Contact: Colleen Roche or Jack Deacy (212) 788-2958
"For more than a century, Greenwich Village has been a great center for jazz with legendary clubs and concert halls, and impromptu jazz in the parks and on the sidewalks," said Mayor Giuliani. "The Panasonic Festival gives New Yorkers and tourists a chance to sample great jazz at free concerts and affordably priced clubs."
The third annual Festival has returned to Greenwich Village -- the world capital of jazz -- for 10 days and nights of music, dance, films, art and poetry at more than 20 locations throughout the area. Of the eleven major events featured between August 17 and August 26, six are free to the public and many of the remaining admission prices range from just five to ten dollars. A free jazz shuttle bus is being provided by the Festival to make club-hopping easier and more accessible to all jazz aficionados.
"The Panasonic Village Jazz Festival goes beyond a simple concert series," said Festival producer James Browne. "Its goal is to provide free and affordable entertainment while integrating jazz with other artistic forms, including dance, literature and visual arts as well as with gospel and traditional world music."
The 1996 line-up is highlighted by performances from some of the world's best and brightest international jazz stars, including Tania Maria, Terri Thornton, David Murray, Kenny Garrett, Herbie Hancock and a host of others. Participating clubs include Arthur's Tavern, the Blue Note, 55 Bar, Bradley's, the Knitting Factory, the Knickerbocker, Small's, Sweet Basil, the Village Vanguard, Visiones and Zinno.
For more information on the Festival call (212) 929-5149.