[78-L] Centennial?

[Andrew Homzy]

To which I shout -

Nanaimo may be the only place in the world to celebrate this birthday. 
What do you say to that, New Orleans, Chicago, New York . . . ?

For immediate release: Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Nanaimo Celebrates Jazz 100th Birthday

NANAIMO -  On Sunday, February 26,  Nanaimo’s Port Theatre will host Canada’s only celebration of the 100th birthday of recorded jazz.

25  jazz musicians, including James McRae’s Black / Lister / McRae Trio;  Andrew Homzy’s NOLA NightHawks;  and the Nanaimo Jazz Jam, Inc. will include some musical surprises in the Gala Concert.

February 26, 1917 was the actual day, 100 years ago, of the first “Jass" recording.”  February is also Black History month, and the hit song ‘Darktown Strutters Ball” by African-Canadian composer Shelton Brooks was among those historic recordings made in 1917. 

“We’re  celebrating  both Canada-150 and Jazz-100” says Andrew Homzy.  Nanaimo built an Opera House in 1879, and became a  Cultural Capital of Canada in 2012.  “We’re  building on that rich history by bringing professional jazz to Nanaimo’s downtown venues and public spaces  - including Diana Krall Plaza”.

Produced by the Nanaimo International Jazz Festival Association in partnership with the TD Bank, the City of Nanaimo, the Nanaimo Foundation and the Hospitality Association,  this Birthday Gala kicks off a series of events leading up to a three-day downtown Nanaimo Jazz Festival in September.
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More Information:  Nanaimo International Jazz Festival Association                                    				Phone:  250-667-0238   Email:   <Andrew.Homzy at gmail.com <mailto:Andrew.Homzy at gmail.com>>

Tickets:            $30    Port Theatre <http://www.porttheatre.com/events/feb-2017/nanaimo-celebrates-jazz-100th-birthday/>  or Fascinating Rhythm, 51 Commercial Street
Members <http://www.nanaimojazzfest.ca/>          $25    With “coupon code”. [ Memberships available at NanaimoJazzFest.ca <http://nanaimojazzfest.ca/>  ]
VIU students    $15       High school     $5

NOLA Nighthawks:         www.homzy.ca <http://www.homzy.ca/> 
Black-Lister-McRae Trio:  http://www.jamesmcrae.ca/videos <http://www.jamesmcrae.ca/videos>