DESIRÉE DECOSTE

STAFF WRITER

For the first time in three years, the Prince Edward County Jazz Festival is planning a full schedule of programming Aug. 16 – 21, starring many of the biggest names in Canadian jazz.

In addition to a full week-long schedule of events at Picton’s Regent Theatre and satellite venues throughout “the County,” the festival finale featuring the Brian Barlow Big Band with Laila Biali and the music of Joni Mitchell will be staged at Belleville’s Empire Theatre on Sunday Aug. 21.

“It’s kind of shocking to have a full concert and program this year,” expressed Brian Barlow, Creative Director of the Jazz Festival. “One of the strange things that have happened I think for a lot of musicians is they’ve settled in to something completely different for two years, weren’t able to do what you did and now its kind of a shock. This will be 22 years since we started this and I’m really thrilled to have it back going again.”

The Festival will take off Aug. 16 with The Alex Dean Quartet with special guest Jocelyn Gould, Aug. 17 will be Big Smoke Brass, Aug. 18 Kalya Ramu Quartet in Picton and Bernie Senensky and the Moe Koffman Tribute Band, featuring Jake Koffman, Aug. 19 Manteca, Aug. 20 Jazz Van – Chameleon Jazz Band, Luanda Jone with Gord Sheard in Picton and at a different location Emilie-Claire Barlow, Aug 21 Jazz Mass – Amanda Tosoff Trio in Picton and Brain Barlow Big Band with Laila Biali – The Music of Joni Mitchell in Belleville.

“I’m just really thrilled what were doing this year,” Barlow said to The Gazette. “I really like the diversity and the different styles.”

Operating in a relaxing rural landscape awash in great food, wine, craft beer and beautiful beaches, the self-sustaining, jazz-only Prince Edward County Festival is now in its 22nd year, thanks mostly to the finest set of sponsors and volunteers in jazz today.

For full ticket details and program schedule please visit www.pecjazz.org/events.html

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