Festival Miami 2009 Brings the World’s Great Performers to Miami for 26th Season

CORAL GABLES, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 26^th year of one of Miami’s most exciting traditions – Festival Miami - is back to kick off the fall season with great and inspiring music. From October 2-30, the Festival will present a diverse roster of recognized musical artists. Audiences will enjoy music and dance in four themed weeks including Great Performances, Creative American Music, Music of the Americas, and Jazz and Beyond.

Frost School of Music Dean Shelton Berg explains, “We highlight music from various historical periods and genres drawn from around the globe. In addition to providing extraordinarily diverse music to the public, this format exposes our students to multiple traditions.”

Classical music lovers have five Great Performances in Festival Miami. The Frost Wind Ensemble, on October 14, brings outstanding UM faculty and student artists to the stage, pianist Kevin Kenner on October 28, winner of the International Chopin Competition plays music of that beloved composer and the Miami Symphony Orchestra adds to this series’ exciting classical range.

The not-to-be-missed Creative American Music theme begins with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Tribute to Henry Mancini with Monica and Ginny Mancini on October 3. Mancini is best known for composing film scores such as The Pink Panther and Breakfast at Tiffany’s, among many others. Daughter Monica, a multi-Grammy nominated vocalist, will perform classics including Moon River and Days of Wine and Roses. Ginny Mancini, the wife of the late composer, will offer anecdotes, remembrances and insights. Children’s favorite Red Grammer, known for his glorious voice and award-winning songs, performs for the young at heart in a Halloween concert October 25.

The Music of the Americas series features jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, presenting a Softer Side on October 17. Also on this series, the visually exciting IFÉ-ILÉ Afro-Cuban Dance Company will have the audience dancing in the aisles.

Concerts under the heading Jazz and Beyond include jazz vibraphonist Gary Burton bringing his performance mastery to Gusman Hall on Saturday October 10. In the forefront of jazz for more than 40 years, Burton will lead a master class and perform with student ensembles – the Stamps Jazz Quintet and the Frost Jazz Sextet.

The Festival Miami Advance Ticket Sales Office phone number is (305) 284-4940. Hours are Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For a complete listing of concerts and to order tickets online visit www.festivalmiami.com or email festivalmiami.music@miami.edu for additional information. All performances are held at the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall, located at the Phillip and Patricia Frost School of Music, 1314 Miller Drive, on the University of Miami’s Coral Gables Campus (unless otherwise noted). For more information on the Frost School of Music, visit www.music.miami.edu.