February 20, 2015; Monterey, CA; Monterey Jazz Festival and the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa are teaming up again in 2015 for a series of special events to benefit the Festival’s jazz education programs. Four separate “Wine, Dine and Jazz” events will take place at the TusCA Ristorante, and are hosted by chef Steve Johnson. Each event will feature a four-course meal paired with local wines, with special jazz-inspired desserts created by Leigh Zimmerman and Domenick Allen of Monterey Meringues, and served during a live jazz performance by Hyatt jazz director and drummer David Morwood, Monterey Jazz Festival’s Traveling Clinicians, and jazz students from Monterey County schools, hand-selected by the Clinicians.
The first “Wine, Dine and Jazz” will take place on Wednesday, March 11 from 6-9 p.m. at the TusCA Ristorante at Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa at 1 Old Golf Course Road in Monterey, and features Scheid Family Vineyards wines. The cost is $85 per person inclusive. Tickets can be bought online by going to www.winedinejazzmonterey.com
Proceeds from the fundraiser will support the Festival’s local jazz education programs, including the Traveling Clinicians, Summer Jazz Camp, the Instrument Bank, and the County All-Star Bands.
“For over 50 years, the Hyatt Monterey has enjoyed our partnership with the Festival, the artists, and a most loyal fan base. ‘Wine, Dine and Jazz’ is a natural progression of this half-century relationship,” said Steve McNally, general manager of Hyatt Regency Monterey.
“We want to continue this wonderful collaboration with the Hyatt Regency Monterey in fostering jazz and awareness of all of our programs for youth education,” said Paul Contos, Monterey Jazz Festival education director.
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Traveling Clinicians Program in 2014-15, this core education initiative of the Monterey Jazz Festival sends top professional musicians and vocalists to work with over 800 students in 23 schools throughout Monterey County for six monthly clinics during the school year, helping them develop their jazz skills. The clinicians recognize the area’s top players with a place in the Monterey County High School All-Star Band, the Honor Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and the Middle School Honor Band.
Current Traveling Clinicians include trumpeter Peck Allmond, trombonist Robynn Amy, saxophonist Paul Contos, guitarist Bruce Forman, drummer Vince Lateano, saxophonist Gary Meek, pianist Eddie Mendenhall, bassist Scott Steed, and vocalist Michele Weir.
The Traveling Clinicians Program is supported by AT&T, the Bill Graham Supporting Foundation, Community Foundation for Monterey County, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Harden Foundation, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and many individual donors.
About Monterey Jazz Festival
Monterey Jazz Festival, a leader in the jazz world since 1958, celebrates the legacy of jazz, expands its boundaries, and provides opportunities to experience jazz through the creative production of performances and educational programs.
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For more information please contact:
Timothy Orr
Marketing Associate
Monterey Jazz Festival
831.646.8670
[email protected]
www.montereyjazzfestival.org
or
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox Public Relations
831.747.7455
[email protected]
www.chatterboxpr.com