Savannah Music Festival Announces 2011 Lineup


Robert Randolph
Robert Randolph

Savannah Music Festival (SMF) announces the lineup for its 2011 season, an expansive city-wide, multi-venue program showcasing a wide array of internationally acclaimed artists in over one hundred productions.

Held annually in historic downtown Savannah, this 22nd season of Georgia’s largest festival – described by The Times of London as "one of the best events around the world"- features two premieres, numerous festival debuts, and the return of several audience favorites from the realms of classical, jazz, Americana and world music.

In addition to a wealth of concert programming, SMF gives attendees a chance to hit the dance floor with four dance parties – Cuban, Cajun, Funk, and Zydeco music – scheduled throughout the festival.

The 2011 Savannah Music Festival is coming up soon, and features more blues, soul, funk, jazz and R&B artists than ever before. Beginning on March 24th, the festival includes more than 100 concerts in fifteen venues throughout the historic district. Upcoming jazz and R&B programming highlights include:

One of New Orleans’ priceless musical treasures, Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer Allen Toussaint has established himself as one of America’s most influential rhythm and blues artists during a career spanning five decades.

In addition, his songs for and collaborations with The Rolling Stones, The Who, Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney, Aaron Neville, Dr. John, Jerry Garcia, Phish and scores of others have made him one of the most original and in-demand musicians, composers and record producers in the U.S.

Toussaint performs with his outstanding Louisiana-based band in his Savannah debut. Sharing this distinctive SMF double bill is UKSee based R&B singer/guitarist James Hunter, whose latest

Allen Toussaint
Allen Toussaint
recording was produced by Mr. Toussaint. Mr. Hunter’s band produces a rich, classic soul sound that lovers of early R&B and soul shouldn’t miss. SMF 2011 concludes with some down-home funk delivered with authority by one of the genre’s legends… saxophonist Maceo Parker. Best known for his decades groovin’ with James Brown, Parker has continued to play nightly with everyone from George Clinton to Prince, making his name synonymous with the funk sound. And his band is the tightest little funk orchestra on earth. Pedal steel player Robert Randolph is largely responsible for bringing the utterly unique sacred steel gospel tradition to a secular audience. Emerging as a prodigious instrumentalist from the House of God church, Randolph’s powerful performance style has since earned him countless appearances around the world such as the Grammy awards ceremony, a recording project with John Medeski and the Dickinson Brothers (from the North Mississippi All-Stars), and regular touring spots with Eric Clapton.The Savannah Music Festival (SMF) is dedicated to presenting a world-class celebration of the musical arts by creating timeless and adventurous productions that stimulate arts education, foster economic growth, and unite artists and audiences in Savannah. It is Georgia’s largest musical arts event and one of the most distinctive cross-genre music festivals in the world. In addition to an array of musical performances that includes dance, film, and narrative programs, the festival operates year-round to produce youth concerts, lectures, inschool touring programs, recordings, a weekly radio series, an annual high school jazz band competition and festival, and interactive websites.

For more information and a complete lineup listing, visit www.savannahmusicfestival.org.


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