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Durham Readies Weekend Jazz Festival
Written by Michael Papich   
Wednesday, 22 April 2015 16:08

DURHAM - Jazz lovers in the Triangle will have plenty to do near their home this weekend as Durham kicks off its second Art of Cool jazz festival. And this year, festival president Cicely Mitchell says Art of Cool is bringing in some very big headliners in underground jazz.

"We've got Roy Ayers, who's our legendary headliner, a vibraphonist who is known as the 'Godfather of Neo-Soul,'" Mitchell says. "We also have Charlotte's own Anthony Hamilton who will be doing 'Coming From Where I'm From,' his classic album, in its entirety."

Mitchell says she's most excited by Hamilton and says this is a special musical moment for Durham to have.

"I think that him being able to perform his classic album for us, and its his first time doing it, is very humbling," Mitchell says. "We're humbled that he would choose our festival to do something like that."

Other jazz acts at the Art of Cool festival include the Grammy-winners such as the Robert Glasper Trio, Snarky Puppy, and the Kenny Garrett Quintet.

While the festival is now bringing in big names in jazz, Mitchell says Art of Cool as an idea had small beginnings together with local jazz musician Al Strong.

"We started Art of Cool to provide a platform for local jazz artists to connect with a community that loves jazz and soul music," she says. "We started in small, local art galleries, almost like a pop-up jazz club, on third Fridays which is typically art walk days here in Durham."

The Art of Cool Festival will go from Friday to Sunday this weekend with events all across the downtown area.

"We'll have free programming outdoors at some of the stages like American Tobacco and on Parrish Street and Durham Central Park," she says. "But we'll also be presenting our headliners at the Durham Armory, at the Durham Athletic Park, the Durham Arts Council, Pinhook and Motorco."

Schedules, tickets, and more information is available at aocfestival.org.

 
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