JAZZ FESTIVAL REDISCOVERS ITS ROOTS IN DOWNTOWN BELLEVUE

National and local jazz stars led the revival of the Bellevue Jazz Festival for a series of free and ticketed performances in Downtown Bellevue, April 9 through May 24, 2008.

World-renowned saxophonist and three-time Grammy winner Branford Marsalis headlined the festival with a concert May 23 at Meydenbauer Center. The Spanish Harlem Orchestra, a 13-member Latin jazz ensemble and Grammy winner, perform a sizzling Latin jazz dance set May 24 at Meydenbauer Center.

For the past seven years, the Bellevue Downtown Association (BDA) has produced a popular springtime series of six free Wednesday night jazz concerts featuring many of the region’s best artists. The association is now taking a lead role to expand the series and create a festival that showcases national and regional talent and educates emerging audiences.

“We’re designing a festival that will take root in 2008, grow in 2009 and mature into a major Memorial Day weekend event that will draw enthusiasts from throughout the Northwest,” said BDA President Leslie Lloyd. “Adding the Branford Marsalis Quartet and Spanish Harlem Orchestra to the lineup are an important steps to nurture the event and add a more dynamic jazz experience in our city.”

Leading up to the Memorial Day weekend concerts, this year’s festival included six free Wednesday night concerts in Downtown Bellevue venues. “Downtown Bellevue is an ideal spot for growing a major jazz festival,” said Greta Matassa, a Seattle-based jazz vocalist and regular performer in Downtown Bellevue. Matassa performed at a May 14 free concert at Civica Office Commons.

Bellevue's jazz festival history dates back to 1978 when the City of Bellevue first hosted the Bellevue Jazz Festival at Bellevue Community College. Honoring this tradition and bringing jazz back in festival form is a primary aim of the BDA. To accomplish this, the BDA brought together a cast of more than 20 jazz experts to help guide programming for the festival.