The Bee Cave Bee

Jazz comes to Spicewood at 7 p.m. Friday, May 5 with the eighth annual “Toast to Tony” tribute concert honoring Austin jazz legend Tony Campise in the Spicewood Vineyards Event Center.

Kris Kimura and The Wasabi Big Band featuring Jennifer Johnson headline the event, with special guest stars Carol Morgan and Freddie Mendoza. Kimura, an award-winning vocalist and woodwind specialist, has performed with a long lineup of Austin’s best bands and was a student of Tony Campise. Kimura’s wide-ranging repertoire covers the many variations of the “big band” sound, from hot jazz of the 20’s to the swingy music of Mel Torme.

Guest artists are equally accomplished:  Carol Morgan, jazz trumpeter, composer, educator and author, and Freddie Mendoza, jazz trombonist and leading educator who has performed with some of the world’s greatest bands.

Campise had a long career that included playing lead alto sax with the Stan Kenton band, settling in Austin where he led his own band, backed many music legends, and gathered an impressive list of awards. His album “Once in a Blue Moon” was nominated for a Grammy in 1992, reaching top ratings on national charts.

Campise died in 2010 after a fall, but his musical heritage lived on. Local Spicewood residents Paul and Betty Motheral sponsor the concerts, always closing the regular season.

The concert is included in season tickets. Additional tickets ($50) are available at www.spicewoodarts.org. Complimentary light refreshments are available at intermission and wine may be purchased. The Spicewood Vineyards Event Center is located at 1419 Co. Rd. 409, Spicewood.

To comment on this story, please go to BeeCaveBee on FaceBook HERE