The sounds of various genres of jazz will be heard throughout downtown Burlington on July 25 and 26 when the inaugural Burlington Jazz Festival takes place.
A lot of planning and activity will be taking place first to get ready for the free, two-day event that will feature multiple regional and local bands playing different genres of jazz music.
Capitol Theater Executive Director Myra Goldie said Burlington was a “hot-bed” of jazz, hosting several notable musicians throughout the years who would stop over here on their way to bigger venues in St. Louis, Kansas City and Chicago. “Louis Armstrong played on the piano now at BRE (Burlington Riverfront Entertainment),” Goldie said.
The event will also honor another Burlington tradition according to Goldie, who said Steamboat Days had a Dixieland Jazz component dating back to 1962.
And of course, homage is being paid to Burlington’s own Bart Howard, who penned the jazz standard “Fly Me to the Moon,” in 1954.
Monday was the Burlington Jazz Festival Fundraiser at the Capitol Theater, a two-hour concert featuring local musicians Matt Landon, guitarist and Emma Reynolds, vocalist, who together perform locally as Matt and Emma. They were joined by bassist Jordan Richards and Grammy nominated drummer Michael D’Angelo.
The concert included a silent auction fundraiser. Items up for bid included vocal lessons with Reynolds, massages, and a private party at the Night Cap Listening Lounge.
The Monday night house band ripped through some familiar standards and some originals, and a special guest trumpeter, Dave Katz, gave the audience a preview of the summer festival. Katz will be back in Burlington at the festival with his band, the Dave Katz Sextet.
Katz is an example of the caliber of talent that will descend upon Burlington for the two-day event in July. He is a trumpet player and educator based in the Chicago area. He has shared the stage with jazz greats such as Louie Bellson, Dizzy Gillespie, the Woody Herman Big Band, Manhattan Transfer, and Terrell Stafford.
Additionally, he has performed with The Who, Peggy Lee, Bob Hope, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Liberace, Bobby Rydell, and The Temptations. As a studio musician, he has played trumpet on TV and radio commercials for Michelob, Budweiser, State Farm, McDonald’s, Kraft, and many others. Dave currently performs with the Jazz Consortium Big Band, Orchestra 33, The Pete Ellman Big Band, The Vern Spevak Big Band, and works as a freelance musician and educator throughout the Chicagoland area. He is featured on CD’s with the Pete Ellman Big Band, The Vern Spevak Big Band, and Mike Fiorinos Ensemble 456.
The full festival lineup and any information about the event can be found on the btownjazzfest.com website. In all 85 musicians will be in Burlington for the two-day event which includes performances at the Capitol Theater, Art Center of Burlington and Heritage Garden Events Center. Goldie said local musicians will also perform at locations throughout the downtown. The festival will wrap up each night with a jam session.
A public forum on the event was held Thursday, May 1. Future updates and sponsorship information can also be found on the website.
