August 6, 2013
By: Brandon E. Roos
Earlier in her life, Kathryn Diamond, who joined our Board of Directors in 2009, was a founding member and regular on-air broadcaster at KCBX, a not-for-profit jazz radio station in San Luis Obispo. A person with a passionate life-long commitment to jazz, Diamond is currently on the Board’s Education Committee, where she works to support and promote the organization’s many jazz education programs for San Jose’s youth. “Jazz is both one of America’s great inventions and …
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August 3, 2013
By Jackie Gage
Marketing Director Massimo Chisessi’s Fest Five is just as eclectic as his lifestyle; his past roles have moved him through the underground art scene of San Francisco, to travels in Italy–where he was immersed in his family’s Italian heritage–and back down to San Jose, where he currently creates and oversees the look, feel, and experience of the festival.
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August 2, 2013
By: Brandon E. Roos
Maybe it was the “Jazzy Fresh” title. Maybe it was the explosion of color and detail across a cotton canvas. Maybe it was the nostalgia the cartoon bassist evoked in our audience. Whatever it was, Rick Cortez’s design was a runaway hit. To get better acquainted with the man behind our winning t-shirt design, which is currently on sale online and will also be available on site our Summer Fest jazz store, Cortez was kind enough …
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September 10, 2012
By: Brandon Roos
Last week, Brad Stone won his seventh award for “Jazz Programmer of the Year, Medium Markets” at the annual Jazz Week Summit. It’s an accolade that speaks volumes about his commitment to both jazz and radio programming, a huge passion of his. A well-known jazz enthusiast, radio host (and chemistry professor), Stone was Summer Fest’s “Jazz Doctor,” providing tailored advice for curious attendees. On the eve of his transition from doctor back to professor, …
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August 16, 2012
By: Brandon Roos
Sunday finally rolled around and the festival mood seemed engaging, relaxing and bittersweet. After two days of great programming, the end of Summer Fest was now near. Eager to catch new highlights, I eased my way into the day, and here’s what I encountered: Terence Blanchard‘s 2pm Main Stage performance had the crowd enthralled. As I walked down the Tech Museum side of Market Street, the scene was mesmerizing. A near silence seemed to sit over …
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August 12, 2012
By: Brandon Roos
What a full day of great performances yesterday! I enjoyed some great food between some wonderful performances. A little sampling: On my way to see local singer Laila Smith on the Silicon Valley Stage, I stopped to hear a bit of Amanda Shaw’s performance on the Main Stage. The crowd was getting energized by her performance — a great way to get the crowd ready for the rest of the day! Smith’s performance was nothing …
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August 5, 2012
By: Brandon E. Roos
The “Jazz Doctor” is in! This year, KSJS Jazz Program Director Dr. Brad Stone will serve as Summer Fest’s resident music expert! Getting his start in radio at WQAX in Bloomington, Indiana while earning his Ph.D, Stone brings with him over 30 years of jazz programming expertise. Actively involved in the local jazz scene, Stone is a member of the San Jose Jazz Advisory Board. He is also on the Board of Directors for the …
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July 30, 2012
By: Brandon E. Roos
Who better to introduce this year’s great Castellano Latin Stage and Kaiser Permanente Salsa Stage acts than the man who booked them, San Jose Jazz board member Arturo Riera. In addition to his role with San Jose Jazz, Riera is co-founder and director of the Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble of San Francisco, co-founding partner for event company Latino Entertainment Partners and is Chair of the Board for San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Arts and Events, producer …
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