We are proud to announce the 7th annual Austin LuluFest 2024, "where the traditions meet the progressives, and all the leaders are women." Entitled "The Art of the Duo," LuluFest 2024 features four duo performances, beginning with Houston-based jazz vocalist Danielle Reich, joined by her partner, guitarist Bruce Saunders, performing music from their as-yet-untitled upcoming release. Pianist Juliana Silveria, who was a part of the rich music scene of São Paulo, Brazil, before moving to Austin to complete her masters degree in Jazz Piano Performance, will perform next, along with her husband, James Suter, bass. The third performer is vocalist Pamela Hart, a pillar of the Austin jazz community and co-producer of the annual Women in Jazz Concert Series; she will be joined by colleague Peggy Stern, piano. Celebrated Bay Area tenor saxophonist Kristen Strom will lead the final duo of the evening, performing with her husband, guitarist Scott Sorkin. The Estrella All-Star Band will perform the final set from 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm, featuring Kristen, James, Bruce, Peggy, Scott, & drummer Masumi Jones.
From Artistic Director Peggy Stern: “This way of making music has been close to my heart, for many years, and for many reasons. During my years touring with the late great alto saxophonist Lee Konitz, we were often presented as a duo. With two people making music together, it becomes a conversation between peers. That requires sensitivity, humor, mutual respect, and empathy, It requires listening and communication, certainly something we could use more of.”
The festival is modeled after the Ritenuto Foundation’s Wall Street Jazz Festival in Kingston, NY, which was an annual festival of women-led bands “where the traditions meet the progressives, and all the leaders are women,” and ran for 12 years. LuluFest expands on that idea to encompass not only jazz, but Latin and Western Swing, thereby broadening its appeal to the greater Austin audience.
This is not a women’s festival; on the contrary, most of the bands include men. The principle behind the festival is that the women leaders and their concepts of music are being presented here, thus
distinguishing it from most other festivals in the country (and the world).
Lineup:
5:30 PM Danielle Reich Duo w/Bruce Saunders, Guitar
6:15 PM Juliana Silveira Duo w/James Suter, Bass
7:00 PM Pamela Hart Duo w/Peggy Stern, Piano
7:45 PM Kristen Strom Duo w/Scott Sorkin, Guitar
8:30 PM Estrella All-Stars w/Kristen, James, Bruce, Peggy, Scott, & Masumi Jones
Presented by Ritenuto Foundation, Inc., a 501c3 Not For Profit Corporation
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