LIHU‘E — For the fifth year, Kaua‘i will be graced with some extraordinary talent performing what many call the quintessential American musical style: jazz.
Judy Arrigo has been instrumental in forming and organizing the Red Clay Jazz Festival since its inception in 2008. She said what makes this festival unique is that it does not feature just one major entertainer from the Mainland.
“We bring a mix that provides a broad spectrum of jazz,” she said. “We bring nationally known artists, up-and-coming artists and a local artist.”
Now she promises a sweet surprise, making this year’s festival the best one yet. The festival will offer blues for the first time.
“We’re evolving every year,” Arrigo said. “Last year we brought young folks just emerging as exceptional jazz musicians from the Berklee School of Music. We bring in artists that have perfected their style and performed for a while, and this year we’re bringing in a nationally known blues artist.”
And if amazing jazz and blues alone weren’t enough, spectators get to enjoy the music on a setting with spectacular ocean views at the festival’s grand finale at Kaua‘i Lagoons Resort near Kalapaki Bay.
The festival began Wednesday with free performances at the Kaua‘i Marriott’s Aupaka Bar in Kalapaki and at St. Regis Resort in Princeville.
On Thursday, there was another free performance at Aupaka Bar.
On Saturday the festival hits its highest note, with a six-hour event at Lani Maile at Kaua‘i Lagoons Resort, rain or shine.
The gates open at 3 p.m., and an hour later local band The Kirk Smart Quartet beginning the show. At 5:15 p.m., Vanessa Collier and the Berklee Student All-Stars take the stage, with a mix of sax, bass and drums.
At 6:30 p.m., Venissa Santi Sextet — Afro Cuban Holiday follow up. Venissa’s eclectic upbringing — listening to Ravel, Celia Cruz and Michael Jackson, according to her bio — resulted in her majoring in jazz vocal performance.
Miss E.C. Scott closes the night, taking the stage at 9 p.m. with her “warm, inviting voice and a delivery that can be smooth and sultry one minute and sassy and sexy the next,” states the Red Clay Jazz website.
Tickets to Saturday’s event can be purchased at 245-7464 or at www.redclayjazz.org until 10 p.m. today for $40. Tickets are also available at Picture Plus in Kukui Grove Center, Magic Dragon at Princeville Center, Island Soap and Candle in Koloa, Kaua‘i Music and Sound in Kapa‘a and Aloha-n-Paradise in Waimea. Tickets will be available at the event for $50.
