PHOTO: JACK ROBINSON, VOGUE, FEBRUARY 1969 | PazFest is a musical tribute to singer/songwriter and legendary composer Joni Mitchell and a fundraising celebration for the continuing support of the Ruth Paz Pediatric Surgery and Burn Hospital in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. There’s a who’s who of local, national, and international talent on board for the tribute and benefit. The show begins at 7 PM at the Civic Theater.
Among many of the musicians scheduled to perform are the husband and wife act Judith Owen and Harry Shearer, Tommy Malone of the subdudes, the legendary New Orleans musical great Deacon John, Jeff Coffin of the Dave Matthews Band and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, and Chuck Mitchell, a veteran folk artist and Joni Mitchell’s first husband.
Brandon Tarricone, a fondly remembered musician who performed locally with the Brotherhood of Groove, is returning to town with his New England-based ensemble, Krewe de Groove. A well-known California act, A Celebration of Joni Mitchell featuring Kimberly Ford, is on the bill as well. Also, expect to see musicians who are expert interpreters of Mitchell’s music from as far away as Denmark, Colorado, and Ottawa, Canada including Philadelphia-based musician Joshua Thomas.
Local musicians scheduled to perform include Paul Sanchez, Tonya Boyd-Cannon, Sean Ardoin, Debbie Davis, Matt Perrine, Alex McMurray, Phil DeGruy with Emily Robertson, Leslie Smith, Cary Hudson, Jim McCormick, and Renshaw Davies.
There are two other events scheduled as part of PazFest IV. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art will host a preview of the main event on Thursday evening from 6-8 PM, and the Little Gem Saloon will showcase the music of Mitchell on Friday night beginning at 8 PM.
Michael Paz, a fixture on the local music scene in numerous capacities, initially created the foundation to build the hospital and honor his mother who worked tirelessly for the people of Honduras. Now they are raising funds to continue to support the facility.
The goal of the Ruth Paz Pediatric Surgery and Burn Hospital is to deliver burn wound management care to children in Honduras and reduce overall pediatric morbidity and mortality due to burns across the central American country. For more information, head here.
Tickets for Pazfest IV are $25 and are available here.
