The Valley Sun

Sun Valley Music Festival will raise the roof at the Sun Valley Pavilion September 25
Featuring living legends of gospel music The Blind Boys of Alabama; blues-man Bill Sims Jr.; jazz virtuoso trumpeter Lew Soloff and local jazz favorites The Paul Tillotson Love Trio
Sun Valley Pavilion, Saturday, September 25
Showtime – 5pm / Gates open at 4pm
Tickets are $45 general admission or only $30 per person for groups of 10 or more. On Sale Now at the Sun Valley Recreation Center box office (208) 622-2135 or purchase tickets online at: mySVfun.com

The Blind Boys of Alabama will headline the 2010 Music Festival. They are recognized worldwide as living legends of gospel music. Celebrated by The Grammys and The National Endowment for the Arts with Lifetime Achievement Awards, inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and winners of five Grammy Awards, The Blind Boys have attained the highest levels of achievement in a career that spans over 60 years and shows no signs of diminishing. Longevity and major awards aside, The Blind Boys have earned praise for their remarkable interpretations of everything from traditional gospel favorites to contemporary spiritual material by acclaimed songwriters such as Curtis Mayfield, Ben Harper, Eric Clapton, Prince and Tom Waits. Their performances have been experienced by millions on The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, the Grammy Awards telecast, 60 Minutes, and on their own holiday PBS Special. The Blind Boys’ live shows are roof- raising musical events that appeal to audiences of all cultures, as evidenced by an international itinerary that has taken them to virtually every continent.

http://www.blindboys.com/

Bill Sims Jr.
The Blues has many distinct origins and sounds. Delta Blues, Chicago Blues, West Coast Blues, East Coast Blues, Rhythm and Blues and on and on, each with its own unique flavor. If you ask Bill Sims what type of Blues he plays, his answer is simply, “I play the Blues.
Bill Sims is currently considered one of the best musicians in the New York City Blues scene. Besides regularly performing at the best Blues clues in the city, Bill tours extensively both domestic and internationally. His virtuoso musicianship can be heard in most homes across America in the advertising spots of Coca-Cola, Reebok, Folgers and ESPN. In 1992, Bill released his first CD, Blues Before Sunrise. In 1999 his much-awaited CD Bill Sims was released on Warner Brothers records to coincide with the 10 hour PBS special on Bill.

http://www.billsimsjr.com/index.html

Lew Soloff
A consummate fixture on the New York jazz scene, Lew Soloff’s career is filled
with a rich history of renowned sessions and world-class collaborations. From
the time he eased into the east coast world of trend setting musicians in the mid
1960s, Soloff’s creative ventures have resulted in a respected body of work that
places him in a category of true accomplishment and keeps his elegant and
lyrical signatures in constant demand. Whether interpreting a standard or
improvising on an original composition, his phrasing and note choices exemplify
his unique voice. Soloff is known as a virtuoso with tremendous range and
superior technical command, yet he exudes a wisdom for quietness and melody.
Soloff’s expertise includes trumpet, flugelhorn, harmon mute, plunger mute and he is particularly recognized for his work on piccolo trumpet.

http://www.lewsoloff.com/index.html

Paul Tillotson Love Trio
Paul Tillotson says "my mission is to play great improvised music, deeply touching the souls of audiences around the world, spreading the joy that is created while creating music that comes from love."

Tillotson’s latest release, Tequila Time, is another CD with his special sense of fun, respect to the past, and reckless abandonment of what "should happen" on a jazz CD. His music has a way of sparking the collective imagination of all who listen. In New York City, Paul searched for his perfect trio. After finding a drummer with a deep groove, who creates an original approach to playing music every time he plays -James Wormworth- the bass seat was all that was left. James recommended long time friend Mike Merritt, from the Conan O’Brien Show, and the three musicians have since developed a musical rapport rarely seen in jazz groups today. Rapports so undeniable that when first time listeners are exposed to the trio, they freeze in their steps, listen, and then smile from ear to ear, hence creating The Love Trio.

http://www.paultillotson.com/

Tags: Bill Sims Jr., Five Blind Boys of Alabama, Lew Soloff, Paul Tillotson Love Trio, Sun Valley Music Festival