Every act was a mellifluous treat at this year's Jazz in June -- a three-evening summer concert series celebrating its 25th annual smorgasbord of jazz and blues performances.
The musical fireworks skyrocketed over Andrews Park Saturday night and showered down on several hundred appreciative fans. The lineup began with the 25th Anniversary Jazz in June All-Stars and culminated with Grammy-award winning flugelhornist Chuck Mangione.
"People tell me we've had record attendance this year," said Jim "Hard Luck" Johnson, Jazz in June chair and host of KGOU's "Weekend Blues."
"Every year we try to keep the variety coming," Johnson said.
The Jazz in June lineup is determined each year through surveys from festival goers and recommendations from musicians and board members, he said.
"Board members compile a package based on what's affordable and present it to the board," Johnson said.
And board members are relieved and absolved each year when the ingredients come together in a harmonious rhapsody and groove.
Johnson said the spirit of this year's festival was personified by Ann Rabson, a member of Saffire -- the trio of Uppity Blues Women that headlined the Thursday night performance.
"In the past six months she's had a kidney removed, a perforated intestine and a lumpectomy. She's an example of the kinds of artists we have who know the show must go on," he said.
Johnson said Saffire and Dorothy Ellis, aka Miss Blues, "tore it up" to the crowd's delight. "It was a real treat. The artists were thrilled. They sold a ton of CDs," he said.
Norman residents Mike Martin, girlfriend Sonia Adkins and sister Sylvia Cate said they attended all three nights: Blues Under the Stars Thursday night at Brookhaven Village; Jazz Under the Stars Friday night at Brookhaven Village and Jazz in the Park Saturday at Andrews Park.
"We loved it," Cate said. "We know a lot of people that go to Brookhaven."
Cate called Miss Blues "an icon" who's been performing at Jazz in June since it began 25 years ago.
The Norman North Jazz Choir and director Tony Gonzales won Adkins' praise. "Outstanding. They were the best," she said.
Other performers included Bruce Benson and Studio B; and Barrie Lee Hall Jr. and the Duke Ellington Orchestra
Meanwhile, Joel Young and the 25th Anniversary All-Stars pleased the Saturday night crowd with jazz favorites, from John Coltrane's "My Favorite Things" to Miles Davis' "Footprints."
Young performed at the inaugural Jazz in June and many of the subsequent concerts.
Johnson said Young approached the board of directors a couple of years ago, suggesting "a jazz perspective," presented by musicians who'd played in at least three or four Jazz in June performances. The lineup included drummer Young, bassist Victor Rook, guitarist Shane Conaway, saxophonist Gary Clardy, pianist John Harris, percussionist Boyd Littell, percussionist Jahruba, and special guests Charles and Barbara Burton.
Jazz in June is a non-profit organization. To read more about the 2008 festival performers visit jazzinjune.org or call 325-2222. To make a donation to Jazz in June contact the Jazz in June Development Office at 329-8111.
Tom Blakey 366-3540 tblakey@normantranscript.com
Local news
Jazz in June: The show must go on
- Local news
-
-
Veterans, community remember the fallen
Wesley Carroll lives on, but countless numbers of his friends and family have been laid to rest after their service in conflicts dating as far back as the 18th century....
-
Deputies arrest 10
Cleveland County sheriff’s deputies made 10 arrests in a Saturday night and early Sunday morning saturation patrol....
-
Troopers release name in Thunderbird drowning
Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers have released the deceased’s name in a weekend drowning at Lake Thunderbird....
-
Holiday fun
Sunday wasn’t just another church night at Harvest Church. The church’s pre-Memorial Day fellowship event featured a monster truck show, bike stunts and fireworks, among other things....
-
Volunteers clean up Bishop Creek
Norman’s Bishop Creek is home to a lot more than frogs, turtles and water skimmers, a group of volunteers say....
-
More travelers to hit the road this Memorial Day
NEW YORK — More Americans will hit the road this holiday weekend than a year ago. And they’ll have a bit more money to spend thanks to lower gas prices....
-
OBA names officers
TULSA — Brad Swickey, president and CEO of Valliance Bank in Oklahoma City, was inducted as chairman of the Oklahoma Bankers Association at the OBA’s 115th Leadership Forum and Annual Convention, held May 14 and 15 at the Renaissance Hotel ...
-
Rig count down by 3 to 1,983
HOUSTON — The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. is down three this week to 1,983....
-
Cornerstone Metals Recycling opens in Norman
Cornerstone Metals Recycling has officially opened a recycling facility in Norman at 2350 Industrial Blvd. The facility will provide easy access drive-through for recyclers in the Norman area including South Oklahoma City, Moore and Pauls ...
-
Agriculture Department spurring exports
International Market Development Coordinator Barbara Charlet is constantly finding new ways to introduce Oklahoma’s agricultural products to foreign markets. With 18 years of experience in the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and ...
- More Local news Headlines
-
