Hawaii: Maui’s Jazzfest swings into action starting Sept. 4

Well-known musicians, including Les McCann, will have toes tapping and hands clapping when they gather early next month in Lahaina for the Maui Jazz & Blues Festival.

The fourth annual festival, set for the west Maui town that once was the center of the whaling industry, will run Sept. 4-7. The events will feature jazz, blues and Zydeco and some of the genres’ popular performers.

The Jazz and Blues Kickoff Concert on Sept. 4 gets the party started. From 5-7 p.m., Duke’s Beach House will host award-winning alto saxophonist Donald Harrison, among others. The event is free, but table reservations should be made by calling (808) 662-2900.

Another free concert follows with the Sneak Peek from 6-8 p.m. on Sept. 5 at Hula Grill. The performers will include trombonist Steve Turre, a member of the “Saturday Night Live” band since 1984. Call (808) 667-6636 for table reservations.

The main event on Sept. 6 runs from 5-9 p.m. oceanfront at the Royal Lahaina Resort. The lineup includes pianist and vocalist McCann, who has performed with a variety of musicians including Miles Davis, Michael Jackson, Grammy-nominated tenor sax player Javon Jackson and Hawaii’s own Zenshin Daiko drummers.

General admission to Saturday’s show is $40. Tickets can be purchased online.