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Savannah Music Festival

The Savannah Music Festival (SMF) is pleased to announce that it will once again showcase an extraordinary array of performances during its 17th annual Festival, to be held March 17 – April 2, 2006. As the region’s largest and most diverse music festival, SMF will once again produce a 17-day musical marathon that includes symphonic music, blues, jazz, gospel, chamber music, bluegrass, rock, a wealth of international music and dance styles, and its renowned American Traditions Competition.

The entire city will become a “Paradise for Music Lovers” as locals and tourists patronize Savannah’s many historic venues and theatres while experiencing more than 500 artists participating in over 100 events. Having increased its attendance and ticket sales by nearly 300% during the past three years, SMF continues to extend its programmatic offerings to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

“The 2006 Festival is packed with a panorama of performances that will transform one of America’s most beautiful and historic cities into a cultural gathering place where musicians will live out their dreams, great times will be shared, and audiences will be enchanted,” said SMF Board Chairman, S. Hart Williford. “Once again, we promise to capture the imagination of audiences from around the world.”

“We designed this year’s festival to be our biggest and best, but also our most affordable festival ever,” added Rob Gibson, Executive and Artistic Director of the Festival. “Our mission remains to produce a world-class celebration of the musical arts by creating timeless and adventurous one-time only productions that make this Festival one of the nation’s most unique musical destinations.”

PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• SMF’s first-ever St. Patrick’s Day opening, featuring Irish supergroup Lúnasa performing in the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and in evening concerts;
• The world premiere of a new production of “L’Histoire du Soldat” (The Soldier’s Tale) by renowned director Jonathan Moore, under the musical direction of Associate Artistic Director Daniel Hope;
• An unprecedented double-bill highlighting two of the most remarkable traditional groups performing African music and dance, from the old and new worlds, featuring Les Ballet Africains (the National Dance Company of the Republic of Guinea) and Peru Negro, cultural ambassadors of Peru dedicated to preserving and sharing the “soul of Black Peru”;
• A rare screening of Buster Keaton’s The General with live music by Rick Benjamin’s Paragon Ragtime Orchestra. Regarded as the greatest of all silent comedies, The General was Keaton’s personal favorite;
• The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s only 2006 performance with pianist Andre Watts, who will perform Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto #2;
• A Gospel Music Workshop under the direction of James Bignon, who will perform in a four-act gospel extravaganza production entitled “The Gospel Truth”;
• A new, two-day Southeastern High School Jazz Band Workshop for bands throughout Georgia led by Marcus Roberts, Wycliffe Gordon, Don Braden and other renowned jazz performer/educators;
• The 13th annual American Traditions Competition showcasing singers from all over the country who will compete for a top prize of $10,000 while fostering the continuity of American vocal music;
• A specially conceived chamber music series featuring an array of international players under the musical direction of Daniel Hope, performing in the intimate Rotunda of the Telfair Academy of Arts & Sciences.



The 2006 SMF is presented in a unique series format, built around musical genres. This year’s Series include the following concerts:

• The Morris Multimedia Americana Series features Emmylou Harris; Jacqueline Schwab performing songs from the era of Mark Twain; Buster Keaton’s classic film The General featuring live music by Rick Benjamin’s Paragon Ragtime Orchestra; and Sam Bush, Mike Marshall, and Edgar Meyer with special guest Daniel Hope.
• The Memorial Health Feel Better Series includes Brazil’s Hamilton De Holanda; the Irish performing ensemble Lúnasa; Argentinean tango master Pablo Ziegler; the National Dance Ensemble of Guinea, Les Ballets Africains; and Peru’s renowned traditional music and dance ensemble, Peru Negro.
• The Symphonic Savannah Series consists of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the New York Collegium.
• The Harrison Sensations Series includes SMF Associate Artistic Director and violinist Daniel Hope in a series of one-time-only chamber music programs.
• The free Music at Midday Series again celebrates music and nature by placing a harpist, organists and choirs in the city’s most venerable and beautiful landmarks.
• The Paradise Sound Series features performances by classical guitarist David Russell; the Emerson String Quartet; pianist Kris Bezuidenhout; Katia and Marielle Labeque with Daniel Hope & Friends; and the Savannah Choral Society.
• The Jazz Juggernauts Series includes a 75th birthday celebration for jazz great Ben Tucker; a piano showdown featuring boogie-woogie and stride stylists Bob Seeley, Mark Braun, John Cocuzzi and Bob Page; the Bill Charlap Trio with special guests Slide Hampton & Frank Wess; and the Marcus Roberts Trio with special guest Wycliffe Gordon
• The VeriSign Savannah Jams Series features Béla Fleck and The Flecktones; The Codetalkers; a double-bill with The Derek Trucks Band and Oteil & the Peacemakers; and a blues concert featuring greats Pinetop Perkins, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Nappy Brown, and “Steady Rollin” Bob Margolin.
• The Music of the American South Series includes The Del McCoury Band; Larry Keel & Natural Bridge and the Biscuit Burners, showcasing bluegrass and mountain music; and three great Louisiana groups: Walter “Wolfman” Washington and the Roadmasters; Rebirth Brass Band; and Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience.

Ticket prices range from $5-$60, with many events free of charge. For additional program information, visit ww.savannahmusicfestival.org or call 912.234.3378. Tickets go on sale October 5, 2005, at 5 p.m. at the Trustees Theater box office at 216 E. Broughton Street.

About the Savannah Music Festival

The 2006 Savannah Music Festival takes place March 17 – April 2, 2006. The 17th annual event is dedicated to presenting a world-class celebration of the musical arts by creating timeless and adventurous productions that stimulate arts education, foster economic growth, and unite artists and audiences in Georgia's first city. For support and volunteer information or to purchase SMF commemorative merchandise, visit www.savannahmusicfestival.org or call (912) 234-3378.