Red Cat Jazz Festival comes to Galveston Island ....

Posted: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 4:37 pm
By Community Reports

The Red Cat Jazz Festival celebrates the true American music form — jazz — from the best of traditionalists to innovative new sounds, from internationally renowned players to the hottest local jazz groups, and from young students starting their musical careers to a jazz veteran celebrating 50 years of great music.

From Thursday, Oct. 10, through Sunday, Oct. 13, the Red Cat Jazz Festival will feature great performances in a fun festival atmosphere by the Gulf, with vendors offering a wide variety of food, arts, crafts, and music with activities for kids. This festival has grown over the years with a goal of becoming the Gulf Coast’s great regional jazz festival, benefiting Jazz Education, Inc. and the Red Cat Jazz Preservation Society to help keep this vital music alive and pass it on to future generations.

The festival begins on Thursday, Oct. 10, with performances by Jazz in Pink, promoting breast cancer awareness month. Jazz in Pink is an all-star ensemble of women in jazz. Their mission is to promote women in jazz and celebrate their contribution to the history of jazz. Through performances, education and mentoring, they provide opportunities and support to upcoming rising stars. There will be on-site mammograms and breast cancer screening, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to local entities that provide information and support to those affected by breast cancer.

Friday, Oct. 11, kicks off with a golf tournament at the Moody Gardens Golf Course, with some of the Houston area’s most beloved sports figures joining in. The former Municipal Golf Course underwent a $16 million renovation, creating a beautiful 18-hole seaside course through native wetland habitat.

Ronnie Laws
On Saturday, Jazz veteran Ronnie Laws celebrates 50 years in music. The Houston native is brother to famous jazz flautist Hubert Laws and R & B singer and actress Debra Laws. He attended Stephen F. Austin before embarking on his musical career. In 1972, he joined the fledgling group Earth, Wind, and Fire, playing saxophone and flute. He started his solo career in 1975 with the album, “Pressure Sensitive,” which included his best known song, “Always There,” The song became an instant jazz-funk classic, covered by numerous artists.

Laws has also recorded with numerous other artists, including Arthur Adams, Howard Hewett, Ramsey Lewis, Jeff Lorber, Hugh Masekela, Alphonse Mouzon, David Sea, and Sister Sledge. A tribute to “Always There,” was performed by a group of musicians including Boney James, Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum, Kenny Garrett and Larry Carlton at the Montreux Jazz Festival. In August, Ronnie Laws will be inducted into the Black Music Association Hall of Fame.

Read more: http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/east_montgomery/living/red-cat-jazz-festival-comes-to-galveston-island-to-celebrate/article_f2b6af75-8362-5667-b285-9c9f8cd87b92.html