By Don Murtha
The Silverton Wine and Jazz Festival will launch a series of concerts beginning May 4 and continuing through the fall at venues throughout the Silverton area.
“The wine and jazz festival organizers expect to gain momentum to carry us through into 2014 with even greater and broader scope,” said Lori Webb, festival board secretary.
“This year we expect to have an event every four weeks featuring top artists from our area.”
The 2013 series kicks off May 4, 7 p.m., with The Djangophiles Trio with Eddie Parente at the Creekside Grill in the Hartman Building on South Water Street in Silverton. Tickets are $15 per person.
“Their music has an infectious driving rhythm in a gypsy jazz style drawn from standard pop and jazz tunes going back to the ’20s, as well as current compositions,” Webb said..
Eddie Parente plays the violin and filling out the trio are Dave Stassens and Mike Burdette on guitar.
Forest Ridge Winery of Oregon City and Vitis Ridge Winery of Silverton will be the featured wineries at the first event. Each will offer wine by the bottle or by the glass.
The schedule of musicians and wineries participating in the festival includes:
June 1, 7 p.m., the Mark Simon Trio, piano, with bass player and female vocalist, at Creekside Grill, 242 S. Water St. Featured wineries will be Kings Raven Winery of Oregon City and Piluso Viveyard and Winery of Aumsville. Tickets: $15.
June 29, 7 p.m., Tom Grant, piano and Joanna Rios, vocals, at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Gordon House, 869 W. Main, adjacent to The Oregon Garden, with Pheasant Run Winery of Aurora and Hanson Vineyards of Woodburn. Tickets: $20.
July 27, 7 p.m., Christopher Woitach, guitar, and Dan Schulte, bass will perform at Howard Hinsdale Cellars and Bistro, 107 N. Water, with Hinsdale Cellars providing offerings from its East Valley wine selections. Tickets: $15.
Aug. 24, 7 p.m. Three Leg Torso Trio at Seven Brides Brewing’s Taproom, 990 N. First St., with Vitis Ridge Winery of Silverton and AlexEli Vineyard and Winery of Molalla. Tickets: $15.
The fall series finale, anticipated for late September or October, is still in the planning stages.
Festival organizaters conducted a survey earlier this year in the business community to help determine how to best serve Silverton.
“We consider the festival to be a strong presence in the community and a benefit to Silverton,” Webb said. “We are aiming at building greater support within the city.”
Webb said the festival is seeking event sponsors and supporters.
“We have a lot to decide for the future. We hope to draw the big names in jazz and to expand our presence,” Webb said. “This year’s ticket sales will serve as fund raisers for next year.”
Tickets can be purchased at the Silverton Chamber of Commerce, 426 S. Water St., at Creekside Grill, or online at www.TicketTomato.com. They will also be available at the door if space is available.
