Jazz on the Chesapeake presents The 10th Monty Alexander Jazz Festival
August 30 - September 1
Avalon Theatre
This festival is presented by Jazz on the Chesapeake, a program of Chesapeake Music.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Monty Alexander Jazz Festival returns to Easton this Labor Day weekend bigger and better than ever! The energetic, ever-swingin’ festival features an exciting lineup, boasting some—if not the—best jazz musicians in the country, including guitarist/vocalist Allan Harris, pianist Matthew Whitaker, pianist Cyrus Chestnut, and the phenomenal headliner, Monty Alexander. In addition to ticketed events, the festival—held Friday, August 30th to Sunday, September 1st, at the Avalon Theatre—offers a free community concert on Saturday, showcasing young artists Dan Wilson and Randy Napoleon, both on guitar. And if that's not enough, enjoy live jazz while indulging in brunch at the Tidewater Inn on Sunday morning. (Reservations are required via Hunter's Tavern at the Tidewater Inn). Trust us, it’s not to be missed!
Nat King Cole at 100
Friday, August 30, 2019 at 8 PM
Reserved – $45, Balcony – $25
Vocalist, guitarist, bandleader and composer, Allan Harris has been described as an artist blessed with, “the warmth of Tony Bennett, the bite and rhythms sense of Sinatra, and the sly elegance of Nat ‘King’ Cole.” Miami Herald
An Exciting Debut, An Eagerly Awaited Return
Saturday, August 31, 2019 at 2 PM
Reserved – $45, Balcony – $25
Matthew Whitaker made his debut on our Festival stage last year in our Young Artist Showcase. When he was nine, Matthew became the youngest artist to ever be endorsed by Hammond and at fifteen he was named a Yamaha artist, making him the youngest musician to join that stellar roster.
Monty Alexander Celebrates the 10th Anniversary
Saturday, August 31, 2019 at 8 PM
Reserved – $65, Balcony – $50
Centerpiece, namesake and artistic director of our Festival since its inception, Guy McPherson of The Globe and Mail says of Monty, “When Monty Alexander sits down at the piano, you can’t help but smile. Go ahead, try not to. The jazzman plays with such delight and sense of humor that if your foot’s not tapping chances are you might be dead.”
Cyrus Chestnut: Where Gospel Meets Jazz
Sunday, September 1, 2019 at 2 PM
All seating is General Admission – $30
Composer, pianist and educator, Cyrus Chestnut is a musical force that utilizes his classical, Gospel and jazz influences to entertain and capture his audiences. With dozens of albums to his credit, he continues to experiment with the integration of jazz, spiritual and classical sounds that reflect his heritage and identity as an artist.
Free Community Concert!
Guitars, Without Compromise
Saturday, August 31, 2019 at 11 AM
Avalon Theatre, Easton MD
Randy Napoleon: Known as a forward-thinking musician with a passion for jazz tradition, Napoleon “plays with a gentle, purring tone that makes you lean in close to hear its range of colors and articulation.” Detroit Free Press
Dan Wilson: Music has been an integral part of Dan Wilson’s life. Dan has been touring nationally and internationally with three-time Grammy nominated jazz organ legend, Joey DeFrancesco and has shared the jazz stage with Christian McBride and Dave Stryker.