Jazz Plus collaboration will bring big name talent

Sonoma Jazz Plus and AEG Live, the world’s second largest live entertainment, concert promotion and touring companies, have entered into a multi-year agreement to collaborate in the programming of the Sonoma Jazz Plus festival, set to be held May 20 through May 22, 2011.

Per the agreement, Los Angeles-based AEG Live will assume a lead role in programming of the Sonoma festival as well as the SJ Plus sister festival in Aspen Colorado in the fall. In Sonoma, the three day festival will, for the first time this year, finish with a Sunday afternoon concert on May 22 taking place at 4 p.m.

SJ Plus also announced 2010 contributions of $50,000 to support SJ Plus In-Schools Music Education Programs taking place in Sonoma Valley public schools.  Combined with additional 2010 support from BR Cohn Charity Events, SJ Plus will be able to maintain its full programs for the remainder of the 2010-2011 school year. 

“Innovation, creativity and education are values we share deeply with Sonoma Jazz Plus,” said Arthur Smith, chief marketing officer, Union Bank, Inc. “Continued sponsorship for the festival and reinvesting in musical education for children in Sonoma is a very natural decision for us. For the past six years, we’ve worked with Sonoma Jazz Plus to bring world-class music to the Sonoma Valley and help keep music alive in its classrooms.”

Jim Horowitz, President/CEO of JAS/SJ Plus, said “the opportunity to work with AEG Live to take Sonoma Jazz Plus to the next level of artistic programming is one of the most exciting developments in the history of our organization.  As the music industry has consolidated in recent years and with the explosion of major music festivals nationally and internationally, SJ+, as an independent organization, has been increasingly challenged to consistently deliver the A level talent which our markets and audiences demand.  We feel strongly that with AEG Live’s track record as one of the nation’s major concert presenters, we will have the opportunity now to be part of the discussion on more major artist visits to the Bay Area at the outset of planning for the busy spring/summer season.”

2011 Sonoma Jazz Plus patron passes and memberships are available now.  For more information on these packages, the new AEG Live partnership, SJ+ education programs and more please visit sonomajazz.org or call 866-468-8355. General admission tickets for the 2011 Sonoma festival will go on sale in early 2011.