From The St. Regis Washington, DC., Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) is delighted to kick off the ‘Jazz Legends at St. Regis’ series, an intimate set of jazz performances scheduled to take place at St. Regis properties around the world. The series will celebrate contemporary jazz as well as bring a modern interpretation to beloved jazz tunes played at the brand’s flagship hotel in New York in the 1930s and 1940s.

Jamie Cullum kicks off

Jamie Cullum kicks off "Jazz Legends at St. Regis" series before the White House Correspondents Dinner at The St Regis Washington D.C.

Throughout the Jazz Age, the Rooftop Ballroom at the iconic St. Regis New York played host to some of the finest jazz musicians in history with unforgettable performances from greats like Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Buddy Rich; it is this rich musical legacy that makes jazz the soundtrack of the St. Regis brand even today.

In celebration of the brand’s authentic tie to jazz, the quintessential American music genre, The ‘Jazz Legends at St. Regis’ series provides a platform for guests, residents and the local community to enjoy exclusive jazz performances by both celebrated musicians and emerging talent alike, curated together with Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC), the non-profit organization whose mission it is to entertain, enrich and expand a global community for jazz.

“Jazz is an innate part of the St. Regis legacy, and it is exciting to see today’s global travellers passionate about the social and cultural tradition,” says Daphne Sipos, Global Brand Director, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “With the launch of the ‘Jazz Legends at St. Regis’ series, we are thrilled to entertain jazz aficionados and novices alike with innovative jazz programming, modern performances and beyond expectation experiences.”

“Jazz is woven into the fabric of our culture, evolving throughout history: respecting tradition, but also reinterpreting it,” states Jamie Cullum. “I am honored to be a part of the ‘Jazz Legends at St. Regis’ series and follow in the footsteps of some of the finest musicians that have played at St. Regis.”

The series formally launches tonight with a performance by acclaimed jazz musician and singer-songwriter Jamie Cullum at The St. Regis Washington D.C. followed by marquee events at The St. Regis Mexico City, The St. Regis Bangkok and The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort to name a few.

This performance follows on the heels of an exclusive jazz event with Jamie Cullum at the recently opened St. Regis Istanbul earlier this month; an intimate jazz performance with Jonathan Batiste at The St. Regis Deer Valley; and before that, The Vault at the iconic St. Regis New York was transformed by event designer Bronson van Wyck into a twenties-era jazz club, which was the setting for a lively and much talked about performance by Jamie Cullum to celebrate the debut of his newest album Interlude.

For more information on the 2015 Jazz Legends at St. Regis schedule and to purchase tickets to upcoming performances, please visit www.stregis.com/jazz.

Additionally, as part of the Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG®) Moments platform, the highest bidding SPG member the opportunity to meet Jamie Cullum before he takes the stage for an exclusive piano lesson with a guest or small group of jazz-loving SPG members, followed by access to an exclusive performance by Cullum and a room at the stunning St. Regis. For more information, please visit: www.spg.com/moments

About St. Regis Hotels & Resorts

Combining classic sophistication with a modern sensibility, St. Regis is committed to delivering exceptional experiences at over 30 luxury hotels and resorts in the best addresses around the world. Since the opening of the first St. Regis hotel in New York City over a century ago by John Jacob Astor IV, the brand has remained committed to an uncompromising level of bespoke and anticipatory service for all of its guests, delivered flawlessly by signature St. Regis Butler Service. From Bal Harbour to Bangkok, Saadiyat Island to Shenzhen, the St. Regis brand caters to a new generation of luxury travelers and continues to thoughtfully build its portfolio in the most sought after destinations at the heart of today’s grand tour. Plans for the brand to expand its legacy include much-anticipated hotels and resorts in Asia, where St. Regis has announced plans to debut in Changsha, Haikou, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Lijiang, Macao, Mumbai, Nanjing, Qingshui Bay, Sanya Haitang Bay and Zhuhai. Additionally in Europe and the Middle East, St. Regis will continue to expand in Amman, Astana and Dubai. For more information on St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.stregis.com, for the privilege of residential ownership, please visit www.stregis.com/residences, and to learn how the brand celebrates the art of play visit www.stregis.com/familytraditions. Connect with St. Regis on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and YouTube.