EDMONDS — The 39th annual DeMiero Jazz Festival runs Thursday through Saturday at the Edmonds Center for the Arts.
The festival offers workshops for students and public performances by great musicians. Led by the jazz man himself, Frank DeMiero, and artistic director Dee Daniels, the remainder of festival’s concerts are at 7 p.m. March 5, 6 and 7.
The lineup this year includes the vocal jazz group Groove for Thought, who DeMiero calls the finest vocal jazz group in the country.
“We are very excited to have them as our headliners,” DeMiero said.
With their modern harmonies and rhythmic inventions, Groove for Thought pays respect to such groups such as the Manhattan Transfer.
A special tribute is planned during the Saturday concert to honor the late Tim Hauser, Manhattan Transfer founder and multiple Grammy award-winner.
Also singing during the festival are Greta Matassa and Lauren Kinhan.
“We think Greta is simply one of the best jazz singers in the world, no kidding,” DeMiero said. “She just happens to choose to live in Seattle and that for some reason she hasn’t received some of the ‘rock star’ attention. She scats, she sings any song and she has a great vocal range.”
“Lauren is an amazing singer, too. She performs with several ensembles including the New York Voices and has an incredible career of her own.”
On hand, too, will be DeMiero’s Seattle Jazz Singers, Edmonds Community College’s Soundsation and the festival’s house combo of guitarist Bruce Forman, drummer David Tull, pianist Josh Nelson and bassist Jay Leonhart.
“Those four guys are so darn hip it’s crazy,” DeMiero said. “They are versatile, respected and funny. And they can sing.”
Jazz Pearls bassist Louise Uriu of Everett said her participation in the DeMiero Jazz Festival has been life-changing.
“It was during my time volunteering at a festival event that I was inspired by one of the guest artists,” Uriu said. “His encouragement helped me to realize that I was ready to move forward with my music, resulting in a career as a jazz bassist. These kinds of moments are repeated throughout the festival for hundreds of musicians, young and old, year after year. It’s magic.”
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @galefiege.
If you go
DeMiero Jazz Festival, www.demierojazzfest.org, is March 5-7 at the Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 Fourth Ave. N., Edmonds. Tickets: $35 or $25 for students age 21 and younger; online at www.edmondscenterforthearts.org or call 425-275-9595.
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