Jazz Maui 2013 Events All Week

By Vanessa Wolf

Jazz musician Tommy James. Courtesy photo.

“If you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know.” ― Louis Armstrong

In celebration of America’s original musical art form, Jazz Maui 2013 features instructional workshops for students and performances by visiting and local professional jazz musicians.

Concert events kick off this Wednesday, July 3 at 5:30 p.m. with a benefit concert for Arts Education for Children Group and Mana‘o Radio.

MACC presents an evening of world class jazz featuring a performance by award-winning pianist Tommy James, music director of the Duke Ellington Orchestra for the past nine years.

The Louisiana-based Louis Romanos Quartet (LRQ) will play original music based on both traditional and modern jazz, interweaving Latin, bebop, and New Orleans street-beat rhythms. Also on stage will be trumpeter Jim Seeley and alto saxophonist Peter Brainin of the Arturo O’Farrill Latin Jazz Orchestra.

The concert will be held in the McCoy Studio Theater and tickets are $25.

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On Thursday, take in the annual Fourth of July Concert on the Park Library Lawn in Lahaina.

Beginning at 4:30 p.m., the Maui Community Band, under the direction of Lisa Owen and assistant conductors Lance Jo, Ted Manzano, and Stephen Rodrigues, will be presenting a free program which includes Sousa marches, Broadway tunes, musicals, a John Williams medley, and a smattering of patriotic songs.

As tradition dictates, the “1812 Overture” and “Stars and Stripes Forever” will lead into the fireworks show.

One of the highlights of the program, the “Ultimate Patriotic Sing-Along” lets the audience sing along to some of America’s best loved patriotic songs.

Maui celebrity vocalist Jerry Eiting will be leading the sing-along and is also the featured vocalist of the Star Spangled Banner during the fireworks display.

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On Friday, July 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Whalers Village in Ka’anapali, enjoy a free afternoon concert featuring UH Maui Institute of Hawaiian Music students and cameo performances by the Lois Romano Quartet and the Tommy James Trio.

Concurrently and immediately following that will be “Pau Hana Jazz.”

From 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. vocalist Ellen Bellerose and pianist Shiro Mori will perform for free at the Kahana Grill.

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On Saturday July 6 at 5 p.m. at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Kapalua is “For the Love of Maui,” a concert fundraiser for the newly named Mālama Maui Nui (formerly Community Work Day Program).

In accordance with its new jazzier name and in conjunction with the Arts Education for Children Group and Jazz Maui 2013, the concert will feature a variety of jazz musicians.

The lineup of local and visiting music professionals includes the Gene Argel Latin Band, Louis Romanos Quartet, Tommy James, Jim Seeley, Peter Brainin, and a special guest performer.

In addition to live music, attendees can anticipate visual and live performance by ArtCore Maui – the co-producers of Maui’s last three Art MiXX events, a silent auction, environmental education, and a native and edible plant sale.

Tickets are available for $25.

Please note that children under 12 are free, but there is a 8 p.m. curfew for anyone “underage,” which we presume means 21 but maybe means 18. Or 12. Hard to say.

Regardless, for the rest of us, the event will last until 10 p.m.

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Lastly, on Sunday, July 7 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., take in the Sunset Jazz Concert.

This free event features the Mike Buono Trio and will be occurring at Whalers Village in Kaanapali.

Have an idea for a fun or thought-provoking story or topic? Get in touch: we want to hear from you. -Vanessa (@mauinow.com)