Press

December 26, 2011– Vail, CO — Singer, saxophonist, and songwriter Curtis Stigers returns to Vail on February 9th with his trio to perform at the Vail Jazz Foundation’s Benefit Concert and Dinner. All proceeds from the event will be used to support Jazz Goes To School, the VJF’s program in all 4th and 5th grade classroom in Eagle County, bringing jazz history and education to over 1,100 students annually. This is the first of three jazz concerts for the VJF’s Inaugural Winter Jazz Series.

“We are thrilled to have Curtis and his Trio entertain us for our Benefit Concert and Dinner,” said Howard Stone, artistic director and chairman of the Vail Jazz Foundation. For two decades, Stigers has demonstrated that the lines between jazz, pop, soul, rock, blues and even country are not as clearly defined as they may seem. In a trajectory that began with pop/soul albums in the early ‘90s, the vocalist-saxophonist-songwriter has spent the past several years cementing his reputation as a formidable jazz singer. Stigers is joined by Matthew Fries on piano, Cliff Schmitt on bass and Keith Hall on drums.

Stigers has won critical acclaim around the world. The German Phono Academy recently named Stigers “International Male Jazz Singer of the Year” for his new album “Lost in Dreams.” Stephen Holden, NY Times, wrote of Stigers, “Depending on your definition he is either a rock ’n’ roll jazz man who plays a honking saxophone that echoes his raw, craggy singing, or a jazz-influenced rocker.”

The Benefit Concert and Dinner will take place at the luxurios Arrabelle at Vail Square. Tickets are $150 and the hotel is offering attendees $5 valet parking. Attendees will gather in the Great Room for passed Hors D’oeuvres and wine, then move to the Ballroom for a plated dinner including salad and entrée prepared by Chef Dodd. A delectable dessert, by Rimini, will follow while Stigers and his Trio take to the stage. On July 2nd, Stigers will return for a joint performance with Bravo! Colorado Music Festival to perform with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at the Ford Amphitheater.

The Winter Jazz Series continues on Sunday, March 11th at the Vilar Performing Arts Center with Ann Hampton Callaway’s Multi-Media Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and ends with a soiree dinner and concert featuring Grammy Award Winning pianist and composer, Bill Cunliffe on Thursday, March 29th . Tickets for the Benefit are currently 2 on sale at www.vailjazz.org or 970-479-6146 or 888-VAIL JAM. Tickets for Ann Hampton Callaway’s Salute are on sale at www.vpac.org. The soiree tickets will go on sale soon.

Event Sponsors

Sponsors of the Stigers event, the Anter’s at Vail and Rimini, join the Vail Jazz Foundation’s sponsors including Alpine Bank, Alpine Party Rentals, The Arrabelle, Avalon/Mistral The Luxury Shops, Baker’s Piano Center, Colorado Creative Industries, Colorado Mountain Express – Official Transportation Provider, Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, Fly Vail, Hertz, Jack FM, KZYR – The Zephyr 97.7 FM, KUVO 89.3 & KVJZ 88.5 Jazz Public Radio, KVBA-TV8, Lionshead Merchants Association, Londer Vineyards, National Endowment for the Arts, Notably Fine Audio, Plum TV, Ravenscroft Pianos, Rocky Mountain Reprographics, The Jazz Cruise, Town of Vail, United Way Eagle River Valley, Vail Daily, Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa, Vail Resorts Echo, and many other businesses and donors.

About the Vail Jazz Foundation

The Vail Jazz Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, now in its 18th year of providing outstanding jazz music and jazz education programs in the Vail Valley of Colorado. VJF’s focuses on perpetuating jazz music through live performances that showcase the artistry and talent of great jazz musicians, and through jazz education, with a focus on young musicians and young audiences. For more information, visit www.vailjazz.org