Guitarist Kevin Eubanks, although a Philadelphia native, personifies the laid-back West Coast style of guitar playing, having performed with The Tonight Show for the past 18 years. Billed as the top headline act of the 2010 Gettysburg Festival, Eubanks performs at the Festival Main Stage at Gettysburg College for an outdoor, evening concert on Saturday, June 26 at 8 p.m. John Pareles in the New York Times describes Eubanks as, “an articulate player with a finely varied attack... light-fingered and percussive--and for all his speed, he plays genuine melodies." Eubanks will be performing with Marvin “Smitty" Smith--drums, Gerry “Dr. J" Etkins--keyboards and Rene Camacho--bass.
The Kevin Eubanks concert is preceded by one of the Festival's themed culinary events, “Blues, Beer and BBQ" at the historic Gettysburg Railroad Station. The event features a classic summertime menu, from Hickory Smoked Beef Brisket and Barbeque Pork Ribs to picnic sides, desserts and Pennsylvania craft beer, set to sounds by one of central Pennsylvania's top blues bands. The June 26 event begins at 5 pm, with tickets ($40) available through the Festival Office at 717-334-0853 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting717-334-0853end_of_the_skype_highlighting or online at gettysburgfestival.org.
Jazz guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli, described as “madly creative" by the Los Angeles Times, exemplifies the East Coast style of guitar work. Hailed as a modern day Nat “King" Cole, Pizzarelli shines and polishes tunes pulled out of the Great American songbook. He performs at Gettysburg's Majestic Theater on Friday, June 25 at 8 p.m. Following the performance, there will also be a reception, “Martini Madness," where audience members will have the opportunity to meet John Pizzarelli. Limited tickets are available to this exclusive event.
Concert tickets are available online at gettysburgfestival.org or by calling the Majestic Theater Box Office at 717-337-8200. Kevin Eubanks tickets are priced at $25 and $40, while Pizzarelli tickets are available at $32, $36 and $40.
The Festival's jazz lineup also includes two outstanding free performances. On Wednesday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m, the sounds of big band music fill the air at the Festival Main Stage with the Buzz Jones Big Band. Considered one of the finest big bands in Central PA, the “BJBB" has been performing regularly for more than 30 years.
Latin Grammy Award winners, Afro Bop Alliance, also plays a free concert at the Festival Main Stage, on Thursday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m. The group, hailing from Annapolis, Maryland, blends rhythms of Cuban and Caribbean influenced jazz. The Washington Post comments on the band's unique sound, “Led by drummer Joe McCarthy, Afro Bop Alliance celebrates CuBop traditions with plenty of assurance, contrasting churning clave rhythms with bursts of vibrant colors."
To put everyone in the island spirit, the Festival presents a culinary event entitled “Caribbean Cookout" at the Main Stage preceding the concert. Tickets ($40) are available through the Festival Office, 717-334-0853 or online at gettysburgfestival.org.
All Festival jazz performances are sponsored by Smooth Jazz 92.7, Central Pennsylvania's Home for Smooth Jazz. Additionally, Martini Madness with John Pizzarelli is sponsored by OPEN MINDS; Blues, Beer and BBQ is sponsored by Capital Blue Cross.
The annual 10-day Gettysburg Festival offers more than 100 events celebrating arts, culture and cuisine. Highlight events include Festival headliner Kevin Eubanks of Tonight Show fame, a live taping of NPR's From the Top; swingin' jazz with John Pizzarelli; the world-famous Boston Brass; more than 20 comedic Gilbert & Sullivan musicals; the magical Cashore Marionettes and much more. More than half of the events are free. For more information, please see gettysburgfestival.org or call 717-334-0853.
