Once again as in the last three years, this summer we will enjoy an unforgettable jazz experience at the Caesarea Harbor.

Three world-renown jazz bands will be coming to the ancient port to perform at the harbor built by Herod on a background of blue sea and red sunsets.

This year there will be a special emphasis on large ensembles known for their electrifying music, bringing authentic New Orleans sounds from the early ‘20s to Caesarea.

The good old jazz of New Orleans, which appeared at the beginning of the previous century as music characterized by strict geographical limits within the United States, eventually became an international obsession among jazz musicians as well as the substantial audiences that come to hear and experience the wonderful magic of jazz.

Thursday – June 12, 2008

The festival’s opening concert will host clarinetist and tenor-saxophonist Ken Peplowski’s swing quintet (www.kenpeplowski.com). Ken is sometimes compared to Benny Goodman in terms of tone and virtuosity. He will be accompanied by jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut (www.cyruschestnut.com) and the wonderful guitarist Howard Alden (www.howardalden.com), whom many may remember from the sound tracks of Woody Allen’s movies. They will be accompanied by Australian contrabassist Nickie Parrott, who is in much demand by jazz and swing festivals all over the world. The drums will be manned by legendary Joe Ascione (www.joeascione.com), who has been performing for decades with the best musicians in the world.

Friday – June 13, 2008

New Orleans jazz trumpeter Duke Heitger’s nine-piece band (www.dukeheitger.com) is an excellent example of the richness of traditional jazz. The musicians bring with them an enormous repertoire, presenting the ultimate combination of swing, Dixieland, and the music of New Orleans. Each musician has an opportunity for self-expression and improvisation and the adaptations range from adherence to the original to original interpretations.

Saturday night – June 14, 2008

Fabulous stride pianist Jeff Barnhart’s seven-piece band (www.jeffbarnhart.com), which will close the festival, is an international team of musicians which promises to enthrall the Israeli audience with the authentic magic of the initial jazz clubs. The ensemble includes musicians from the United States, Finland, Holland and Scotland.

“I dare say that the Caesarea Harbor is the most beautiful place in Israel and we invite Israeli jazz-lovers to come hear and see the magic of jazz”, says festival director, Menachem Dotan. “The combination of the harbor with old-day jazz promises a cultural experience which can only improve with time, like aged wine”.

The Caesarea 2008 Jazz Festival – A magical atmosphere at the most beautiful place in Israel – a combination of sea, sunsets and a pleasant breeze, compounded by the special magic of New Orleans music.

This is the perfect place to feel, hear and enjoy the good hot jazz of old.

Caesarea Jazz Festival

Thursday, June 12 – Friday, June 13 – Saturday, June 14

More about the festival on site – www.Jazz.caesarea.com

Or by telephone *6550 extension 1