Sisters Jazz Festival will feature variety

The Sisters Jazz Festival has booked a variety of bands playing in different styles for this year's event.

The festival, which runs September 13-15, is making a comeback in 2002 following a year off to restructure the popular fall event.

The festival is part of "September in Sisters," a month-long celebration of American arts, music and culture.

The Sisters Jazz Festival Board of Directors has made a concerted effort to make major changes in the festival bands line-up, venues and performance schedule in order to attract a younger audience while maintaining appeal to the core audience.

To broaden interest, the board has signed bands whose repertoire emphasizes big band, swing, blues and mainstream jazz in addition to Dixieland jazz styles.

"Our most recent addition is the Duffy Bishop Band from Portland" said Jim Smith, festival director. "Her popularity with both younger and older jazz fans will complement our expanded jazz concept."

This year's jazz festival also will feature regional bands performing in small venues during meal hours and after-hours jam sessions.

Bands signed for the 2002 Sisters Jazz Festival include Titan Hot 7 featuring Clarinetist Bob Draga, Night Blooming Jazzmen, Sin Sity Suitz, the Michael Kaeshammer Trio, Chicago Six with Yve Evans, Gator Beat, Pat O'Neal's Riverboat Jazz Band and the Oregon Coast Lab Band.

For more information call 549-1332.