JAZZ FESTIVAL REDISCOVERS ITS ROOTS

Downtown Bellevue celebrates the return of the Bellevue Jazz Festival with a string of concerts from April 9 through May 24. World-renowned saxophonist Branford Marsalis will headline the festival with a concert May 23 at Meydenbauer Center.

For the past seven years, the Bellevue Downtown Association (BDA) has produced a popular springtime series of six free Wednesday night jazz concerts featuring many of the region’s best artists. The association is now taking a lead role to expand the series and create a festival that showcases national and regional talent and educates emerging audiences.

“We’re designing a festival that will take root in 2008, grow in 2009 and mature into a major Memorial Day weekend event that will draw enthusiasts from throughout the Northwest,” said BDA President Leslie Lloyd. “Adding the Branford Marsalis Quartet is an important step to nurture the event and add a more dynamic jazz experience in our city.”

Leading up to the Memorial Day weekend concerts, this year’s festival will include six free Wednesday night concerts in Downtown Bellevue venues.

“Downtown Bellevue is an ideal spot for growing a major jazz festival,” said Greta Matassa, a Seattle-based jazz vocalist and regular performer in Downtown Bellevue. Matassa will perform at a May 14 free concert at Civica Office Commons.

Bellevue's formal jazz history dates back to 1978 when Bellevue Community College first hosted a festival. Honoring this tradition and bringing jazz back in festival form is a primary aim of the BDA.

To accomplish this, the BDA brought together a cast of more than 20 jazz experts to help guide programming for the festival.

Bellevue Jazz Festival details, as well as ticket information, are available at bellevuejazz.com.