Tri-C JazzFest 2010 lineup

Bass master Charlie Haden will be in residence at the 2010 Tri-C JazzFest 

  By John Soeder, The Plain Dealer
February 23, 2010, 12:00PM

Pianist Ramsey Lewis, a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, and the Grammy-winning hip-hop group the Roots are among the artists booked for the 31st annual Tri-C JazzFest’s eclectic lineup.
The festivities kick off Thursday, April 15, with a free parade around Cleveland’s Tower City Center and Public Square, and run through Sunday, April 25.
Also on the agenda is a “Happy Birthday, Henry Mancini!” concert Friday, April 16, at PlayhouseSquare’s Allen Theatre, on the 86th anniversary of the late composer’s birth. Mancini, who was born in Cleveland, is renowned for his film and television music, including “Moon River” (from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”), “The Pink Panther Theme” and “The Peter Gunn Theme.” The concert will feature his daughter, singer Monica Mancini, as well as trumpeter Sean Jones and the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, among others.
Mancini “is an important figure in the development of jazz,” said Beth Rutkowski, the festival’s managing director. “He was a critical composer in terms of bringing jazz to the non-jazz world.”
JazzFest’s artist-in-residence will be bassist and longtime Ornette Coleman sideman Charlie Haden.
Following is the JazzFest schedule. Tickets go on sale at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, at tricpresents.com, or charge by phone, 216-241-6000.
Thursday, April 15
• The Shaw High School Marching Band leads a parade at 5 p.m. around Tower City Center, 230 West Huron Road, Cleveland, and Public Square. Free.

Friday, April 16
• The “Happy Birthday, Henry Mancini!” concert features the composer’s daughter, singer Monica Mancini, at 8 p.m. at PlayhouseSquare’s Allen Theatre in Cleveland. She’ll be joined by trumpeter Sean Jones and the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, clarientist-saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera, trumpeter Dominick Farinacci, trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, pianist Mulgrew Miller and saxophonist Ted Nash. The performance will include film clips from movies scored by Mancini, including “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Tickets are $45-$65.

Saturday, April 17
• Pianist Joe Hunter presides over the “Jazz for Kids” concerts at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, 10730 Euclid Ave. Tickets are $5-$10.
• Evelyn Wright and others perform during a “Women in Jazz” concert showcasing the music of bossa nova maestro Antonio Carlos Jobim at 1 p.m. at Mt. Zion Congregational Church of Christ, 10723 Magnolia Drive, Cleveland. Free.
• The Roots, a Grammy-winning hip-hop group and Jimmy Fallon’s house band, headline a show at 8 p.m. at the Allen Theatre. Tickets are $25-$45.

                   The Roots

Sunday, April 18
• The Gerald Clayton Trio and the Theo Croker Group share the stage for a “Debut Series” gig at East Cleveland Public Library, 14101 Euclid Ave. Free.

Pianist Gerald Clayton

Monday, April 19
• Guitarist Jack Wilkins and the Cleveland Jazz Initiative perform at 7 p.m. at Brothers Lounge, 11609 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. Tickets are $10.

Guitar master Jack Wilkins

Tuesday, April 20
• Hammond B-3 organ virtuosos Eddie Baccus Sr. and Tony Monaco team up for a concert at 8 p.m. at Karamu House, 2355 East 89th St., Cleveland. Free.

Wednesday, April 21
• The Omar Sosa Afreecanos Quartet performs at 8 p.m. at MOCA Cleveland, 8501 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland. Tickets are $25.

Omar Sosa

Thursday, April 22
• Bassist Charlie Haden’s Quartet West and saxophonist Joe Lovano perform at 8 p.m. at the Tri-C Metro Auditorium, 2900 Community College Ave., Cleveland. Tickets are $30.

Friday, April 23
• Pianist Ramsey Lewis and singer Patti Austin perform at 8 p.m. at the Allen Theatre. Tickets are $25-$45.

Saturday, April 24
• France’s Orchestre National de Jazz headlines the “Around Robert Wyatt” concert at 8 p.m. at the Tri-C Metro Auditorium, featuring the music of prog-rock pioneer Robert Wyatt. Also on the bill is the Metta Quintet. Tickets are $15.
• The “Smooth Jazz All-Stars” concert at 8 p.m. at the Allen Theatre features singer-guitarist Nick Colionne, sax players Richard Elliot and Paul Taylor, singers Phil Perry and Brenda Russell and keyboardist Brian Simpson. Tickets are $25-$45.

Sunday, April 25
• Under the direction of saxophonist Howie Smith and bassist Glenn Holmes, TCJF SoundWorks performs bassist Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music Orchestra works, with Haden as special guest, at 7 p.m. at the East Cleveland Public Library. Free.

The Festival closes with a performance of Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music