HILTON HEAD — Bob Masteller’s Jazz for All Ages Jazz Fest is returning to the Lowcountry for the 11th year to showcase the talent of Grammy Award-winning musicians and rising stars alike.
At the Sonesta Resort, Oct. 12-13, The Junior Jazz Foundation will host its annual festival and largest single fundraiser for its programs. One such program that benefits from festival proceeds is the Hilton Head Jazz Camp, which welcomes over 100 students each summer.
“Last year, we had an all-star lineup of just great jazz heavyweights that, normally, we would have to probably travel a little bit to see, but we bring them right here on the south end of Hilton Head,” said David Masteller, co-director of the festival alongside Kelli Lesch.
This year’s lineup is plenty star-studded, too, headlined by the Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band with Lisa Fischer, performing “Celebrating All Things Ellington: The Music, The Legacy, The Legend” and René Marie and Experiment in Truth, performing “Jump in the Line! A Musical Celebration of Harry Belafonte.”
The festival will include two jazz brunches, the first with Brittany Turnipseed, performing “Gospel Soul Meets Jazz Elegance” and the second with Edwin G. Hamilton, performing “Unforgettable: A Tribute to Nat King Cole.”
VIP ticket holders have access to additional receptions with the Mark Rapp Group and the Howard Paul Trio.
Opening for the headliners both nights are the Junior Jazz Rising Stars, a band of six early-career musicians. The Junior Jazz Rising Stars are selected to perform at the festival, and often students who have been impacted by the foundation.