October 26, 2012
The Miami Nice Jazz Festival (www.miaminicejazzfestival.com
The first Miami Nice Jazz Festival is a partnership between Sister Cities Nice, France and Miami, Florida, joining forces under the leadership of the festival’s founder and CEO, Philippe Pautesta-Herder. The festival takes place at downtown Miami’s historic gem, the Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts. “Downtown Miami provides the perfect backdrop for the festival as Miami is a city rich in historic heritage and culture parallel to that embodied by the festival, its musicians and its patrons,” said festival founder Philippe Patuesta-Herder.
The festival kicks off Miami French Week, a week designed to promote French culture in South Florida. “The Miami Nice Jazz Festival is the first and only jazz festival of such international significance to come to South Florida and I am extremely grateful to be a part of such an iconic occurrence,” said Philippe.
The lineup will showcase an eclectic mix of both straight-ahead and Latin jazz performances, highlighting legendary artists such as Dee Dee Bridgewater (Festival Ambassador), along with Florida debuts of bassist Kyle Eastwood, Eddie Palmieri & his Latin Jazz Band and French drummer Andre Ceccarelli featuring Alex Ligertwood ( former lead singer of Santana).
Also scheduled to perform at the festival will be the Florida International University Big Band featuring vocalist Sally Night and The South Florida Jazz Orchestra with Chuck Bergeron featuring Nicole Henry. Jazz student bands from Florida International University and University of Miami will also animate the Gusman Center each night when doors open at 7:00 p.m.