Kauai’s Red Clay Jazz Festival Adds More Blues and Jazz with a Hawaiian Flair

Wednesday, June 25th

Red Clay Jazz Festival Jam Session

Enjoy straight ahead jazz with Treysara, one of Kauai’s exceptional jazz trios featuring Trey Thompson on Bass, Tony Rodarte on Drums and Rick Avallone on keyboard along with vocalist Sara Thompson. Treysara will play at the Common Ground restaurant in Kilauea from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. No charge. Location: 4900 Kuawa Rd, Kilauea, HI 96754

Hear the Mark Pulice Trio play straight ahead jazz at Kukuiula Shopping Village, with Pulice on drums accompanied by bass and keyboard. The trio will play at the outdoor courtyard from 5:30 to 7 p.m. next to Merriman’s restaurant No charge.

Thursday, June 26th

Red Clay Jazz Festival Educational Workshop – The Art of Song, Slide Guitar and Harmonica: Three workshops are on tap for aspiring song-writers, slide guitar musicians and harmonica players. Jimmy Borges, one of Hawaii’s premier jazz performers will conduct a workshop titled, “Song the Perfect Language.” Another workshop by master lap guitar and slack key musicians, Ken Emerson and Will Bernard will surround the art of slide guitar jazz. Pierre Lacocque, leader of the Chicago-based blues band, Mississipi Heat, is leading a hands-on workshop about various harmonica techniques. Cost: $10.

Red Clay Festival Jazz Jam Sessions

Hear jazz and blues with a Latin flair by the 11-piece band, “Rumba de Fuego” who will be jamming at Aloha Beach Resort’s Kuhio Lounge from 5:30 to 7:30 or longer. No charge.

The Hank Curtis trio will play traditional jazz, with Hank Curtis playing piano, Michael Odo on bass and Marty Leonard on drums from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Kauai Marriott’s Aupaka Bar. No charge.

Friday, June 27th

Red Clay Jazz Festival Evening Concert: Hawaii’s premier jazz performer Jimmy Borges and Hawaii’s “First Lady of Jazz,” Betty Loo Taylor are headlining a concert on Friday night at the Kauai Beach Resort, Jasmine Ballroom, starting at 7 p.m. Adding a Hawaiian flair to this exceptional evening of music will be Hawaiian slack key and steel guitar musicians, Ken Emerson and Will Bernard. According to Dan Ouellette of “Billboard, “Will Bernard is one of the best-kept jazz-guitar secrets on the planet.“Ken Emerson plays both Hawaiian slack key and lap steel guitar and switches easily between them during his performance. Tickets are $30.

Saturday, June 28th

Red Clay Jazz Festival Outdoor Concert: A line up of premier jazz and blues artists will play late afternoon and early evening at an outdoor, ocean-view setting for the main Red Clay Jazz Festival event at Kauai Lagoons. Starting at 4 p.m., the concert features Grammy Award winner Diane Schuur; the nationally acclaimed Chicago-based blues band, Mississippi Heat and Kauai’s jazz specialists, Swing Shift with Dennis McGraw and David.  A key feature of Saturday’s concert is a host of food and beverage booths providing a mix of locally grown organic and specialty foods along with beer, wine and Koloa Rum drinks. Tent seating is available for Saturday’s concert or attendees may bring beach chairs. Ticket cost is $40 advance, $50 at the event. Coolers (outside food and beverage) are restricted.