Biamp has announced that it will once again serve as the title sponsor for the 18th annual PDX Jazz Festival, a series of global live-streamed concerts and events coming from Portland, Oregon; Brooklyn, New York; Seattle; Havana; Johannesburg; and London. Featuring 10 days of powerhouse performances from renowned masters and up-and-coming performers, the opening night, featuring a performance by Thomas Lauderdale and China Forbes of Pink Martini, will be live-streamed for free to PDX Jazz Members from Biamp’s world headquarters on Thursday February 18.
The Festival, which runs through to Saturday February 27, focuses on a variety of themes this year, including West Coast jazz musicians and women in jazz. It continues its tradition of highlighting Portland musicians and will include two additional free shows: the Marilyn Keller Trio on Wednesday, Feb. 24, live-streamed from Music Millennium, and the Michelle Medler Trio on Friday February 26, at the Nines Hotel.
Ticketed shows commence on Friday, Feb. 19, with Harold López-Nussa’s ‘Live in Havana, Cuba’, and Cyrus Nabipoor performing his debut album ‘Live at the Marigny Opera House’, which was recorded in New Orleans. Additional highlights of the first weekend include the Grammy Award-winning Prince protégé, Judith Hill, who arrives from Los Angeles to take the stage Saturday February 20. She will share her electrifying voice that has landed her on tours with Michael Jackson, Josh Groban, and John Legend. Saeeda Wright, Alonzo Chadwick, and Arietta Ward bring a Gospel-inspired performance to the festival on Sunday February 21.
“Biamp is proud to return as a longtime sponsor of the PDX Jazz Festival and we’re excited to kick off the event with the opening night celebration at our headquarters,” said Joe Andrulis, executive vice president of corporate development at Biamp. “At a time when live music isn’t easily accessible for most, we are thrilled to live out our mission of connecting people through extraordinary audiovisual experiences by hosting Thomas Lauderdale and China Forbes of Pink Martini’s free live-streamed performance. We’re looking forward to an evening of great music.”
The complete PDX Jazz Festival lineup and tickets are available at pdxjazz.com.
