The amazing Joanna Connor is back in town this weekend— at the Green Parrot both tonight and tomorrow night, May 18-19, 10-2. Here's what one critic said about her: "She masters a guitar with facility and authority. Whether sliding across the strings with locomotive force or stretching notes as far as our mood allows, she is compelling. And when you add her voice, she can be awesome."
Connor will also sit in on the Saturday afternoon (3-7) Slide-a-Thon with Ben Prestage, Dave Hawkins and Bill Blue.
Prestage and Hawkins return to play the Blues on Sunday night, May 20, 9-Midnight.
DAVID FEDER, an international jazz and blues recording artist, will be performing again at Virgilio's this Saturday night, May 19, with his Saltwater Blues Band. Feder lives in Islamorada but travels worldwide to perform solo instrumental guitar. He is known prinarily as a jazz and blues artist, but he embraces all types of music from mellow new-age and flamenco to lively funk, acid jazz and fiery Latin performances. Showtime is 9pm. Appelrouth Lane at Duval.
The Key West International Jazz Festival premieres on Thursday, June 7, with a gala dinner-concert event at the Holiday Inn Beachside, then continues through Friday and Saturday with open-air concerts at Fort Zachary Taylor.
Vocalist Jeanie Bryson— the daughter of legendary jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie— will headline the opening concert at the gala. Also appearing will be the Straker Steel Pan Jazz Band, four-time winner of the National Steel Pan Classical and Jazz Competition in Trinidad.
A menu of outstanding local musicians are also scheduled to appear, including Coffee Butler, Marilyn Holderfield with the Dave Burns Trio, Peter Diamond, Debra & Patrick and Christine Naughton.
Musicians set to appear at the Fort Zack concerts include jazz drummer Matthew Watson and his new band, Matthew 6:33, and the internationally-acclaimed Franko Richmond.
The event, which attracted a $16,000 grant from the County Tourist Development Council, benefits non-profit organizations serving Bahama Village.
Tickets and info: 296-0202 or visit www.keywestjazzfestival.org.