EDITOR'S PICK: SAVANNAH MUSIC FESTIVAL 2013

By Antoine du Rocher

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, 22 MARCH 2013 — While the rest of America continues to debate the meaning of "The New South", the local arts community in Savannah, Georgia simply gets on with it. Held annually at venues around Savannah's downtown historic district, the Savannah Music Festival, is not only the state of Georgia’s largest festival, but one of the world's most seductive cross genre events. After all, who else pairs some of the best in classical, jazz, Americana and world music with dance floor parties featuring Cuban, Cajun, Funk, and Zydeco music.

Known as New Orleans’ favorite son and the physician of voodoo funk, legendary
singer and pianist Dr. John (or Mac Rebennack to friends and family)

With an eye on contemporary performance art, however, the 2013 festival kicks off with the innovative Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company from New York in their Savannah debut (23 March). A MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship recipient, choreographer Bill T. Jones often asks hard yet subtle questions about patriotism, honour, sacrifice, duty and loyalty in a world threatened by nationalistic fervour and spiritual righteousness.

Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company

Other 2013 highlights include pianists Ahmad Jamal, Aaron Diehl and Jermey Denk, kora master Ballaké Sissoko (one of Mali's most renowned musicians), jazz vocalist Jane Monheit, Louisiana Voodoo rockers Dr. John and the Night Trippers, Old Crow Medicine Show, Charles McPherson Quartet, Walter Blanding Septet, Fadista Ana Moura, violinist Daniel Hope, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Cajun bluesman Tab Benoit, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in the world premiere of a new piano concerto for jazz trio by Marcus Roberts, Lee Fields & the Expressions, Italian violinist Lorenza Borrani, fiddlers Bruce Molsky and Darol Anger, Mandolinist Mike Marshall and fiddler Darol Anger,René Marie Quartet, Red Stick Ramblers, reggae music's The Wailers, cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han the Aaron Diehl Trio with special guests, including trombonist Wycliffe Gordon and trumpeter Terell Stafford.

Illustrator Brian Stauffer's poster for the Savannah Music Festival 2013
available at the Festival or online.

What's to eat inSavannah?

For Culturekiosque's restaurant reviews of Old and New South style restaurants in Savannah, Georgia such as the Olde Pink House, and 700 Drayton, housed in a Victorian mansion opposite Forsyth Park – the park made famous by John Berendt’s best-seller and movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil — please click here.

Savannah Music Festival 2013
20 March - 6 April 2013
Savannah, GA 31401
U.S.A.
Box Office Tel: (1) 912 525 5050
www.savannahmusicfestival.org

Headline image: Trombonist Wycliffe Gordon

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