It’s fitting that the fifth annual Big Island Jazz & Blues Festival goes down at the elegant Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. This understated and stylish resort provides an excellent backdrop for music and musicians. Their luau grounds are nestled under the branches of huge trees, the trunks of which provide the natural main stage background. The beach spans for miles off to the south, while the blue Pacific never seems to end. Just minutes to the north of the property is where King Kamehameha lived with his wives and children. It’s here, along the Northwest Hawaii Coast, that jazz and blues will thrive, pulse and jam for four days.
“The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is honored to host the Big Island Jazz & Blues Festival for the fifth time,” said Craig Anderson, General Manager of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. “We understand the importance of the arts and are privileged to be able to assist with bringing the festival back to the island for all to enjoy.”
You may not describe yourself as a jazz follower; you may not claim to be a fan of the blues. But you really don’t have to. A pilgrimage here only requires that you appreciate music. The players come together and create a one-of-a-kind fusion. You get to witness music in the making. Jazz & Blues Festival Founder Ken Martinez Burgmaier says this is a fundamental part of the popularity of his festivals.
“Following the success of over 10 years of music and cultural festivals in Maui, Molokai and Lanai and the Big Island, Jazz Alley TV and HawaiiONTV.com is honored to host our fifth annual Big Island Jazz & Blues festival music festival with such incredible artists performing for the Big Island community,” he says. “Music and the arts is vital to every community and we are humbled to have such an extraordinary opportunity to bring this particular group of historic jazz and blues artists to Hawaii Island. Each year our Big Island Jazz & Blues Fest is a sold-out magical event that people are still talking about. For me to create a festival of America’s original music art form, is an honor.”
To get a taste of the New Orleans Jazz scene on the big island the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is offering a special accommodations packages. To make reservations, call 866-774-6236 and ask for the Big Island Jazz & Blues Festival package rate.
Starting Thursday, you can catch local Na Hoku Hanohano artists performing alongside Mainland jazz and blues legends. The lineup includes Donald Harrison (who is also from the HBO series Treme), vocalist and trumpet master, Skip Martin from Kool & The Gang & Dazz Ban, Grammy-nominated Zydecko master Corey Ledet from New Orleans, Saturday Night Live Band trombone and conch shell master Steve Turre, Blues Hall of Fame Inductee Jimmy D. Lane, Na Hoku winner and jazz guitar master Benny Uyetake from Hilo and the Jazz Alley TV Trio.
Big Island Jazz and Blues Festival Schedule of Events
Thursday, June 2
Red Water Cafe – Waimea, 6-9pm
Jazz & Blues Festival Kick Off Dinner Show featuring the Jazz Alley TV Trio. Special guest performances. Call 808-885-9299 for reservations. Limited seating.
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, 6-9pm
Free live jazz at the Copper Bar
Friday, June 3
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, 6-9pm
Sunset Jazz and Blues with pupu and cocktail reception, oceanfront on the beach. Meet the artists and get a sneak peek performance of these jazz and blues legends. Limited seating. $40. Reservations required, call 808-882-5810.
Saturday, June 4
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, 5-9pm
The fifth annual Big Island Jazz & Blues Festival at the beautiful oceanfront stage at the Luau Grounds. Advance tickets: $50 general and $100 VIP. Festival tickets are available at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Call 808-882-5810, go online at Bigislandjazzanbluesfestival.com or get them at the festival itself. No outside food, coolers or chairs allowed.
Sunday, June 5
JazzFest Brunch at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel: 11:30am-2pm
Live Jazz Brunch with jazz guitar by Benny Uyetake, plus special jazz and blues guests.
Manta Ocean Front Restaurant. Call 808-882-5810 for reservations
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