For immediate release:

The Guelph Jazz Festival’s annual Sounds Provocative Art Auction & Concert will take place Sunday, April 27th from 1:00-5:00 PM (the live auction will begin at 2:00 PM) at the Guelph Youth Music Centre, 75 Cardigan St., Guelph. This popular fundraiser supports Guelph Jazz Festival’s free programs and educational initiatives while celebrating and promoting local artists and artisans. Tickets may be purchased at guelphjazzfestival.com and the Bookshelf.

In addition to the exciting live and silent auctions, nibbles and beverages, the event offers a new twist this year with a special concert featuring Juno-award winning flautist/saxophonist/composer Jane Bunnett and Cuban piano virtuoso Hilario Duran.

An internationally acclaimed musician, Jane Bunnett is known for her creative integrity, improvisational daring and courageous artistry. Her exploration of Afro-Cuban melodies expresses the universality of music and her ability to embrace and showcase the rhythms and culture of Cuba has been groundbreaking. She has toured the world bringing her own special sound to numerous jazz festivals - displaying musical versatility and fearless exploration in her quest for excellence.

Honoured with the prestigious Chico O’Farrill lifetime achievement award for his outstanding contributions to Afro-Cuban jazz and Latin Jazz, Hilario Duran has called Canada his home since 1998. Winner of numerous awards he has been called “one of the greatest Cuban pianists of the 20th century.”

The 2014 edition of the Sounds Provocative Art Auction & Concert will include 45 pieces from 41 artists and artisans from as far away as Montreal and Chicago. Artists have always shown great generosity and support for the Jazz Festival through their participation in the auction. In fact, the Guelph Jazz Festival has a long-standing symbiotic relationship with local artists who gain greater exposure and acclaim for their work. Sounds Provocative is one of the great cultural events of the year where the talents of the community are given an opportunity to shine. Some of the outstanding participating artists in this year’s event are: Ron Shuebrook, Gordon Auld, Catherine Paleczny, Rob O’Flanagan, Cheryl Ruddock, and Reinhard Reitzenstein. There is also an emphasis this year on up-and-coming young artists such as Marc Bell, Gabriel Parniak, Monika Hauck, and Gillian Wilson.

Well-known Guelph resident Craig Norris, host of CBC Kitchener-Waterloo’s “The Morning Edition” on Radio One will Emcee the event. Craig’s knowledge of the Guelph community and connection to the local arts scene runs deep. His formative years were spent studying piano at The Royal Conservatory of Music and in high school he added saxophone, clarinet and flute to his repertoire. For the past 21+ years Craig has fronted The Kramdens. The inimitable auctioneer Robert Milburn will once again preside over the live auction beginning at 2:00 PM.

Considered among the most innovative and visionary musical events in Canada, the Guelph Jazz Festival will take place September 3 to 7, 2014. Recipient of numerous awards the Festival is lauded as one of the most provocative musical experiences anywhere. The 2014 season program will be announced in June.

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Media Inquiries: Julie Dawn Smith, Executive Director, T: 519-763-4952, C: 416-523-5495