Producer Carol Alban will also perform at this year’s Orinda Jazz Festival, which celebrates Octoberfest as well as the return to live music.
Instrumentalist and vocalist Carol Alban brings her own talents and those of a bevy of world-class musicians to the 11th Annual Orinda Jazz Festival, which was sidelined last year due to COVID-19. This year’s event takes place Oct. 2 from 2 – 4 p.m. in the Orinda Community Church’s Garden Courtyard at 10 Irwin Way. The event celebrates Octoberfest as well as the return of live music.
“I’m so happy to be able to produce the Jazz Festival this year. I think we all could use hearing wonderful live music again,” said Alban.
As in past years, Alban not only brings top musicians to Orinda, but she also uses the festival to help those in need. While admission has always been free, donations from past festivals have benefited the Contra Costa Crisis Center, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano and victims of wildfires. This year’s recipient is the Winter Nights Family Shelter program.
Alban has lined up a plethora of talented musicians for the concert, including vocalist Eve Marie Shahoian, whose current show Take Me to the World at the popular New York cabaret Don’t Tell Mama won her rave reviews. Titled after Sondheim’s song of the same name, Shahoian’s show appropriately celebrates survival, finding gratitude in challenging circumstances and being passionate about the things that matter most. Shahoian will perform the show in the Bay Area before returning for another New York run. The Oakland native began her career as a child prodigy performing as a soloist on The Tonight Show.
Called “one of the most eloquently expressive cellists in the Bay Area,” Joseph Hebert will also perform at the Jazz Festival. The Grammy Award-winner has toured Japan, Africa and Europe as well as the United States, sharing the stage and recording studio with such artists as Carlos Santana, Stevie Wonder, Placido Domingo, Ray Charles and Marilyn Horne.
Other musicians bringing their prodigious talents to the festival include bassist and award-winning filmmaker Daniel Lucca Parenti and his son, award-winning actor and drummer, Luca Mitchell Parenti as well as Paul McKnight, Darryl Rowe, Ted Parker, Mike Williams, Jim Freeman, Susan Miller, Nancy Tyler and a special surprise guest performer.
In addition to the music, food, beverages and a pop-up art gallery will also be available.
For more information, email Alban at carolalban@aol.com.
