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Monday, February 8, 2010
International Jazz Festival coming to Dallas
An underground movement surfaces to reveal a festival four years in the making that could change the international perspective of the Dallas arts scene.
DALLAS — Keith Hill has been toiling away at a passion project since 2006. He's driven by a vision of how Dallas culture can impact the world at large and what that could mean for our community. Uptown Jazz Dallas, LLC is just now surfacing now on Twitter and Facebook, as well as the soft launch of a presently-exclusive social network designed to aid in the collaboration and organization of the largest, most upscale festival the city (and most of the country, for that matter) has seen. While local festival NX35 is cleverly tail-coating Austin's SXSW (and enjoying an encouraging amount of buzz of its own merit), Keith Hill sets his sights on an even larger scale.
"We aren't competing with Austin City Limits or anything in Texas," Hill said. "This is an international jazz festival like those in Monterey or Montreal."
And it's not just about the jazz. Uptown Jazz International is Dallas' first music, food, fashion, and arts festival. Dallas is rich in each of these areas, and Hill believes the time is right for the world to know. Featuring talent across multiple mediums will attract culture buffs from around the globe and spotlight Dallas as a hub for upscale entertainment -- and potentially bring business to the city (and the lofty dreams instilled in many minds with the recent opening of the Dallas Arts District). In fact, this would be the perfect use of that very pretty, though as yet quiet, part of town.
Obviously, this is no small feat. But this has been cooking underground for years, driven by a tight-knit and passionately-driven community of artists and businesses that believe in the potentiality of Dallas -- and in establishing Dallas as a jazz mecca.
To make the most of the community focus, Uptown Jazz Dallas quietly launched a social network (presently by invitation only), to help organize the most passionate and dedicated supporters of this vision while they work out the kinks and make the most of their growing resources. The organization has only been on wider networks like Twitter and Facebook for a week or so, and they are already attracting hundreds of followers and popping up on the radar of news organizations eager to see what this is all about.
Additionally, Uptown Jazz has established a year-round promotion division called Jazz Up Underground. (Their first event is Roy Hargrove's appearance this weekend at Sandaga). They are working on projects around the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including the establishment of a smaller festival in Lancaster and party tours to venues like Sandaga -- whom they began working with based on Sandaga's commitment to the culture of jazz in Dallas and in their steadfast involvement in the musical education of the surrounding community. Uptown Jazz holds the potential to not only catalyze the creative community and bring business to the city, but to likewise invest these resources into music programs in surrounding school districts ever facing the loss of funding for the arts.
Uptown Jazz International has also partnered up with Savor Dallas to capture the cream of the foodie crop.
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Pop icon Peter Max exhibits paintings at the Crescent Hotel this summer
"humbleness"??????
Um, Mr. Means (reporter), your fourth-grade English teacher is going to smack yo
clavejazz, anonymous:
i dig i dig
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jwdineline, anonymous:
This will be the catalyst that can bring the Arts District alive. And, with Keith Hill involved, it will be first-class entertainment and a well run operation.
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crisman, anonymous:
Yes! I am beside myself in anticipation. This is going to be massive for the Dallas scene.
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Travis Bush, verified:
Will definitely be looking for additional info!
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crisman, anonymous:
You'll find it here, Travis. You know how obsessive-compulsive I am about jazz coverage.
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Travis Bush, verified:
Sarah, we all appreciate your OCD very much!
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Michael Schaefer, verified:
Very cool. Thanks for the info. I love International Jazz Fest in Lafayette. I'd love to see something like that here.
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TJ Callaway, verified:
Cool! I have always thought that with the wealth of talent in Dallas and one of the best jazz schools in the country in our backyard we should have a festival like this.
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MJoh45, anonymous:
This is going to be HUGE and a tremendous event for jazz enthusiasts and music lovers alike...! Keith Hill has a tremendous and Powerful FORCE behind him on this! All the naysayers are going to regret not jumping on the bandwagon. Anticipation!!!!
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Paul Riddell, anonymous:
I'm all for it. As much as I regret to say this, as the first couple of years were wonderful, but the Jazz on the Boulevard event in Fort Worth has been turning into a joke for the last five years, and it's actually quite funny that Dallas could outshine it without too much effort.
