Festival Miami: Last Week!!!

FESTIVAL MIAMI 2009

Great Performances

Creative American Music

Music of the Americas

Jazz and Beyond

Concerts in Chronological Order

CORAL GABLES, FL, September 28, 2009 – Festival Miami 2009 will feature a diverse line-up of 20 concerts over the course of one month grouped into four themed categories: Great Performances, Creative American Music, Music of the Americas, and Jazz and Beyond.

On Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 8:00PM, Chopin International Competition Winner pianist Kevin Kenner will perform works by Chopin and composers who were inspired by his genius. Featured Chopin works will include: Nocturne in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 1; Mazurka in E minor, Op. 17, No. 2; Polonaise in A-flat, Op. 53; Berceuse in D-flat, Op. 57; Waltz in E minor; Mazurka in C, Op. 56, No. 2; Prelude No.14 in D-sharp minor, Op. 28; Etude in A-flat, Op. 25, No.1; Nocturne in D-flat, Op. 27, No.2; Fantaisie-Impromptu, Op. 66; Ballade No.4 in F minor, Op. 52; Etude in C minor, Op.10, No.12. The program will also feature Mily Balakierev's Nocturne No. 2 in B minor, Bill Evans' "The Peace Piece", Karol Szymanowski's Mazurka, Op. 50, No. 2, Debussy's Etude No.11 “pour les Arpèges composés”, George Crumb's "Dream Images (Love-Death Music)", and Alexander Scriabin's Etude in D-sharp minor, Op. 8, No.12. The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung praised Kenner’s Chopin for its "delicate soulful sonorities formed thoughtfully and delicately." The Washington Post described Kenner as “a major talent, an artist whose intellect, imagination and pianism speak powerfully and eloquently."

On Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 8:00 pm in Gusman Concert Hall, Festival Miami will present Jeff Hamilton, John Clayton, Frost School Faculty Artists alongside Dean Shelton G. (“Shelly”) Berg. Seven-time Grammy nominated bassist/composer/conductor John Clayton has written and arranged music for Diana Krall, Natalie Cole, and Quincy Jones, and also for the American Jazz Philharmonic, Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, and Amsterdam Philharmonic. He won a 2008 Grammy for his arrangement on Queen Latifah’s album Trav’lin’ Light. His stirring arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner, performed by Whitney Houston earned him a platinum record. Legendary drummer Jeff Hamilton is one of the most sought after jazz musicians today. Jazz Journal International calls Hamilton "a most driving and technically accomplished drummer," and the Denver Post says Jeff "brought the crowd to its feet with his amazing hand-drumming." Describing Berg's work as a jazz pianist, the Los Angeles Times stated, “Berg burns hard, his fingers flying over the keyboard while his body nearly levitates off the bench. Exhilarating . . . filled with breakneck parallel runs, sudden rhythmic shifts and harmonic modulations that leave the crowd breathless!”

On Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 8:00pm in Gusman Concert Hall, the Finale of Festival Miami 2009 will feature Jeff Hamilton and John Clayton with the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra and the Frost Concert Jazz Band for a spectacular evening of symphonic and big band jazz. The title of the evening’s program, “Open Me First,” references a brilliant orchestral piece by John Clayton, which was commissioned and first conducted by Jack Elliott with the American Jazz Philharmonic. Jack Elliott went on to be the founding Musical Director of the Henry Mancini Institute.

About Purchasing Festival Miami Tickets

The Festival Miami Advance Ticket Sales Office phone number is (305) 284-4940. Hours are Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For a complete listing of concerts and to order tickets online visit www.festivalmiami.com or email fmtickets@miami.edu for additional information. Tickets go on sale September 1. Gusman Concert Hall is located at the Frost School of Music, 1314 Miller Drive, on the University of Miami’s Coral Gables Campus. Clarke Recital Hall is located a short walk from Gusman Concert Hall along shore of Lake Osceola. For more information on the Frost School of Music, visit www.music.miami.edu.

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Contact: Ross DeBardelaben, rad@miami.edu, +1-305-284-1149, University of Miami Frost School of Music,

or Elizabeth Amore, eamore@miami.edu, +1-305-284-5500, of the University of Miami Media Relations