Jeff Lofton Music to Catch in March at SXSW in Austin

Thursday, March 14, 11:20 p.m., SXSW Showcase, Jeff Lofton Quintet,

Elephant Room,  315 Congress

Biography:

Jazz trumpeter, composer and bandleader Jeff Lofton studied composition at the University of South Carolina and moved to Austin in 2007 at the age of 40. Since then he’s been voted Best Jazz Band at the ’10-’11 Austin Music Awards during SXSW; January 15, 2009 was named “Jeff Lofton Day” by the City of Austin; and he was inducted into the Texas Music Museum.

The Austin American-Statesman’s 2010 Out and About 500: Music list noted his “ubiquitous presence and articulate advocacy.” His album, “Jazz to the People,” made the 2009 top albums lists for the Austin Chronicle and KUT. In 2011 his side project, The Jeff Lofton Electric Thang, recorded and released “Chasing the Voodoo Down – Live at the Cactus Cafe” and performed at San Antonio’s JazzSAlive festival. In 2012 Lofton opened the TEDxAustin conference accompanied by pianist and composer Graham Reynolds.

“Listen up Miles Davis fans…” from the Austin American-Statesman and “… channels Miles Davis…” from the Daily Texan were some of the early reviews when Lofton arrived in Austin. Mostly unknown to the local jazz scene, word-of-mouth drew people to hear his unique sound at small bars in East Austin. Soon his shows were being described as “…crazy good and crazy crowded.” (Joe Gross, Austin American-Statesman).

In March of 2010 “Jeff Lofton’s 1950s Miles Davis Tribute” drew a large crowd at One World Theatre with the help of media sponsor KUT/KUTX, though competing with opening night of SXSW in nearby downtown Austin. The show was soon booked at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York. Previously the show launched a jazz series in collaboration with the University of Texas’ Blanton Museum’s hosting of the “Birth of the Cool” exhibit in 2008, and was booked at Scat Jazz Lounge for it’s Fort Worth debut. In 2012 the tribute debuted in San Antonio for KRTU’s Year of Jazz series.

The Jeff Lofton Trio performed original music in the Austin indie film “A Swingin’ Trio” which premiered at the Austin Film Festival in 2011 and continues to be accepted into film festival from San Diego to Montreal. Also in 2011, The Jeff Lofton Quartet performed a sold-out tribute to the Bossa Nova king, Jobim, at the Cactus Cafe, along with an Evening of Cole Porter.

Lofton recently completed recording a new album, “Jericho,” which will release later in 2013.

[Source: Dean Lofton]

HEY BARTENDER in Documentary Competition at the 2013 SXSW Film Festival

HEY BARTENDER Documentary Competition

World Premiere at the 2013 SXSW Film Festival on March 9, 2013 at the Stateside Theater, Additional Screenings Offered

Featuring bartenders from NYC’s hottest, most popular cocktail bars: Dushan (Employees Only),  Jim Meehan (PDT) Dale Degroff (The Rainbow Room)

Additional NY hotspots include: Death & CO, Demi Monde, Macau Trading, Milk and Honey, Maison Premiere, Clover Club,  Lani Kai, Flatiron Lounge, The Kippler, Nomad, Victor and Spoils, Saxon & Parole

HEY BARTENDER tells the story of the bartender in the era of the craft cocktail.

The documentary focuses on two bartenders trying to achieve their dreams through bartending. After being injured, a former Marine turns his goals to becoming a principal bartender at the best cocktail bar in New York City.  A young man leaves his white-collar job to buy the corner bar in his hometown.  Years later, he struggles to keep it afloat in a community that no longer values a place where everyone knows your name.

Featuring the most famous bartenders in the world along with unprecedented access to the most exclusive bars in New York City with commentary from Graydon Carter, Danny Meyer, Frank Pellegrino and Amy Sacco.

A 4th Row Films Production Written & Directed by Doug Tirola

Screenings: Monday, March 11 4:15PM – 5:47PM at the SXSatellite: Alamo Slaughter and Thursday, March 14th 9:30PM -11:02PM at the Alamo Ritz 1

[Source: 4th Row Films Production and SXSW]

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