Juneau Jazz & Classics kicks off its 30th season Friday, May 6 with the powerful voice of Carolyn Wonderland and her band, two blues cruises Saturday, and the energetic Vega String Quartet Sunday at the stunning Shrine of St. Therese.
“The magic of Jazz & Classics has always been the creative mix of musical styles. Whether the blues or Bach, it’s music that touches the soul,” said artistic director Linda Rosenthal. “Our 30th season is proud to open with the intensity of Carolyn Wonderland and her band from Austin in an opening night dance party and the popular blues cruises, and close out the first weekend with the impassioned Vega String Quartet in works by Mendelssohn and Mozart.”
The reigning queen of Austin blues, Carolyn Wonderland and her band kick off Jazz & Classics’ 30th season with an opening night dance party Friday, May 6, 7:30 p.m. at ANB’s Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. With the soulful vocals of Janis Joplin and the guitar slinging skills of Stevie Ray Vaughn, Wonderland is a legend in her own time who reaches into the depths of the Texas blues with the wit of a poet. Rockazilla World says: “Top notch, five-stars, off the meter. Her voice can be as beautiful as an angel and as powerful as a Class 5 hurricane. One thing’s for certain, some forces – even those barely five feet tall – cannot be contained.”
Also catch the Carolyn Wonderland Band on either of two Blues Cruises aboard an Allen Marine catamaran, Saturday, May 7, departing the Don Statter Harbor Dock in Auke Bay at 5 or 9 p.m. The 5 p.m. cruise will feature pre-dinner hors d’oeuvres, and the 9 p.m. cruise offers tempting desserts. Both cruises will feature the spectacular beauty of Lynn Canal, the soulful intensity of Carolyn Wonderland, dancing, and a no host bar. Blues Cruises sell out fast so get your tickets early! Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure. Shuttles will be available from the Auke Bay School parking lot.
Known for their virtuosic intensity, the Vega String Quartet are featured Sunday, May 8, at the Shrine of St. Therese. The quartet in residence at Atlanta’s Emory University, the Vega Quartet has been wowing critics from coast to coast. The Vega Quartet: Domenic Salerni and Jessica Shuang Wu on violin; Yinzi Kong, viola, and Guang Wang on cello, will perform Mendelssohn’s String Quartet in D, Op. 44 #1 and Mozart’s ebullient Quintet in E-Flat, K. 614, with Paul Rosenthal playing viola. There are two performances Sunday, May 8 · 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., but Strings at the Shrine sells out quickly so get your tickets early!
