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May 21, 2004SUTTONS BAY: Legend to headline JazzFestMarian McPartland to lead slate of artistsByRecord-Eagle staff writer SUTTONS BAY - Jazz pianist Marian McPartland, who has played with dozens of the great artists of the last half-century, will headline the 12th Annual Suttons Bay JazzFest on July 24. McPartland, 86, who has hosted "Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz" on National Public Radio for 25 years, will lead the roster for the day-long musical event. "I think she's the ultimate jazz legend," said Piper Goldson, president of the festival. "She doesn't do that many concerts, and to have her come to Suttons Bay, we're absolutely thrilled." In addition to McPartland, the festival lineup will feature trumpeter Marcus Belgrave's Louis Armstrong Tribute Band, the Harry Goldson Quintet featuring Jim Cooper and David Hay, the Jeff Haas Double Quartet, and the Suttons Bay High School Jazz Band. Tickets for the festival will go on sale Memorial Day weekend. McPartland's popular radio show, which airs locally on Interlochen's WIAA, has included an array of musicians over the years, including Dave Brubeck, Oscar Peterson, Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, Alicia Keys and Norah Jones. She's always kept up on musical trends, Goldson said. "When she was playing in Chicago, she would finish her shows and then run out and immerse herself in whatever else was going on in jazz," Goldson said. McPartland has released more than 60 albums on Concord Records, including choice "Piano Jazz" broadcasts and "songbook" albums paying tribute to composers like Benny Carter, Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. McPartland began teaching herself Chopin waltzes on the piano at age 3 in Windsor, England. She continued her classical training and later joined a vaudeville act that toured Europe during World War II entertaining Allied troops. She met future husband Jimmy McPartland, a cornet player from Chicago, in Belgium and later performed with his Dixieland band. She later formed her own trio and played bebop in New York City for 10 years. Her own compositions have been recorded by artists like Tony Bennett and Peggy Lee. Yet McPartland is probably best known today for her radio show, on which she plays duets with her guests and discusses their stories, techniques and outlooks on music. The festival is slated for noon to 9 p.m. on July 24 at the Suttons Bay Marina Park. In addition to music, it will feature food and beverages from area restaurants and wineries. Tickets for the festival are $20 in advance or $30 at the gate. They will be available at several area locations or by calling 271-4444. Proceeds benefit music scholarships and non-profit community projects.
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