Renowned Bassist to Play Free Concert at Wineries for Winterfest 2008
 
Riverhead, NY (January 9, 2008)—Winterfest 2008 is thrilled to announce the appearance of bassist Bakithi Kumalo, who played on Paul Simon’s Graceland, to the East End of Long Island for two FREE concerts: Osprey’s Dominion on Saturday, February 9th at 3 PM, and Duck Walk North on Saturday, March 8th at 3 PM.

Kumalo creates a singular sound with his electric fretless bass, a sound that ‘teems with double stops that sound like human voices and the African grooves of his homeland,’ through which he has achieved a stellar reputation as a sideman. In addition to playing with Simon on his current North American tour, he’s also recorded and/or toured with Gloria Estefan, Chaka Khan, Harry Belafonte, Gerald Albright, Miriam Makeba, Josh Groban and Chris Botti.
           
Kumalo has also been active as a solo artist, with two fine albums to his credit (1998’s San Bonan and 2000’s In Front of My Eyes), as well as three children’s albums recorded with his wife, vocalist Robbi K. He breaks fertile new ground with his latest CD, Transmigration.  For more information on Mr. Kumalo, please visit www.BakithiKumalo.com.
           
“JAZZ ON THE VINE” will be the theme of the 2008 Long Island Winterfest, which will run from Feb. 8 to Mar. 9, 2008 across the East End. The program will feature local jazz musicians performing at winery tasting rooms every weekend afternoon over the five-week period. The musical calendar will be supplemented by special offers and promotions at tourism-related businesses and cultural venues throughout the region.  2008 Winterfest events are being organized by the Long Island Wine Council, the East End Arts Council, the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Workforce Housing, and the Long Island Convention and Visitors Bureau, with support from American Express and WLIU. Winterfest was conceived in 2006 to generate increased business on the East End during the slowest part of the year by promoting a calendar of activities and offers. For more information, see www.liwinterfest.com.

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Laura Helms
Communications Coordinator
East End Arts Council
133 East Main Street
Riverhead, NY 11901
631.727.0900