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SJ Jazz Society Announces August Gala Lineup

KERMIT RUFFINS TO PERFORM AT SAN JOSE JAZZ SOCIETYS “LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULEZ” OPENING NIGHT GALA & CONCERT FUNDRAISER
Thursday, August 17th Event at Santana Row Part of the 2006 Annual Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival
SAN JOSE, Calif., June 20, 2006 — The San Jose Jazz Society (www.sanjosejazz.org) today announced that New Orleans trumpeter and vocalist Kermit Ruffins will perform at the San Jose Jazz Societys Opening Night Gala & Concert Fundraiser at Santana Row in San Jose. The New Orleans themed reception takes place on Thursday, August 17, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Kermit Ruffins concert and fundraising auction. Tickets are now available.
The evening titled “Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez” is the San Jose Jazz Society’s premiere social event. The semi-formal outdoor evening includes an hors doeuvre and cocktail reception in the Maggiano’s courtyard. Guests will then be escorted to the concert area where they will be treated to a lively performance featuring Kermit Ruffins and his band, The Barbecue Swingers. Additionally, at intermission, there will be a live auction will feature original artwork, vacation packages and gourmet dining experiences.
Kermit Ruffins is a New Orleans-based trumpeter, bandleader, singer and songwriter who has been compared to a modern day Louis Armstrong. The Barbecue Swingers were formed in 1992 and the band is aptly named as it reflects the two things for which Ruffins is highly noted — hot jazz and a smokin barbecue. In 1992, Ruffins also made his recording debut as leader with World on a String on the Justice label. For his first album, Ruffins put together an all-star cast of New Orleans musicians including pianist Ellis Marsalis. Over the years, he has penned memorable pieces including “The Big Butter & Egg Man”, “Ill Drink Ta Dat” and “The Undertaker Man” as well as re-recording such tunes as “Struttin with Some Barbecue,” and “Light Up.”
“The outdoor setting of Santana Row is the perfect backdrop for the energy and excitement Kermit Ruffins brings to the stage,” said Geoff Roach, executive director of the San Jose Jazz Society. “Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez Let The Good Times Roll – the motto of the city of New Orleans represents the casual elegance of this event coupled with our tribute to our friends who continue to rebuild their community.”
Sold out for the past three years, the Gala and Concert is the kickoff to one of San Jose’s most popular attractions, the Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival August 18-20 in downtown San Jose.
About the San Jose Jazz Society:
The San Jose Jazz Society is a nonprofit organization with whose annual jazz education and performance programs serve 170,000 youth and adults in Silicon Valley. Programs include, the annual Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival August 17-20, 2006 presented by Southwest Airlines, the annual Sunday Concert Series, Free Summer Jazz at Santana Row, free in-school jazz programs in Silicon Valley Schools, Jazz Goes to College summer camp, the Smith Dobson Youth Stage and the annual Youth Jazz Festival. A mainstay for Bay Area jazz fans, the Festival also helps keep Silicon Valley strong, generating an estimated six million dollars for the downtown San Jose economy.
Attention Calendar Editors:
Who: 17th Annual Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival presented by Southwest Airlines Opening Night Gala and Concert Fundraiser “LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULEZ” featuring Kermit Ruffins
When: Thursday August 17, 2006 Time 6:30-10:00pm
Where: Location: Gala Reception: Park Valencia, Santana Row (near Maggiano’s Little Italy)
Concert will be held in between Borders Bookstore and Diesel
Price: $150 SJJS Members/ $175 Non-Members 10 person table $1500 (with premier seating)
Availability: Contact: San Jose Jazz Society Contact 408-288-7887 ext.2310, Email at rubelynl@sanjosejazz.org Santana Row Concierge 368 Santana Row Suite 1020 San Jose, CA 95128 408-551-4611 srconcierge@federalrealty.com
Media Contact:
Anne Smith
Publicist
408-313-8089
anne@annesmithcommunications.com

This entry was posted on Monday, July 10th, 2006 at 12:52 pm. It is filed under San Jose Jazz Festival. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.