There’s no better way to celebrate summer than with hot ribs and cool jazz. The 32nd annual Columbus Jazz & Rib Fest presented by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department returns to the Arena District riverfront on July 22-24. Three stages will host the finest local and international jazz artists, while barbeque pit masters serve up sizzling ribs, chicken and more. Savor the best ribs from around the country as 23 award-winning barbeque teams compete for “Best Ribs” bragging rights. The aroma of hot ribs and sounds of cool jazz will fill the air on July 22 and 23 from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., and July 24 from 11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Admission is free.
The Columbus Jazz & Rib Fest will offer a diverse lineup of artists guaranteed to satisfy the cravings of any jazz connoisseur. Performances will feature internationally acclaimed artists including:
Dave Koz: In a career that spans twenty years, a dozen albums, and multiple Grammy nominations, saxophonist Dave Koz has established himself as one of the most prominent figures in contemporary music. The list of artists who Koz has played with bears testament to his talent and includes such musical luminaries as Burt Bacharach, Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Celine Dion, Kenny Loggins, U2, Michael McDonald, Luther Vandross, and Rod Stewart. www.davekoz.com
Christian McBride and Inside Straight: Bassist extraordinaire, composer, arranger, educator, bandleader and Grammy Award winner, Christian McBride, has been one of the most important and most ubiquitous figures in the jazz world for twenty years. McBride’s list of accomplishments are nothing short of staggering and includes collaboration with such renowned artists as Freddie Hubbard, Sonny Rollins, Roy Haynes, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Isaac Hayes, Chaka Khan, James Brown, Sting, Carly Simon, Don Henley, The Roots, and D’Angelo. www.christianmcbride.com
Big Bad VooDoo Daddy: Since their arrival on the music scene in 1993, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s irresistible live show and aggressive, musically perceptive approach has proven them over time to be the singular standout among the numerous bands that launched the Nineties swing revival. The seven-man group has forged a massively successful fusion of classic American sounds from jazz, swing, Dixieland and big-band music while building their own songbook of original dance tunes. www.bbvd.com
Bobby Sanabria: Drummer, percussionist, composer, arranger, recording artist, producer, filmmaker, conductor, educator, multi-cultural warrior and multiple Grammy nominee, Bobby Sanabria has performed with a veritable Who’s Who in the world of jazz and Latin music, as well as with his own critically acclaimed ensembles. His diverse recording and performing experience includes work with such legendary figures as Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Paquito D’Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, Chico O’Farrill, and the Godfather of Afro-Cuban Jazz, Mario Bauzá. www.bobbysanabria.com
Christian Scott Quintet: One of the brightest jazz stars to emerge in recent years is Grammy nominated trumpeter Christian Scott. A New Orleans native, Scott represents the next generation of Crescent City horn blowers. At 28 years old, Scott has developed both the tone and the conviction of the great players of his instrument. He eschews cliché and gimmickry in favor of an expressive sensibility and a willingness to break rules when it makes musical sense to him. www.christianscott.tv
Carmen Lundy Quintet: Considered one of the finest jazz singers performing today, Carmen Lundy is highly regarded for her innovative musicianship and songwriting. A critically acclaimed recording artist, Lundy has received noteworthy praise from The New York Times, The Village Voice, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post and numerous other foreign and domestic publications. As a composer, Lundy’s music has been recorded by artists Kenny Barron, Ernie Watts and Straight Ahead with Regina Carter among others. www.carmenlundy.com
Jazz & Rib Fest is presented by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department and made possible through the generous support of American Electric Power, Anheuser-Busch, Sunny 95 WSNY, The Ohio Lottery, Crowne Plaza and ASCAP.
Calendar Information – 2011 Jazz & Rib Fest
Date & Time: Friday, July 22, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday, July 23, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday, July 24, 11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Location: The Arena District riverfront: North Bank Park, McFerson Commons, and Spring and Long Streets in downtown Columbus
Description: Featured artists at the 2011 Jazz & Rib Fest will include: Dave Koz; Christian McBride and Inside Straight; Big Bad VooDoo Daddy; Bobby Sanabria; Christian Scott Quintet; and Carmen Lundy Quintet
Information: www.hotribscooljazz.org or (614) 645-3800
Did not like the location of the event.
Loved it! It was free, great downtown location,good ribs, great music,intimate enough to be able to talk with artist and take pictues and get autos, will attend year after year and tell everyone I know about it. Any event is partl uh what YOU make it.