R&B singer Ben E. King has entertained audiences around the world since the 1950's as a solo artist as well as with his group The Drifters. King will be performing at the Jack Singer Concert Hall in the EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts on Saturday, June 26, 2010. His back-up band is comprised of jazz legends Guido Basso, Javon Jackson, Roy McCurdy, Jon Mayer, P.J. Perry and John B. Williams.
Ben E. King, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer
Ben E. King was born Benjamin Earl Nelson in 1938 in Henderson, NC. His family moved to Harlem, NY in 1947. There, he joined his first singing group, the Four B's. In 1958, Ben E. King joined the doo wop group called the Five Crowns. The group performed at the Apollo Theater, where they shared the stage with The Drifters.
The original members of The Drifters were dismissed by their manager, George Treadwell, over reliability issues later that year. Treadwell approached the Five Crowns, hired the group and renamed them The Drifters.
The Drifters went on to achieve two number one hits, including There Goes My Baby and Save the Last Dance for Me. Several of their other hits, including Dance With Me and This Magic Moment, remain classics today.
Ben E. King left the group in 1960 over a dispute over salaries and royalties and soon launched his solo career. Between 1959 and 1986, Ben E. King earned 12 Top 10 Hits and 24 Top 40 Hits. His songs Spanish Harlem, Supernatural Thing and Stand By Me remain popular to this day. In 1988, Ben E. King and The Drifters were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
About The Calgary Jazz Festival
The Calgary Jazz Festival began as a one-day festival in 1979. It has evolved into a week-long event that attracts jazz musicians and enthusiasts from around the globe. The 2010 Calgary Jazz Festival runs June 21 - 27, 2010 and features over 200 musicians at over 70 performances.
The Calgary Jazz Festival is organized by C-Jazz - Calgary Jazz Association. The complete festival schedule is available on the C-Jazz website.
Getting to the 2010 Calgary Jazz Festival
The Calgary Jazz Fest holds events at various locations in downtown Calgary, including the EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts, the Beatnig Jazz & Social Club, The Palomino, The Auburn Saloon and the Cantos Music Foundation. There is limited street parking. Attendees are encouraged to either take public transit or carpool and park in one of the many parking lots in downtown Calgary.
Numerous events that are free to the public take place along Stephen Avenue Walk and at the Olympic Plaza. Listeners can visit he various booths along Stephen Avenue Mall Walk.
There are accommodations close to the Jazz Fest venues. Visitors from out-of-town can check out The Best Calgary Hotels in Alberta, Canada and Budget Hotels in Calgary.
R&B singer Ben E. King will perform at the Jack Singer Concert Hall in The EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts on Saturday, June, 26, 2010 at 8:00 pm. Single tickets range from $30 to $60 and are available through the EPCOR Centre for Performing Arts Box Office. Alternatively, jazz lovers can purchase a Calgary Jazz Festival 2010 Pass for $129. The pass gives holders access to all live performances (subject to availability).
June 20, 2010 Update: 2010 Calgary Jazz Festival Canceled One Day Before Event
In a written release to the CBC, festival organizers announced that the 2010 Calgary Jazz Festival has been canceled due to financial constraints. This is the second time in the Festival's history that it has been canceled. Ticket and pass refund information will be released at a later date.
Rhona-Mae Arca - Rhona-Mae is a Registered Music Teacher. She has an ARCT in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music, B.A. (Music) and ...
