Ritenuto Foundation, Inc., in collaboration with the St. Edward’s University Music Department, is proud to announce its first annual Austin women-led band Festival: LuluFest, to be held on Saturday, April 14th, 2018, in the newly renovated Jones Auditorium, situated in the Ragsdale Center, on the St. Ed’s campus.
The focus of this one-day event (concerts and workshops) will be women bandleaders — both seasoned and up-and-coming, who are making their music the focus of their lives.
This year’s Festival features percussionist and educator Allison Miller, who has been named one of the top 20 Jazz drummers in Downbeat Magazine’s influential Critics Poll. Lulufest will also present 2018 Grammy nominated jazz violinist Sara Caswell. Sara teaches at two prestigious music colleges, Berklee College of Music and the Manhattan School of Music. She has performed with artists from Bucky Pizzarelli to Bruce Springsteen. Emily Gimble will also be performing; Emily is Texas music royalty, the daughter of beloved bassist and guitarist Dick Gimble, and granddaughter of the legendary fiddler Johnny Gimble. After two years with famed swing band Asleep at the Wheel, Emily has launched a successful solo career. Suzi Stern has collaborated with some of jazz music’s biggest names, including Joe Henderson, and Joshua Redman to name a few. One of Austin’s most sought after vocal coaches, she has led workshops throughout the US and in Europe . The festival concludes with pianist Peggy Stern’s Estrella Salsa, a jam with all the players.
We would very much appreciate if you could pass this on to your students. The workshops will focus on basic jazz improv skills, not only for students already into jazz, but also those who are classically trained and think they might enjoy improvisation. The workshops will be instrument specific: Piano -Emily Gimble, Peggy Stern; Violin - Sara Caswell; Drums - Allison Miller ; Vocals -Suzi Stern;. The worships will be held from 12-1:30 in the Carriage House (music building at St. Ed’s). From 2-3:30 a masterclass - open to all students, will be held in Jones Auditorium, the building adjacent.From 4-5 there will be a break, for schmoozing and eating; the main Festival concerts begin at 5 PM, and run until 10 PM.
There will be food service from 4-7 PM, provided by St. Ed’s Bon Appetit Cafe.
More information about the artists, the concept of the Festival, and fees and directions, can be found on the website: www.lulu-fest.com
Peggy Stern, Artistic Director Suzi Stern, Assistant Director