Spoleto Festival USA‘s popular Jazz Series is back in action with backing from Wachovia. The 2010 lineup features an international variety of jazz and world music artists at the Cistern, Gaillard Auditorium, and the Recital Hall at the Simons Center for the Arts.
British jazz vocalist Norma Winstone and her trio headline two concerts at the Cistern on May 28-29.
Brazilian saxophonist and clarinetist Nailor “Proveta” Azevedo (leader of the acclaimed Banda Mantiqueira big band) performs at the Cistern on Sun, May 30.
Classically-trained, virtuosic Polish pianist Leszek Możdżer performs seven intimate concerts at the Recital Hall at the Simons Center between May 30 and June 3.
Georgia-based jazz vocalist Lizz Wright will perform at the Gaillard on Wed. June 2.
Brazilian vocalist Fabiana Cozza makes her American debut with two evenings at the Cistern on June 4-5.
Young San Fran jazz guitarist and composer Julian Lage performs two solo recitals per night on June 11-12 at the Recital Hall at the Simons Center.
Additional popular music events include New York-based African-American string band The Ebony Hillbillies (featuring fiddler Rique Prince, singer and multi-instrumentalist Norris Bennett, upright bass player Bill Salter, and washboard player A.R.) at the Cistern on Thurs. June 3. Ngoni player Bassekou Kouyaté (the ngoni is an ancient traditional lute) leads his seven-piece band, Ngoni Ba, through a set of traditional West African music and storytelling at the Cistern on Wed. June 9.
North Carolina-based African-American string band/folk trio Carolina Chocolate Drops return to town to play the Festival Finale at Middleton Place (presented by Wachovia) on Sun. June 13. Their concert will be capped off by the traditional fireworks display.
Call (843) 579-3100 and visit spoletousa.org for more. Love Best of Charleston? Help the Charleston City Paper keep Best of Charleston going every year with a donation. Or sign up to become a member of the Charleston City Paper club.