Lucas: Savannah Music Festival returns with most extensive international lineup to date
Beaufort County music lovers take note. The Savannah Music Festival is back and bigger than ever.
The 17-day festival will run from March 24 through April 9 in venues throughout the city's historic district and if exploring music from around the globe is your thing, you won't walk away disappointed.
With musicians from nearly 20 countries scheduled to play this year's event, the 2016 international lineup is the most extensive to date, said the festival's marketing and managing director Ryan McMaken.
"Definitely American musical traditions are still at the heart of this festival," he said. "But I also think these (international) musical traditions will be eye opening for new listeners."
Singer-songwriter Rokia Traore, for starters, will wow folk, blues and jazz fans.
Considered Mali's biggest star, Traore is known for her vocal range and stunning live performances and was hailed as the "African Discovery" by Radio France Internationale after playing the Angouleme Festival in France.
From Traore to others like members of the Irish supergroup The Gloaming or Zimbabwean Afropop band Mokoomba, the festival's global feel will only further enhance the city's growing international stature, McMaken said.
In addition, the festival will continue to offer a wide range of genres and cross genres from bluegrass to blues, cajun to classical.
"Certainly Dwight Yoakam, The Time Jumpers, Dr. John are all already getting a lot of interest," McMaken said.
But music lovers would be "astounded" by some of the lesser knowns such as 12-year-old jazz pianist Joey Alexander, he said.
First discovered in Indonesia, the prodigy's feet barely touched the stage beneath his piano bench when he blew away audiences at a Lincoln Center performance in 2014.
But the festival won't just include individual shows or performances, like Alexander's, but also will feature a variety of events from film and theatrical performances to unusual programs found only at the festival.
The Art of the Piano Trio, for example, will explore the influence of the musical trio down through the ages in both jazz and classical music.
These and other unique programs are what continues to make the festival one of the most talked about in the country, McMaken said.
"There are going to be some really great events," he said. "Some great music and great events."
If You Go
The 27th annual Savannah Music Festival is March 24 through April 9, in venues throughout the city's historic district.
Featuring more than 100 productions -- including concerts, recitals, film and theatrical performances -- the festival has both free events and ticketed shows throughout its 17-day lineup.
Who is playing? Too many performers to note all, but among the headlining acts are Dwight Yoakam, The Time Jumpers, Dr. John & The Nite Trippers and Pink Martini.
Pick 5 and Pick 10 Samplers, or discounted ticket packages, are available until the end of the year.
For a complete schedule call 912-525-5050 or visit www.savannahmusicfestival.org.
Follow reporter Mindy Lucas on Twitter at twitter.com/MindyatIPBG.
Related content:
This story was originally published December 19, 2015 at 8:11 PM with the headline "Lucas: Savannah Music Festival returns with most extensive international lineup to date."