Local Jazz Festival Kicks Off Tomorrow

The 9th Annual Trinity Jazz Festival opens Friday, January 29 at Trinity Episcopal Church and runs through Sunday, January 31. The Trinity Jazz Festival began in 2002. The festival's founder, Father William B. Miller sees jazz as a vehicle for emphasizing both the Midtown church's urban setting, and its commitment to artistic expression. Rev. Miller believes, "Though jazz in the sacred context may be rare, it is a pairing that makes much sense - theologically, historically, and liturgically. Sharing some of the same roots as indigenous gospel music, this art form is rightly at home in the sacred context".

TJF website: http://www.trinityjazzfest.net/

This year's festival will feature:

Friday, January 29
Opening: TSU Jazz Singers - Bert Cross, Director

Headliner: Kirk Whalum (pictured above) w/ Jason Marsalis, Matt Lemmler, Kim Prevost and Roland Guerin

Saturday,January 30
Opening: Gary Weldon, Jazz harmonica artist - accompanied by Bob Henschen, Anthony Caceres and Clyde Adams

Headliner: Brad Leali, Alto saxophonist, professor of saxophone at the University of North Texas and former member of the Count Basie Orchestra - accompanied by Bob Henschen, Anthony Caceres and Clyde Adams

Saturday Master Class:
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Parish Hall w/Jason Marsalis, Roland Guerin, Kim Prevost

Sunday, January 31
10:30 am & 12:30 pm
Trinity Jazz Mass
Featuring:
Matt Lemmler, Jason Marsalis, Roland Guerin, Kim Prevost, Kellye Gray, Herlin Riley, and the Trinity Choir

Houstonian Hotel Makes Top Hotels List

This from TripAdvisor's:

The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa came in at No. 9 on TripAdvisor.com (www.TripAdvisor.com) list of the top 25 hotels in the United States. TripAdvisor.com uses online public entries for feedback and grading purposes for all things related to travel. The ranking is sort of a "People’s Choice Award" for the travel industry. TripAdvisor’s list is based on reviews and opinions of more than 30 million travelers who use the free site.

The Houstonian is located at 111 N. Post Oak Lane near the Galleria area. Property features include a great room lobby with a 30-foot-tall, hand-carved stone fireplace; a 125,000-square-foot private health club; and Trellis, a spa offering a range of services and therapies. Their website is www.houstonian.com

FYI... the only other Texas property to make the list was the #5 rated Grand Hyatt DFW, in Dallas. The website for that property is granddfw.hyatt.com