PORT TOWNSEND –– It’s a muggy summer night, and the sounds of saxophones and trumpets echo off the brick walls and cobblestone streets.
So it’s gone for the past 40 years in Port Townsend, as some of the world’s finest jazz musicians have joined together for Centrum’s Jazz Port Townsend.
“Whether you’re a committed jazz fan or someone who’d like to learn more about it, this is your chance to hear our world-class faculty talk about this uniquely American artform,” said Gregg Miller, Centrum’s Jazz Port Townsend program manager.
The weeklong festival and conference culminates this weekend with concerts at Fort Worden and venues throughout the Key City.
This year, more than 230 jazz students from across the country have teamed with jazz greats like Benny Green, Wycliffe Gordon, Ingrid Jensen and many more to hone their horn — and string and drum and piano and vocal — skills.
Jazz Port Townsend began in 1975 when renowned jazz composer Toshiko Akiyoshi accepted Centrum founder Joe Wheeler’s invitation to play Fort Worden and has since grown into Washington’s longest-running summer jazz festival.
The musicians have been toiling in workshops throughout the past week, learning tips from legends and practicing them on their instruments.
“Participants who are here all week at the workshop certainly become a special family through learning, listening and playing together,” artistic director John Clayton said.
Workshop sessions continued through Friday, free and open to the public, and Friday night’s concert featured the Jensen Sisters and Wycliff Gordon and friends at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday afternoon on the McCurdy Pavilion Main Stage has George Cables, Sachal Vasandani and the Centrum All-Star Big Band with Bill Holman at 1:30 p.m., and the Benny Green Trio shares the spotlight with Matt Wilson’s Arts & Crafts ensemble at 7:30 p.m.
For tickets and a complete lineup of Jazz Fest concerts, phone 800-746-1982 or go to www.Centrum.org.
