Savannah Music Festival Announces Program Expansions for 2011-2012 Season

The Savannah Music Festival (SMF) launches new programming that includes a year-round concert series – SMF LIVE – featuring some of the music world's most acclaimed performers, increased distribution of its concert recordings to public and satellite radio, and music education programs that span the entire year. The complete program for the 2012 Savannah Music Festival, which takes place March 22 through April 7, will be announced in early November.

The SMF LIVE concert series - a new initiative that reflects the quality and breadth of festival programming presents renowned artists in jazz, classical, Americana and world music from October through April. "After nine years of continual growth," says Executive & Artistic Director Rob Gibson, "this expansion addresses our community's need for first-rate live music and supplemental music education, while also enhancing Savannah's profile as a premier cultural tourism destination." The series includes Terrance Simien & Zydeco Experience (October 22), four-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald (November 9), acclaimed Norwegian Pianist Leif Ove Andsnes (February 13), the inimitable Wynton Marsalis with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (March 1), and distinguished French soprano Sandrine Piau (April 23).

Savannah Music Festival LIVE Radio is an ongoing series of 59-minute shows that air twice weekly on the statewide Georgia Public Broadcasting radio network. Now with a catalog of 122 programs featuring highlights from previous festivals, SMF LIVE Radio has been distributed through 120 licenses by public radio networks across the country. The Festival also provides content to American Public Media's Performance Today, Sirius XM "Real Jazz", and NPR Music (whose Classical station recently featured five separate programs from SMF 2011).