LIHUE — David Braun, owner of Hanalei Strings, will be among the performers at the All Angels Jazz Festival that opens Friday and continues through Sunday at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church.
“He’s a multi-talented musician,” said Alan Van Zee, the festival’s director. “He’ll be playing Friday night with the Dean Taba Quartet that will feature Tommy James, and the Abe Lagrimas Jr. Quintet with an appearance by Los Angeles pianist Matt Politano. These are jazz musicians from Oahu, and Friday’s show might be considered the best of Hawaii jazz music.”
The shows are scheduled to start at 7 p.m. both Friday and Saturday. The Jazz Masses on Sunday are scheduled to start at 8:30 and 11 a.m. at St. Michael’s church.
Saturday night’s presentation expands to beyond the Hawaii borders, featuring presentations by jazz singers including Seattle diva Greta Matassa, and from New Orleans, Matt Lemmler, the Jazz Mass Choir and soloists.
Other performers on the lineup include Clipper Anderson, Abe Lagrimas Jr., and a special appearance by Kauai diva Karen Dickinson.
They will be joined by other jazz musicians, including Braun, Steve Dubey, David Yukimura, and Dennis McGraw.
There is an admission fee for the Friday and Saturday night concerts. The Sunday morning Jazz Mass is free and open to everyone.
“And yes, there will be food and drink for the Friday and Saturday shows,” Van Zee said. “The price of admission allow patrons to the reception. Sunday is almost always potluck.”
The All Angels Jazz Festival was started 12 years ago by the Rev. Bill Miller, the former rector of St. Michael’s church. Van Zee is the current festival director with Michael Odo as the festival producer.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
