By Dixon Bledsoe
The sixth annual Silverton Wine and Jazz Festival will have little in common with the first five festivals, with the exception of exceptional jazz and wonderful wine in a charming, historic town.
For a start, it has grown from just a one-day festival, to a festival plus four “intimate evenings” of jazz around town.
The Silverton Wine and Jazz Festival Series opened on Feb. 25 with the Hughes-Trindade Trio playing jazz in a Latin groove at Hinsdale’s Wine Cellar.
Future performances include March 16, Dan Balmer and Go By Train, including Silverton drummer Micah Kassel at Creekside Grill, and April 15 offers the Dave Friesen Trio at the Oregon Garden Resort Fireside Lounge. Music fans are in for a major treat on June 9 at Hinsdale’s, when pianist Tom Grant comes to town. The March 16 and April 14 sessions are $15 each, and the Tom Grant show is $35.
This year’s festival day, on May 19, will have a main stage in between Citizen’s Bank and the Towne House buildings. Main Street will be partially closed-off for a vintner’s wine garden and tasting area. In addition to the main stage there will be music at Hinsdale’s, Creekside Grill, and the Palace Theater. Other locations may also independently feature jazz performers that day.
The Palace segment will kick off the festival at noon in front of the theater, featuring the jazz bands of Silverton and Sherwood high schools. College bands play inside the theater from 1:30 to 5 p.m. in a non-alcohol, family-friendly, free venue.
Jay Sorgen is this year’s Silverton Wine and Jazz Festival president.
“In an effort to improve upon last year’s event and in striving to simplify all aspects of this year’s festival, we have created this new venue so people can be more relaxed and concentrate on enjoying the great benefit of Northwest wines and exceptional jazz,” he said.
Sorgen said he feels that focusing on a main stage and having wineries serving in one area will be less confusing for patrons.
Main Stage music will begin at 2 p.m. This year’s talent is as impressive a list as ever, with Linda Hornbuckle, Eddie Parente, the Quadraphonnes, a Guitar Summit, Janis Scroggins, Reggie Houston, and more.
The May 19 festival will begin immediately after Silverton’s annual Pet Parade.
Eadie Anelli, secretary of the organization and a Salem-area music teacher and violinist, is locked in to the Northwest jazz scene. She is enthused about the talent coming to the series and the festival.
The free family venue at The Palace is a new feature she is particularly excited about. Her interest is in helping get music back into all schools, as many schools have had to cut music programs.
“We want kids to get involved and learn how much music means to the world,” she said.
Entry into the Main Stage / Wine Garden area at the May 19 Festival is $20 (down from $25 in 2011).
Full series tickets good for all performances, all dates, are $75. Tickets may be purchased at Creekside Grill, Hinsdale’s Wine Bar, and online at ticketsoregon.com under the Silverton and Wine Jazz site.
The festival board is in the process of selecting wine and food vendors for the May 19 event. Information is available at silvertonwineandjazz.com. The Oregon Garden Resort is putting together a lodging/event package. Information isavailable at oregongardenresort.com. General information and lodging and dining options are available through the Silverton Chamber of Commerce, 503-873-5615.
