![[Top] Spyro Gyra, [lower left] David Benoit, [lower right] Morgan James. (Contributed)](https://www.theavtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/AV-Jazz-Festival-lineup.jpg)
“This stellar lineup will appeal to numerous jazz enthusiasts in the A.V. and surrounding communities, and is sure to be a sellout,” stated Tim Fuller, President, Antelope Valley Fair Association Board of Directors. “Tickets for this show would make a great way to celebrate Father’s Day weekend with jazz, food, wine and our awesome cigar lounge.”
General admission is $30; reserved seating costs $50 and $75; and parking is $5. The festival opens at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 20, in the outdoor Cantina of the A.V. Fairgrounds, located at 2551 West Avenue H in Lancaster. The event will include multiple BBQ concessions, wine tasting, a cigar lounge, and various other food choices.
More on the entertainment lineup…
Spyro Gyra is a jazz fusion band that was originally formed in the mid-1970s in Buffalo, New York. The group has continued to reach an international audience for more than four decades, playing more than 5,000 shows on five continents and selling more than 10 million albums. The band also achieved one RIAA-certified Platinum and two Gold albums, and garnered Grammy® nominations for four consecutive albums in the last decade Read more about Spyro Gyra on the band’s official website at http://www.spyrogyra.com/about.html.
David Benoit is a composer, conductor and pianist who has earned five Grammy nominations for his contributions to contemporary jazz. He began as a pianist in 1977, and his expansive career includes 23 solo recordings over the past 25 years. Benoit has performed at The White House for three U.S. presidents: Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan and George Bush, Sr. Benoit has also arranged, conducted and performed music for many popular pop and jazz artists over the years, including the Rippingtons, Kenny Loggins, Patti Austin, Dave Koz, Kenny Rankin, Faith Hill, David Lanz, Cece Winans and Brian McKnight. Read more about David Benoit at http://benoit.com/about-david/.
Morgan James is a singer, songwriter, and actress who studied opera at Juilliard and ultimately abandoned opera to pursue musical theater. She has performed on the stages of some of the country’s most legendary clubs, and she has featured in Broadway productions like Godspell and Wonderland. Her first solo album was Morgan James Live: A Celebration of Nina Simone, which was recorded at New York jazz club Dizzy’s, and is a collection of Nina Simone cover songs. It was released via Epic Records in December 2012. Her first studio album, Hunter, was released via Epic Records in June 2014. Read more about Morgan James at http://www.morganjamesonline.com/bio/.
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