lauded artists in modern jazz, a star of tomorrow, and one of the biggest names from the Big Easy! exclaims Steve Heckler. We are so excited to bring everyone together in Saint Paul.

As in recent years, the Twin Cities Jazz Festival brings together internationally and locally acclaimed jazz artists performing on multiple outdoor stages in and around Mears Park and among the dozen indoor club venues that will host a variety of jazz artists. The weekend begins with the annual "Jazz Night Out" with music in the clubs on Thursday, Friday has music in Mears Park from 4 to10 p.m., and a full line-up on Saturday from Noon until 10 p.m. After the park closes each night, music continues in the club until 1 a.m. Additionally, for the fourth year, the Twin Cities Jazz Festival will partner with the Saint Paul Public Libraries to bring three jazz programs to neighborhood libraries during the two weeks leading up to the festival. Other activities include pre-performance clinics, after hours jam sessions and more.

For more information, visit TwinCitiesJazzFestival.com. Photos and logo << CLICK HERE>> Full line-up and additional festival details will be released soon.

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