Tower of Power
Hampton Jazz Festival
Friday, June 22 – 7:30 pm
Hampton Coliseum
The Tower of Power horns have played with a who’s who of rock and soul, and the band itself had a few hits in the early 1970s. They’ve still got the biggest, baddest, brassiest horn section going, and they’ll kick off this year’s Hampton kinda-Jazz Festival with a full bore blast of bump, funk and intricate instrumental passages, no doubt answering the age old question, “What is Hip?” The Fest’s Friday night lineup is topped by soul screamer Patti Labelle, but includes David Sanborn and George Benson. So it’s almost a night of actual jazz!
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Carrie Newcomer
Saturday, June 23 – 7:30 pm
Virginia Beach Central Library
This Indiana singer-songwriter is a rarity in the modern music world, a talented artist and activist who puts her beliefs and ideals into action, donating a portion of her CD sales to non-profit organizations engaged in helping people. Her songs about the human condition are intelligent, melodic, often spiritual and uplifting. She blends elements of folk, jazz and rock into her musical stew, and delivers her poetic lyrics in a deep, evocative voice that conjures up the rich, fertile soil of her native Midwest.
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Peter Rowan and Tony Rice
Bluegrass @ the Bagley
Saturday, July 21 – 4:00 pm
Buddy Bagley Stage
It’s a full afternoon and evening of free bluegrass out at the Bagley Stage in Chesapeake, headlined by acoustic music legends Peter Rowan and Tony Rice. Boston-born Rowan, who played with Bill Monroe, Jerry Garcia, Earth Opera and Seatrain, is a superb songwriter and singer. Rice is one of the greatest guitarists on the planet, whose musical vita includes bluegrass, newgrass, spacegrass, jazz and Lightfoot-like folk. The duo’s 2004 album together, You Were There for Me, was filled with timeless originals, tasty picking and expressive vocals.
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Alison Krauss & Union Station
Sunday, August 12 – 8:00 pm
Ted Constant Center
The biggest name in contemporary bluegrass comes to the Ted with her award winning band of musical wizards. Dobro legend Jerry Douglas anchors the 20-time Grammy winner’s supporting cast, helping her jump across genres while staying firmly rooted in the country and bluegrass traditions. Only 35 years old, Krauss has been in the record biz for more than half her life, with a remarkably consistent discography and a terrific stage presence.
copyright © 2007 Jim Newsom. All Rights Reserved.
