The 2017 Jazz in the Forest summer series continues with two performances (4:30pm & 7:00pm) on Saturday, September 9 with Pop & Jazz Fusion from Miles Davis through Mo-Town. The evolution of jazz from early blues roots to popular electronic music. Crossover music of jazz to pop derived styles.
September will feature numerous original compositions by saxophonist Amy Lee, who will be joined by Fred Hee, & Bub Pratt on guitars, Matt Spencer on bass and Noa Eads on drums.
The Wine and Beer Room will be open for attendees to enjoy before and after the concert. And as usual, an area has been set aside for dancing, so you don’t have to stay in your seat when the band starts to swing and you’re moved to your feet. Ticket holders will be able to purchase Volcano Red Ale and Mauna Kea Pale Ale from Mehana Brewing Company & as well as wine before each performance. Great pupus by ʻŌhelo Café will also be available for purchase.
Two shows will be offered, with a matinee at 4:30pm and an evening performance at 7:00pm. Tickets for the evening show are $18 for VAC members ($20 non-members)!
Tickets are available for sale online by clicking here, at VAC’s Administration Office in Volcano Village and VAC Gallery in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. The last day to purchase tickets online is Friday, September 8.
After that, tickets will be sold at VAC Gallery & at the door if they are not sold out. Tickets will be held at Will Call on the day of the show. OR, you may pick them up any day before the show at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm.
About the Musicians
Jazz saxophonist Amy Lee has been on the national/international music scene since 1990. She became a professional musician at the age of 16, developing her own style and “voice” as a saxophonist. Her newest indie album USE ME (PPM ’04) marks her second solo effort touching upon the styles of smooth jazz, R & B, and pop. Being an independent artist allows Lee to venture into whatever territory she desires, and USE ME is a reflection of her influences, including covers of classics by Stevie Wonder and Bill Withers. In fact, Withers told Amy he enjoyed her version of his song “Use Me” so much, it was the first song he loaded onto his iPod. Her debut solo CD INSIDE THE OUTSIDE (PPM ‘99) introduced the world to her diverse musical talents as a player and writer.
Jean Pierre Thoma is a world traveled professional musician on flute, saxophone clarinet and piano, with experience throughout America, France, Japan, India, and Israel. Holds 2 masters degrees in music, and has been a public and private school teacher as well as member of numerous jazz and classical ensembles, such as the Maui and Marin Symphonies. Leader of “The Jazztones” : “Raga Jazz” (with Sarangi, synth guitar & bass): member of “Royal Kona Harp Ensemble” (3 harps w/ 2 flutes & winds): “Volcano Trio” (2 flutes & piano): performer at Holy Cross Church in choir & as instrumentalist; and pianist at restaurants, and charity performances at Hospice and Life Care Centers. Now a music teacher in Hilo at The Pacific Academy of Music, and the Kukuau Studio, he happily lives in Hilo Hawaii.
