SMF 2008 In the Media

"...programming of staggering breadth. What other festival allows you to start the evening with a string quartet and finish it by listening to bluegrass over a beer? Those who rarely venture outside the classical music ghetto might be wary of so much jazz, country, gospel and world music. But in truth, the diverse modes of musical expression - jazz, country, gospel and world music - co-exist with utter equanimity in this beguiling port city."

"Last month, I spent a mere three days at this year's 17-day festival and managed, nevertheless, to take in an ear-opening world music concert pairing Portuguese fado singer Ana Moura with Benin's Angelique Kidjo, sit in on a unique cross-cultural vocal competition titled American Traditions, be impressed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra under Robert Spano's baton, make the acquaintance of a remarkable flamenco singer, Pitingo, brought all the way from Spain just to perform in Savannah, and hear one of the most stimulating chamber music concerts of the season as part of a series curated by Daniel Hope
of the Beaux Arts Trio... Walking to festival events through Savannah's still surviving 18th-century squares, beneath venerable live oaks and past azalea bushes bursting into colour is like stepping back into a more gracious age. And yet, the festival itself is as much about today's artists as yesterday's heritage."

On the Stewart Copeland premiere of 'Celeste': "...on the edge of several musical worlds...[Daniel Hope's] collaboration with Mr. Copeland reflects the spirit of the more than two-week event, with an eclectic lineup of jazz, fado, gospel, blues and performances by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Emerson String Quartet and the Beaux Arts Trio... [Hope and Copeland] were clearly having a blast, and the audience shared in the fun, giving the enthusiastic performance the night's loudest ovation."

"A full spectrum of sounds, from country to classical."

"Anyone with a love of music will find something to listen to, from Fado (sometimes described as soulful Portuguese folk music) to Cuban/salsa bands to sacred harp singing."

"The Savannah Music Festival, perhaps more than any classical music institution around, has made the link between the arts and tourism... Savannahians seem content, and the growing breadth of the festival is surely one reason why. Social lives can be organized around it; there's a lot to see for a few weeks. And the festival team is armed with many studies to show how much money the festival generates for the local economy."

"Tune up your ears with a visit to the annual Savannah Music Festival, more than two weeks of sounds ranging from country to classical and a perfect starting point for celebrating the start of spring along the coast of Georgia."

"...a rite of spring on the South Atlantic Coast. While many festivals offer a variety of music, Savannah excels at programming through the prism of Americana. Musical traditions from this country are at the heart of what goes on there."

"...one of the most varied music festivals that the U.S. has to offer."

"It's a little bit country, a little bit bluegrass, a little bit classical... The wide-ranging Savannah Music Festival pulls disparate genres into a tidy package."

"Music abounds... the partying in Savannah is non-stop."

"Georgia's largest music festival, this mega-event presents more than 100 concerts over 17 days, all in the historic district of Savannah."

"...with a strong sense of place, this year's festival boasts a diverse mix of classical and jazz, blues, country and world music... poised to become a cultural destination after years of neglect."

"The 17-day festival combines a diverse array of regional and American musical genres - jazz, blues, Cajun, zydeco, country and bluegrass - with an amalgamation of international styles."

"Whatever your taste--jazz, blues, country or classical-- this music festival (the largest in the state) has something for you."

"There is a place where music festivals and families meet quite nicely, along with history, Southern charm and lovely spring temperatures... The Savannah Music Festival has become one of the largest cultural tourism draws in the Southeast. In 2007, 45 percent of concertgoers traveled from out of town to enjoy a selection of premieres, one-time-only productions, exclusive U.S. appearances by international artists and a cornucopia of educational opportunities."

"...this has been the most artistically daring and complete Music Festival to date."

"In terms of programming, marketing and direct outreach, the SMF has for years now made one good move after another to diversify the audiences and expand the festival. Clearly, such efforts are paying off."

Download pdf of SMF 2008 press quotes

Marty Stuart & Travis Tritt on GAC during SMF 2008