by Lisa Henry


Find Me a Festival!
How would you like to: a) meet and learn from some of your musical idols? b) have a high visibility performance experience? c) network on a national and/or international scale? d) experience new places, faces and performance opportunities?

If you answered "yes" to those questions, then you are ready for the awesome experience of performing at a jazz festival.

Jazz festivals are held worldwide, year round and can provide the working musician with some of the most wonderful musical memories (and pictures) of an entire career. While performing at the Playboy Jazz Festival, I got a chance to hang backstage with one of my idols, Tito Puente. He was gracious enough to allow me to get in a photograph with him; that photo is now a treasure beyond words.

I also met and hung out with Kenny Barron and Regina Carter at the Telluride Jazz Celebration; and Rosemary Clooney gave me great career advice at the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Music Festival.

In a laid-back, fun-seeking festival atmosphere, you can really connect with the artists, promoters and behind-the-scenes staff, all on a more personal level. You can get musical advice, and exchange e-mail addresses and business cards -- things you otherwise might not be able to do if the situation were more formal.

Equally important is the fact that your festival performance will afford you high visibility. Many people in one place (typically thousands) will get the chance to experience your performance. And countless additional performance opportunities can result from appearing at just one jazz festival.

So, how does someone go about applying to perform at jazz festivals?

First comes a reality check.

Please understand that a festival producer's first priority is to book artists who are good draws -- in other words, artists who are well known, and who festival patrons will gladly pay money to come see. Roy Haynes, Christian McBride, Ray Brown, Dianne Reeves, Shirley Horn, Pat Metheny, Diana Krall, and The Yellowjackets fall into this category. After the "draws" have been booked, then other performers are contracted as funding allows.

If you do not fall into the above category, don't expect headliner status or treatment. This would seem to go without saying, but I am constantly amazed by individuals who expect headliner treatment yet have never filled a venue locally or regionally on their name alone. Name recognition is the name of the game. If you are booked on a festival's "local stage," don't be disappointed; this will be your "paying dues" festival. As your name recognition increases, so will your opportunities and visibility on the festival circuit.

Jazz festivals cost money to produce. So keep this in mind if you are not selected to perform at a festival to which you have applied. Your non-selection may have nothing to do with your talent, and everything to do with the festival's limited budget.

As a local and/or regional artist, it is extremely important that your press kit present you in the most professional light. At the minimum, your press kit should include: a bio sheet, reviews, discography, press clippings, a demo tape or CD, a business card, and a black and white glossy. If you do not have these basic elements, get them quickly! Also, an e-mail address and/or a web site will really help you shine.

Many jazz festivals book six to 18 months in advance. So, if you'd like to be considered for a performance slot at one of them, it is best to send your materials six to 12 months ahead of time.

Performing at jazz festivals is a great way to network and take your career to a higher level. Here are some good resources to help get you started:

WEB SITES:
www.festivalfinder.com
www.apassion4jazz.net/festivals
www.festivals-worldwide.com
www.jazze.com/festivals
www.jazzservices.org.uk/data

FESTIVALS:
(Note: The following festivals encourage artists to submit materials. This information is current as of April 2002.)

Iowa City Jazz Festival
P.O. Box 10054
Iowa City, IA 52240
Contact: Steve Grismore at 319-358-9346 or e-mail: gizmojazz@aol.com

Burlington Discover Jazz Festival
230 College St.
Burlington, VT 05401
Attention: Booking
(All artist submissions should be directed by mail only. Artists need to include a press kit with a bio and a CD or cassette. Submissions sent in now would be considered for the 2003 festival program. You can check out their web site at www.discoverjazz.com)

Miller Midwest Jazz Heritage Festival
P.O. Box 754
Peoria, IL 61652-0754
Contact: Festival Director at 309-672-2004 or send an e-mail to bduffy@bigplanet.com. Artists must send a full press kit with CD.

Earshot Jazz Festival
3429 Fremont Pl., #309
Seattle, WA 98103
Phone: 206-547-6763
Fax: 206-547-6286
Web site: www.earshotjazz.org
Contact: John Gilbreath
(Accepts submissions year round.)

JVC Jazz Festival/New York
311 W. 74th St.
New York, NY 10023
Phone: 212-496-9000
Web site: www.festivalproductions.net
Contact: Daniel Mellni
(Accepts submissions October 1 - April 1)

Lisa Henry is a professional jazz singer, recording artist and an award winner at the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition. Contact her at rochellebow@yahoo.com.



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