The 2007 Savannah Jazz Festival is "Festival of Firsts"

(SAVANNAH, Georgia) Yes, the Coastal Jazz Association has presented the Savannah Jazz Festival twenty-five times before the 2007 event rolls around in late September. During those many years, the organization has always sought to have a balance between creativity and accessibility. This time around, all the stops have been removed as a series of “firsts" dominate this year's festival.

For the first time, the jazz festival is expanding to Wednesday (Sept 26th) as a full festival evening. Simultaneously with the extra evening, the event is moving to the Savannah Southside--to be held at Armstrong Atlantic State University. Headlining the evening, two jazz legends will be presented together: Bassist, Ben Tucker will be performing along with vocalist, Lynn Roberts. Also on the playbill for Wednesday night will be the Gypsy Jazz group, One Leg Up. This will be the first time that this genre of jazz (a form of music based primarily on the jazz expressions of Django Reinhardt) has been presented as part of the festival.

Friday night is also is a night of firsts for more than one reason. Most significantly, for the first time, the Savannah Jazz Festival is presenting a night entirely composed of Contemporary Jazz. Headlining the evening is perhaps the most popular group in modern jazz, The Yellowjackets. Friday evening also has been designated as “Military Appreciation Night" at the festival. During these times when brave men and women are answering the call to duty, to possibly make the ultimate sacrifice, the Coastal Jazz Association is paying honor to those who are serving. As part of this, CJA has partnered with Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University to offer $1,000 tuition assistance for their university, to an Active Duty or Reserve, Air National Guard, Coast Guard, or an Active Duty military spouse, or Veteran. The drawing to determine the winner of the tuition assistance will be held between Friday's jazz performances.

The Savannah Jazz Festival is pleased to have joined forces with the downtown jazz venue, Kokopelli's, to host the festival Kick-off, Monday and Tuesday's concerts, as well as the nightly “after-festival" jazz jams. Both partners in this musical venture hope that this will be only the first of countless collaborations between the two Savannah jazz institutions.

For the first time in the history of the festival, Sunday's Youth Festival will be part of “Harmony for Humanity." Harmony for Humanity is an internationally recognized series of musical events presented annually, to pay tribute to Daniel Pearl--the Wall Street Journal reporter who was kidnapped and killed in 2002 by terrorists in Pakistan. Mr. Pearl was a classically trained violinist, an avid fiddler and a mandolin player who used his passion for music to form friendships across cultural and verbal divides.

Mr. Pearl lived a life that knew no geographical boundaries, with a spirit that knew no prejudice. He joined musical groups in every community in which he lived, leaving behind a long trail of musician- friends around the globe. Around his October 10th birthday, musicians around the world reach out in friendship to join in “Harmony for Humanity." This year, this tribute to peace without prejudice will be the underlying theme of Sunday's Youth Festival.

It appears that the only thing that isn't a first about the 2007 Savannah Jazz Festival is the week in September that the event will be held. As always, the festival takes place the last full-week in September (23rd - 30th). And--of course--the outstanding quality of the music!

This year, like every year since it's beginning, the Savannah Jazz Festival strives to remain artistically fresh while at the same time paying homage to the historical foundation of the music. This balancing of topical and tradition is perhaps why the Savannah Jazz Festival is one of the most important and influential jazz events on the Southeast Coast. Whether you are an aural sophisticate or someone who just wants to settle in for a fantastic week of music, food and fun, the Savannah Jazz Festival is right around the corner.