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Listening under the july stars in Sofia

ROY HARGROVE, KENNY GARRETТ and JOSE JAMES are headliners at the 5th edition of A to JazZ Festival

There’s only one month left to the 5th edition of the most jazzy festival in the capital A to JazZ Festival which will take place in South Park 2 from 3rd to 5th July. The charm of jazz will conquer our senses with some of the most popular and important figures in modern jazz scene ROY HARGROVE Quintet, Quintet and JOSÉ JAMES. Three days in a row their enormous talent and magnetism will be shared with the passionate Bulgarian audience in the open air.

The first day of A to JazZ, 3rd July, will present to us one of the greatest trumpeters of all times ROY HARGROVE. From quintets to quartets, Cuban jazz, few Grammy Awards, own big band and formation The RH Factor, Hargrove breezes through every single project. Apart from his solo career, Roy takes part in albums of famous artists such as D’Angelo, , and many more. This year, for the first time in Bulgaria, Roy Hargrove is going to blow our minds together with his quintet.

Headliner on the second day will be one of the most successful saxophonists all over the world – KENNY GARRETT. From Duke Ellington Orchestra through mutual projects with great musicians such as , Woody Shaw, & and , Garrett’s sound is quite distinguishing, vivid, melodic and specific. As a bandleader for the last two decades, he has also continually grown as a composer. Garrett has proven to be a most versatile player, equally at home playing classic blues and rhythm & blues as he is interpreting classic jazz compositions and even moving in a fusion direction. Today, as a part of A to JazZ, he comes together

with his quintet project including great musicians Corcoran Holt (bass), Vernell Brown (piano), Marcus Baylor (drums), Rudy Bird (percussion).

The last day, 5th July, we are going to see on stage one of the most innovative artists with a velvet voice and chocolate tan – JOSÉ JAMES. With a perfect insight into music, constancy, brave heart and ambitions for being different and distinguishing, José cleverly weaves vocals, hip-hop, jazz, soul and R’n’B into a whole. Meanwhile his album “While You Were Sleeping”(2014) embraces the title for bravest rock experiment. Today José is coming at A to JazZ Festival with his latest album “Yesterday I Had The Blues: The Music of Bilie Holiday” celebrating the 100th birthday of Billie, who José refers to as his “musical mother”. It is a deeply moving tribute, produced by the director of the company Blue Note, which José is going to perform live on stage of A to JazZ Festival.

The entrance to A to JazZ Festival 2015 is free. The festival is organized with the exclusive support of America for Bulgaria Foundation. The event is part of Sofia Municipality’s official cultural calendar and is held under the honorary patronage of Mr. Elen Gerdzhikov, Chair of Sofia Municipal Council. Detailed information about the program is about to be announced soon on www.atojazz.bg and www.facebook.com/atojazzfestival.