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. 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.
Through the generous support of sponsors, this year’s festival will offer jazz connoisseurs 41 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 representing 11 states and Canada 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 Dave Koz; Christian McBride and Inside Straight; Big Bad VooDoo Daddy; Bobby Sanabria; Christian Scott Quintet; and Carmen Lundy Quintet.
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 Jazz Café 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.
Jazz Schedule – Columbus Jazz & Ribs Festival 2011
Friday: http://www.hotribscooljazz.org/NEW2010/Friday.html
Saturday: http://www.hotribscooljazz.org/NEW2010/Saturday.html
Sunday: http://www.hotribscooljazz.org/NEW2010/Sunday.html
Jazz and Ribs Festival Artist Biographies
Dave Koz: In a career that spans 20 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 Koz has played with bears testament to his talent and includes musical luminaries such 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 is nothing short of staggering and includes collaboration with renowned artists such 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. 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
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: North Bank Park, McFerson Commons, and Spring & Long Streets in downtown Columbus.
Description: Hungry for Jazz? Satisfy your craving! Join us downtown for hot ribs and cool jazz at the 32nd annual Jazz & Rib Fest. Admission is free!
Information: http://www.hotribscooljazz.org