Winner of the Jazz Fest Contest Announced

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Out of the Box

ALBANY, NY (09/09/2011)(readMedia)-- The City of Albany and the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) announce local jazz act Out of the Box, who performed at McGeary's Pub, as the winner of the Downtown Albany Jazz Fest Contest. Beating out nine other acts, Out of the Box, was chosen as the People's Choice winner and will take the stage at the Riverfront Jazz Festival on Saturday, September 10 at Noon.

A unique contemporary jazz band, Out of the Box was created in 2007 by bassist Michael Hurt and pianist Larry Gravett. The configuration of the band also includes vocalist Sha'ron, drummer Gary Nowik, percussionist Pedro Perez, saxophonist John Savage and guitarist Mike Tremante. Seasoned musicians, who have performed in the Capital District for over 20 years, Out of the Box plays all different genres of music including rock, blues, latin, soul and jazz.

"The Jazz Fest Contest materialized from a brainstorm between downtown merchants, the City and the BID," explained Georgette Steffens, Executive Director at the Downtown Albany BID, " Everyone involved came to the table to celebrate the 10th annual Jazz Festival and the contest was a great way to get local musicians exposure alongside national acts."

The Jazz Fest Contest asked the public to listen to jazz performances in ten different downtown Albany venues and submit one vote for their favorite act of the evening.

The competing jazz acts included:

• Out of the Box who performed at McGeary's Pub (winner)

• Michelle Caminos Quintet who performed at R Bar

• Kelly Birtch who performed at Taste

• Arch Stanton Quartet who performed at 74 State

• Tim Olsen / Eric Walentowicz Duo who performed at Blue 82

• Folding Sky who performed at Franklin's Tower

• The Hot Pants who performed at Bayou Café.

• Le Rubb who performed at Pearl Street Pub

• Joey Thomas Big Band who performed at Jillian's

• The Ryan Sgroi Quartet who performed at Figure 10

Put on by the Special Event division of the City of Albany, the Riverfront Jazz Festival is a free public event and will feature headliner Kevin Eubanks from the Tonight Show. Attendance of over 10,000 is expected for the festivities at the Albany Riverfront Park Amphitheatre at the Corning Preserve from 12:00 PM – 8:30 PM. For more information on the Riverfront Jazz Festival visit www.albanyevents.org or call 518-434-2032.

The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) is an organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the character, vitality, and possibility of downtown Albany. Through its many programs and events, the Downtown Albany BID works to enhance the image of Albany and further its reputation as a prosperous and exciting city to live, work, and visit. For more information on the BID please visit www.downtownalbany.org.