This weekend the Columbus Arts Festival, powered by American Electric Power and produced by the Greater Columbus Arts Council, celebrates its 57th year of bringing the best in fine art and fine craft to Columbus. The festival will be held along the Scioto Mile Downtown, including Bicentennial Park and Genoa Park, on Friday, June 8th, Saturday, June 9th, and Sunday, June 10th, 2018. Rated one of the top festivals in the nation, the festival will host more than 250 juried professional artists along with performance stages featuring music, dance, theater and spoken word. This year’s music schedule features a diverse lineup of Columbus and regional jazz musicians, so we have collected set times and info for the festival’s jazz performances. Click the artist’s name for their Arts Festival landing page – Full festival performance schedule here. Keep reading to learn more.
Arts Festival Jazz Lineup: Friday, June 8th
11 – 11:45am: Kristan Omor – Genoa Park Stage. Soulful vocalist Omor and her acoustic trio, which features bassist Bradley Mellen, will provide a passionate soundtrack to the start of your festival and/or a festive downtown lunch.
12:15 – 1:15pm: Douglas Neel 5tet – ABC6 Bicentennial Stage. Guitarist Doug Neel and his all-star band keep the day lively with your chance to hear tunes from, and buy, Neel’s excellent album Balance. More details here.
4:45 – 5:45pm: Dr. E – ABC6 Bicentennial Stage. After a workday break, the main stage heats up for Friday night with a stirring set from “The Inspirational Soul Queen.”
Saturday, June 9th
12:15 – 1pm: Liquid Crystal Project – Genoa Park Stage. Long-running “jazz-hop” outfit Liquid Crystal Project blends jazz, hip-hop, soul and more into a well-seasoned concoction.
2:15 – 3:15pm: The Ramblers – Genoa Park Stage. This traditional New Orleans-inspired jazz outfit made up of veteran musicians will be performing with guest vocalist Cherie Mannino for a fun afternoon.
5:10 – 5:50pm: Mark Lomax Trio – ABC6 Bicentennial Stage. Part of the Wexner Center’s Wex at the Fest, this set will be an exciting meeting of longtime collaborators drummer Mark Lomax II, tenor saxophonist Eddie Bayard and DJ Krate Digga.
Sunday, June 10th
Noon – 12:45pm: The Blue Jays Jazz & Funk Band – Groove U Stage. Formed by members from the Thomas Worthington High School jazz band, this combo of up-and-coming talents is heading to college in the fall, but not before a funky set at the youth-minded Groove U stage.
1:30 – 2:30pm: Tim Dvorkin Trio – Genoa Park Stage. Top-notch keyboardist Tim Dvorkin and a high-powered trio of bassist Terry Douds and drummer Rick Soriano will be cooking some tasty “original/expressive/quirky/funky/jazz-rock-fusion” for your afternoon.
2:45 – 3:30pm: Big Blitz – Genoa Park Stage. Pittsburgh’s Big Blitz is an emerging sax and drum instrumental trio. The band’s original material is similar to that of NYC Subway bands like Too Many Zooz and Moon Hooch and their set is highly recommended for fans of that high-energy style.
3 – 3:45pm: The Big Badd – ABC6 Bicentennial Stage. This talented young Columbus outfit puts a big jazz twist on a wide variety of classic and modern popular song, which should be well-received by the afternoon crowd.
For more, visit www.columbusartsfestival.org and check out a promo video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ug-WVAN-c9E