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Rick Yost, verified:
This is really great! Yes, please, somebody with some sense and access to some bucks find a way to 1) highlight the tremendous jazz talent here in North Texas, and 2) showcase in general some real JAZZ!!!
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mdwords, anonymous:
This is exactly what Dallas needs! It is totally lacking a strong jazz presence. Looking forward to the festival becoming a world class event!
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plee4757, anonymous:
This is great! There is so much hidden talent here in Dallas that really need to be recognized! Talking about booming the economy, way to go Keith Hill! Productivity with enthusiasium! Always give God the Praise and thanks to those who are helping to make this a huge success! Love my jazz!
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Keith Hill, verified:
I wanted to chime in and say thank you to Sarah and PegasusNews.com for caring enough to highlight what's happening with our project. This project is such a blessing that I couldn't hold back my personal excitement any longer. And, judging by the response, the timing for this project couldn't be better. This is a well thought production too. So, I can't wait.
I really believe that the time is right for Uptown Jazz Dallas and that our city is ready to host an international jazz festival of this caliber. Just think, our focus is on music, food, fashion and the arts. Our city and the world is full of creativity in these areas. And, I truly believe that the vision for Uptown Jazz Dallas is the perfect vehicle to showcase all of this.
@Rick. There's definitely going to true jazz presentation. Just know that the programming will also include Jazz, Latin/Afro-Cuban, Reggae, Nu-Jazz/Neo-SOUL and African/World. So, we'll be spewing great music everywhere. And, be partnering with venues all over the metroplex, in addition to, the festival site itself. More on that at a later day though.
For anyone that is a music, food, fashion and arts enthusiast, you can join the 'soft-launch' and be on the social network by sending your request to corporate@uptownjazzdallas.com or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/UptownJazzFest and facebook
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73leoevents, anonymous:
I'm anxiously waiting! This will be great for Dallas, and will provide an opportunity to showcase some wonderful talent. Without a doubt, this event will be first class with a plethora of jazz entertainment to satisfy all.
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chasitiehill, anonymous:
This is great news for jazz lovers all over DFW! I'm so happy and excited about this festival and the artist who will perform!!! Praise the Lord, and may God continue to lead Uptown Jazz Dallas!!! Great article
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msdavinadb, anonymous:
WOW, its about time! This will be just what the doctor ordered.
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Tracy Yost, verified:
awesome
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Raynette, anonymous:
I wait with bated breath...let's do this thing, Dallas! Way to pique our interest, Ms. Crisman!
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ameykptrucking, anonymous:
We are So. Cali natives that moved here to the DFW area almost 2 years ago this March. We are avid Jazz fans and couldn't believe that a city as big and divers as Dallas did not have an annual Jazz Venue liken to Pasadena, Long Beach and Playboy Jazz Fest in So. Cali that we so enjoyed and truly miss! We look forward with MUCH anticipation to this long overdue Jazz venue in Dallas and believe that it will be on the level as the So Cali Jazz venues or even greater!
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kathleenleos, anonymous:
I know several jazz musicians- credible and funders but need an invitation to join your group
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Keith Hill, verified:
Hi Kathleen. Send email requests to join the network to corporate@uptownjazzdallas.com . We'd love to have everyone who love's the arts to join us. Send the request today! :)
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trinity4999, anonymous:
This is definitely a blessing for Dallas. Thanks to you Keith Hill for the vision God gave you to bless the metroplex with great jazz. I remember how sad I was when we lost the smooth jazz station years ago. This is great news for me! I LOVE IT!! Now, let's get back our smooth jazz radio station.
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for5forfour, anonymous:
I think that it will be a great opportunity & or experience for everyone. Thank you. Sharon.
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apaul23, anonymous:
I am really excited to see what this festival will bring to the Dallas arena of artists as well as abroad...this couldn't come at a better time...
EXCITED!!!
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cedgepr, anonymous:
It would be a wonderful thing to spread the word of one of the oldest art forms, after being raised in a Jazz environment, around my father, Jazz Guitar legend Mundell Lowe, I think the city as a hole would benefit greatly.
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nikebballref, anonymous:
Just recently moved here from Los Angeles and Im missing smooth jazz so much, the concerts and festivals and 94.7 The Wave! Any suggestions on where I can go hear some good jazz? Thanks
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What do you think?