JodyJazz Supports Savannah Jazz Festival
Savannah, GA, 21 January 2013 – Taking place across eight nights in September, the 2012 Savannah Jazz Festival featured a host of world-class Jazz musicians and delighted audiences with its variety of great music, scenic locations and stellar performances. JodyJazz Inc provided major support and sponsorship for the 2012 Savannah Jazz Festival. Located in Savannah, GA, JodyJazz Inc is a world leader in the manufacture of Saxophone and Clarinet mouthpieces and has also recently launched a Music Education media division. Now in its 31st year the Savannah Jazz festival is a much loved and consistent highlight of the Savannah Music scene.
Company founder and President, and acclaimed saxophone player, Jody Espina was a major participate and frequent musical contributor to the event performing on several nights of the festival. Espina appeared with his own Quartet featuring Howard Paul (President of Benedetto Guitars), bassist Delbert Felix and special guest Claire Fraiser. He was also a featured performer with Bob Masteller & ‘The Jazz Corner All Stars’.
But the highlight of the festival was the Savannah Jazz Orchestra, with Espina playing lead Alto Sax, at the Saturday night concert under the stars in beautiful Forsyth Park. The concert featured special guest appearances by two leading saxophonists and JodyJazz Endorser Artists; Ed Calle and Sam Skelton. Calle has appeared on thousands of recordings and has performed with some of the biggest names in the business including Gloria Estefan, Arturo Sandoval, Jon Secada, Julio Iglesias, Vanessa Williams and Bob James.
Calle currently serves as Associate Professor Senior of Music Business and Production at Miami Dade College. Sam Skelton has appeared on numerous studio recordings with such artists as Elton John, Matchbox 20, Train, Edwin McCain, The Gap Band and The Ohio Players and has recorded countless TV show themes and radio jingles. Skelton is currently Director of Jazz Studies and Senior Lecturer in Saxophone at Kennesaw State University. Both Calle and Skelton’s appearance at the festival was sponsored by JodyJazz. The Orchestra played the music of both the guest artists, but one of Espina’s compositions “Jody’s Blues” in which all three saxophonists were featured soloists, proved to be a fantastic climax.
Check out the video showing Jody Espina, Ed Calle and Sam Skelton playing “Jody’s Blues” with the Savannah Jazz Orchestra at the 2012 Savannah Jazz Festival.