Cleveland - Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland is partnering with acclaimed trumpeter Dominick Farinacci to present Songbook Watch Party, a virtual performance space that allows jazz artists around the globe to connect with new audiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The free virtual performances featuring Farinacci and musical guests will be streamed at 7 p.m. Sundays on platforms such as Zoom, Facebook and YouTube. The next show is set for May 10th.
Farinacci’s path to becoming an international recording artist began in his hometown of Solon and the classrooms of Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®). He has released multiple albums, toured the world and become a leading advocate for music education.
“We are thrilled to support this series created by our own Dominick Farinacci,” said Terri Pontremoli, director of Tri-C JazzFest. “Because of his experience, taste and connections to musicians both at home and abroad, we are assured of quality and a wholly unique and innovative way to keep our audience connected.”
The goal of the series is to generate income for artists and provide audiences the spontaneous moments that define shows. Farinacci sees this as a long-term and sustainable strategy to grow musical connections on a consistent, dependable basis.
His guests for the May 10 show include:
• Ken Peplowski, a highly recorded jazz clarinetist with more than 50 albums as soloist and nearly 400 as a sideman.
• Michael Ward-Bergeman, an award-winning accordionist who performed with Yo-Yo Ma and Silk Road Ensemble.
• Lafayette Carthon, a pianist who educates young artists through Carthon Conservatory at Faith Church of Glenville, where he is a pastor.
• Will Blaze, a rising vocalist who gained national recognition while touring with Farinacci.
Future concerts in the Songbook Watch Party series will be announced each week at songbookwatchparty.com. Concerts are free, but registration is required. Viewers can contribute when registering to support the project.
The partnership expands on the College’s commitment to bring arts and culture programming to the community, with Tri-C JazzFest rooted to its mission to educate and nurture the future of jazz.
Planning is also underway by Tri-C JazzFest for a large virtual concert this summer featuring local musicians.
Details will be announced at a later date. Visit tri-cjazzfest.com for more information.
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