Artists: Daniel Hope and Friends

Selected as one of the "best events around the world in 2009" by the London Times.

Daniel Hope returns to the U.S. again early in the spring 2010 for his seventh season as Associate Artistic Director of the Savannah Music Festival in Georgia (March 18 – April 3, 2010).  Hope began his relationship with the Festival in 2004 at the personal invitation of the Executive Director, Rob Gibson, who ran the world renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis.

Initially Hope served as Artist in Residence before being appointed Associate Artistic Director in October 2004.  Reviewing a number of last season’s offerings, a reporter for the Financial Times praised the “staggering breadth” of the programming, noting, “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 co-exist with utter equanimity in this beguiling port city."

Hope’s comments on some of the festival highlights echo a similar enthusiasm for the eclectic nature of its offerings:

“We have stunning artists and some very unique collaborations:  last year saw Chick Corea for the first time, John McLaughlin, Zakir Husain, Ian Bostridge, Bela Fleck, David Finckel and Wu Han, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Academy of Ancient music and many more.  And this coming season will be our best yet, with some of the finest names in music, from Lang Lang to Wynton Marsalis. It’s such an amazing mixture of styles and quality – a real melting pot of music and musicians – and wandering from one genre to the next offers a special thrill.  One of the biggest initiatives this season will be with our children’s concerts, which we expect to draw 20,000 kids!"

Gramophone Magazin, March 2009:
Savannah Music Festival makes a big impression

Savannah is frequently called the most beautiful city in America — and it is. An historic Southern town draped in mesmerizing Spanish moss, you feel as if you’re drifting inside an Impressionist painting when you wander into one of its many charming squares. This corner of Georgia is never so compelling as during the Savannah Music Festival. In just one day, you can experience classical, jazz and world music — and gain insights into how these utterly different traditions and styles are connected...