Grammy Winners To Play This Weekend’s Liberty Jazz Festival

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Eight-time Grammy winner George Benson and six-time Grammy winner David Sanborn head the world-class lineup of performers for this weekend’s first-ever Liberty Jazz Festival, Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10, at Liberty State Park’s Green Ring. Doors open at 12:00 noon on Saturday. The Spirit of Life Ensemble featuring Daoud-David Williams kicks off the Liberty Jazz Festival from 12:35 p.m.-1:35 p.m. Gil Parris performs from 2:05 p.m.-3:05 p.m., followed by Argentine sax legend Gato Barbieri from 3:35 p.m.-4:35 p.m., followed by eight-time Grammy winner and New Jersey resident George Benson from 5:10 p.m.-7:10 p.m., with Norman Brown’s Summer Tour featuring Alex Bugnon, Paul Taylor and Patti Austin closing out the opening day show from 7:35 p.m.-9:35 p.m. Doors open at 12:00 noon on Sunday. Stanley Jordan performs from 12:35 p.m.-1:35 p.m., six-time Grammy winner David Sanborn takes the stage from 2:10 p.m.-3:10 p.m., the Guitars & Saxes Tour 2006 featuring Gerald Albright, Richard Eliot, Jeff Golub and Brian Simpson play from 3:45 p.m.-5:30 p.m.; and The Rendezvous All-Stars featuring former NBA All-Star Wayman Tisdale, Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler, and Brian Simpson close out the Festival from 6:06 p.m.-8:05 p.m. The impressive lineup for this international music festival may only be topped by the breathtaking setting of Liberty State Park with the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island as backdrops. The Liberty Jazz Festival is produced by The Star-Ledger, CD101.9 and Promo 1 in association with RBC Dain Rauscher and Valley National Bank Festival admission “lawn” seats, in which fans can bring their own blankets and chairs, are available in advance for $54.50 for single-day admission and $94.50 for both days; prices at the gate are $69.50 for single admission and $115.00 for two-days. Reserved premium seating near the stage offering access to a VIP tent with separate food service and restrooms is available in advance for $94.50 for one day and $179.00 for two days; prices at the gate are $125.00 for one day and $225.00 for two days. VIP seating is on a first come basis. Children age 6 and under are free. Tickets are available by calling 1-888-556-JAZZ or online at www.nj.com/libertyjazzfestival or at www.cd1019.com. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit the Friends of Liberty State Park, an all-volunteer organization whose mission is to protect, beautify and promote the 1,122 acre Park. They will set up an “eco-village” to educate people about Liberty State Park , which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. LSP offers special views, open spaces, and is home to the Grove of Remembrance, New Jersey’s official 9/11 Memorial, waterfront Liberty Walk, CRRNJ Terminal, Interpretive (nature) Center, and the Liberty Science Center . “The Green Ring is an unbelievable setting for an outdoor concert with the New York skyline, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island as backdrops,” said event producer Kent Coules of The Star-Ledger, which is presenting the Festival with radio station CD101.9. “We’re thrilled that the Liberty Jazz Festival is the first jazz event to be held in the most picturesque part of the Park.” In addition to the music, there will also be a variety of food vendors, crafts and exhibits at the Festival. For further information including tickets and directions, please call 1-888-556-JAZZ or visit online at www.nj.com/libertyjazzfestival or at www.cd1019.com. ### Contact: Howard Freeman, Promo 1, 973-882-8240 Russ Mensch, Mensch & Company, Inc., 201-967-1616