MAMMOTH WINE & JAZZ September 15-16, 2006

As summer turns to fall, the stage is set for Mammoth Wine & Jazz, an exciting new event featuring a stellar line-up of world-class jazz artists, and wines poured from a variety of well-known vintners. It's the perfect combination for an intimate weekend in the mountains!

The event kicks off on The Village Plaza Stage with a free jazz performance Friday afternoon followed by an evening wine reception and dinner/dance at Eagle Lodge featuring The David Patrone Quartet. There also will be additional Winemaker Dinners at selected restaurants in town. The main event takes place Saturday with wine tasting and the jazz festival on the main stage at Sam's Wood Site on Minaret Road. On Sunday afternoon, The Village will host a post-event jazz concert on the Plaza Stage.

World Renowned Wineries

Pedroncelli, Geyserville, CA
Raymond Vineyards, Napa, CA
Old Bridge Cellars, Napa, CA (fine Australian imports)
Stags Leap, Napa, CA
J. Lohr, Paso Robles, CA
Zahtila Vineyards, Calistoga, CA
Empson USA (fine Italian imports)
Quady, Madera, CA
Jankris Winery, Paso Robles, CA
Harvest Moon Estate & Winery, Santa Rosa, CA
Archipel, Napa, CA
Ehlers Estate, Napa, CA
Don Sebastiani & Sons, Sonoma CA
La Vieille Ferme
Vineyard Brands
Baileyana Winery, San Luis Obispo, CA
tangent Winery, San Luis Obispo, CA
Sunstone Vineyards & Winery, Santa Ynez Valley, CA
Cass Winery and Vineyard, Paso Robles, CA
Carina Cellars, Santa Barbara, CA
Bargetto Winery, Santa Cruz, CA
Dry Creek Vineyard, Healdsberg, CA
Martin and Weyrich Winery, Paso Robles, CA

High Energy Jazz

Mammoth has purposely booked an impressive line-up of jazz artists from all over the country with a mix of styles and genres: hot Latin jazz; jump blues and jazzy swing; sultry jazz diva vocals; smooth contemporary jazz; and rock' in soul music. It's an incredible line-up in an incredible setting!

No matter who you are, where you live, or your taste in music, Tower of Power will find you. And once that happens, it's all over! Their vibe is contagious, happy, life asserting; a wondrous celebration of good feelings and positive sentiments, and a horn section that just kicks a--!!! The real deal, 100-proof, aged-to-perfection, ground zero soul. Stand in front of the stage and bathe in the sonic blast of brass and funk. "Tighter then a clenched fist," says the Hollywood Reporter, "for almost two hours the band let loose with an energy-filled show that left a sell out crowd on its feet, dancing in the aisles and applauding with feeling for a band it has loved for more then 25 years." You better get your soul vaccination cause Tower of Power is coming to Mammoth and they're wearing their funky hearts on their very funky sleeves!

THE RIPPINGTONS 20th ANNIVERSARY TOUR - www.rippingtons.com

The Rippingtons, formed by Russ Freeman in 1987, are a world-renowned award-winning contemporary jazz group. Approaching a milestone 20th anniversary, The Rippingtons have dominated the smooth jazz landscape and pioneered the genre with the release of Moonlighting, which featured a then unknown saxophonist named Kenny G. Jazziz Magazine voted Moonlighting the #1 Most Influential Contemporary Jazz Album of all time. In 20 years, Freeman has recorded over 25 albums and you never know what's coming next from this jazz master. What we do know is that Russ Freeman and The Rippingtons are coming to Mammoth! We couldn't be more excited to have a band of this caliber performing at our first inaugural Mammoth Wine and Jazz event.

TITO PUENTE JR ORCHESTRA - www.titopuentejr.net

Sparks fly and rhythms ignite into this world of fiery music crossing both cultures and generations. Enter Tito Puente Jr., natural heir to the throne of "El Rey," he is unmistakably Tito Puente's son - physically, spiritually and musically. Though Tito's heart is rooted deep in the musical soul of his father, he is staking out a future in those who want a modern edge added to his sensuous music. Puente Jr. is taking his own eclectic sound and like his father before him, making history and moving generations. Certainly his father is there in the wide grin, the wild timbales and the charisma that rushes past the footlights and tells the world that this is the music that moves your feet, your soul and your spirit. "It's timeless music, it's the beat and the heat, it's global, and it's music that makes you dance!" When Puente Jr. turns on that supersonic smile and explodes with all the passion that is rightfully his - by birthright and by virtue of his own talent - it's an event you will not soon forget.

Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers are one of the top Swingin' Jazz and Blues bands in the world. The sultry vocals of chanteuse Lavay Smith evokes a sensuous era of Jazz queens and sexy pinups with a modern, feminist twist - she has become known as the Diva of the swing scene, a cross between Marilyn Monroe and Bettie Page with a singing style influenced by the great Billie Holiday. No wonder Los Angeles Magazine chose her as one of the sexiest people around! Lavay and her 8-piece band feature some of the finest musicians in the country consisting of four horns, guitar, piano, bass and drums, truly an all-star ensemble. The Chicago Sun Times says, "Lavay Smith is intoxicating."