There’s no better way to celebrate summer than with hot ribs and cool jazz. The 33rd annual Columbus Jazz & Rib Fest presented by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department returns to the Arena District riverfront on July 20-22. The aroma of hot ribs and sounds of cool jazz will fill the air on July 20 and 21 from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., and July 22 from 11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Through the generous support of sponsors, this year’s festival will offer jazz connoisseurs 42 live performances by musicians descending on Columbus from all over the United States and the world. In addition to the musical artists, 23 award-winning rib teams will be grilling their signature ‘Que along Spring and Long Streets to compete for “Best Ribs” bragging rights.
The American Electric Power Stage presented by ABC 6 in McFerson Commons and the North Bank Park Stage presented by FOX 28 will anchor the event with featured performances by Soulive; Christian McBride and Inside Straight; Bobby Sanabria and Ascentions; Ramsey Lewis and his Electric Band; and Soul of Summer featuring Jonathan Butler, Warren Hill and Maysa.
The Jazz Café at North Bank Pavilion will showcase local and regional jazz artists on an intimate riverfront stage set against the city skyline. The Able Roofing Plaza will offer covered seating on the back patio of the North Bank Pavilion facing the stage and will be adjacent to rib judging activities held within the Pavilion.
Here is the Jazz & Ribs Festival Schedule for 2012
http://www.hotribscooljazz.org/schedule/
Friday, July 20th
AEP Stage
Dr. Lopez and the Loco Roaches – 11:30am
The Great Barrier Reefs – 2pm
The Right Now – 4:30pm
Donny McCaslin – 7pm
Soulive – 9:30pm
North Bank Park Stage
Linda Dachtyl Quartet – 11am
Mike Wade Sextet – 1:30pm
Tia Stewart and the Groove Syndicate – 4pm
Matt Marshak and the Family Funktion – 6:30pm
Bobby Sanabria and Ascentions – 9pm
Jazz Cafe
Tim Cummiskey Modern Quintet – 11:30am
Jazz Academy’s Camp Jazz Student Performance – 5pm
Brian Michael Smith – 7pm
The Arnett Howard Band – 9:30pm
Saturday, July 21st
AEP Stage
Yumbambé – 11:30am
FLIPPO with Kay Harris – 1:30pm
New Tricks – 4pm
Yancyy – 6:30pm
Ramsey Lewis and his Electric Band – 9pm
North Bank Park Stage
Velvet Voyage – 11:30am
The Columbus Metro Jazz Ensemble – 2pm
Samba Jazz Syndicate featuring Bruno Mangueira – 4:30pm
Larry Lee and Back in the Day – 7pm
Christian McBride and the Inside Straight – 9:30pm
Jazz Cafe
Dan White Sextet – 11am
PBJ & Jazz – 1:30pm
Hubbard Stew – 4pm
The Ernie Krivda Quartet – 6:30pm
Sunday, July 22nd
AEP Stage
Enrique Infante and Dejavu Latin Fusion Rhythms – 11:30am
Vernon Hairston Project – 2:15pm
Simply Ira Band – 4:30pm
Columbus Jazz Orchestra with Jon Elliot – 7pm
North Bank Park Stage
Colin Lazarski Quartet – 11am
SpeakEasy – 12:45pm
FYI Quintet – 2:30pm
Christian Howes and the Dangerous Band – 4:30pm
Soul of Summer Feat. Jonathan Butler, Warren Hill and Maysa – 7pm
Jazz Cafe
Razzamatazz & Jazz – 11:30am
Danny Aguiar and the Fim de Ciclo Project – 1:45pm
Clave Sonic – 4pm
Blue Lunch – 6:30pm
Columbus Jazz and Ribs Festival – Artist Biographies
Ramsey Lewis and His Electric Band: As a leader in the contemporary jazz field for over 50 years, Ramsey Lewis is nothing short of iconic. The three-time Grammy winner holds his band to the highest musical standards, while creating new and innovative music that allowed him to cross into the pop and R&B charts. www.ramseylewis.com
Christian McBride and Inside Straight: Christian McBride is a renowned Grammy-winning jazz bassist and is considered one of the best of his generation. McBride has had the honor of playing and arranging with legends like Sting and James Brown, and his quintet, Inside Straight, is among one of his many musical projects. www.christianmcbride.com
Bobby Sanabria and Ascension: Voted “Percussionist of the Year” in 2005 by DRUM! Magazine, Bobby Sanabria has made a name for himself performing with some of the biggest names in the jazz and Latin music scene. As a multiple Grammy nominee, Sanabria played drums for the legendary Mario Bauzá’s Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra and appeared in the orchestra on the Bill Cosby Show. http://www.bobbysanabria.com/
Soulive: Since their formation in 1999, Soulive treats fans to some of the finest soul-jazz around. The band features guitarist Eric Krasno, drummer Alan Evans and keyboardist Neal Evans that entertain with music inspired by legends like Jimmy Smith, Brother Jack McDuff and Grooves Holmes. http://www.royalfamilyrecords.com/soulive
Soul of Summer featuring Jonathan Butler, Warren Hill and Maysa: The best of the legendary Smooth Jazz Cruise stars, together on stage. Baltimore-born-and-raised soul singer extraordinaire, Maysa has a passionate following with her expressive and unique sound. South African guitarist and singer Jonathan Butler exploded onto the American music scene in 1987, opening for Whitney Houston. Since then, this masterful musician has been a force in R&B, jazz and soul. Canadian saxophonist Warren Hill has topped the Smooth Jazz, Adult Contemporary and Top 40 charts with his smooth and soulful sound. www.jonathanbutler.com, www.warrenhill.com, www.maysa.com
Columbus Jazz Orchestra with Jon Elliot: The Columbus Jazz Orchestra (CJO) was formed as a vehicle to create performance opportunities for jazz musicians in a big band setting. Over 35 years later, the CJO is considered one of the world’s finest jazz orchestras and a model for success, presenting big band jazz and world-renowned guest artists to thousands each year. www.jazzartsgroup.org
More info on the official website: http://www.hotribscooljazz.org