Juneau, Alaska (KINY) – Juneau Jazz & Classics (JJ&C) is shaking things up and deepening its community involvement with some very exciting projects.
JJ&C experimented for several years with a two-festival format, bringing artists to Juneau for both a Spring and Fall Festival.
After some consideration it was decided that the single longer Festival in the spring had the most profound impact on the community, allowing artists to stay for an extended residency and connect in more meaningful ways with schools and community organizations.
Juneau will still get their live music fix throughout the year as JJ&C plans to continue bringing professional artists to Juneau for one-off events.
As if to prove their dedication to bringing professional musicians to the community, JJ&C immediately announces a transcendent musical experience on Feb. 12 with Danielle Talamantes, soprano, and Henry Dehlinger, pianist.
They will serenade and captivate Juneau with their superb voice and interpretation of some of history’s most beloved love songs and poems.
Tickets are on sale now for An Evening of Romance, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Juneau Arts & Culture Center (JACC).
Another significant change is in the works as JJ&C partners with the Juneau School District music programs to create a Juneau Jazz Fest with the singular focus being on jazz.
“When Mike Bucy [Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School band teacher] asked JJ&C to help make Jazz Fest happen this year, it was a no-brainer,” Executive Director Sandy Fortier said. “Our mission has always been about creating adventurous and enlightening musical experiences. We’re thrilled to help bring these incredible jazz artists into the schools and bring the kids an atmosphere of creativity and fun around making music.”
You can purchase tickets now to the newly established Juneau Jazz Fest, Feb. 8-10.
The Kyle Athayde Dance Party will travel around to Juneau schools coaching the next generation of musicians.
There are multiple opportunities for the public to engage with Juneau Jazz Fest, from free concerts at the State Office Building and the Mendenhall Valley Library, free music clinics at Thunder Mountain High School, and ticketed concerts that will showcase local musicians, middle and high school ensembles, and the Kyle Athayde Dance Party.
You can learn more about the calendar of events and purchase tickets at www.jazzandclassics.org.
