While we’ve passed the halfway-point of outdoor music season, at least symbolically, there are still plenty of opportunities left to catch FREE great live jazz outside this summer, including this week. On Saturday, July 29th at 4pm, the monthly Summer Jazz Concert Series at New Birth Christian Ministries (East Side) continues with a soulful pairing of Sabrina Tutstone and Gregg Swan & The Late Crew. Another high-powered doubleheader features two of Columbus’ finest big bands: Jazz At The Amp at the Westerville Amphitheater presents The Tommy Wade Orchestra, featuring vocalist Priscilla Woodson, at 4:30pm and The Rick Brunetto Big Band, featuring vocalists Tia Harris, Michael Phillips, and Jeremy Lahman, at 6:30pm. At 6pm, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department presents its final Cap City Nights Festival of the summer, with the smooth and soulful sounds of NexLevel a primary component of the family fun at Rhodes Park (West Side).
A strong outdoor weeknight schedule kicks off with Ebb & Flow offering their blend of jazz and R&B for the FAT Tuesdays Music Series at Southeast Lions Park (South Side) on Tuesday, August 1st at 6:30pm. While the schedule for the annual Sounds on the Town series at the Easton Town Center plaza is light on jazz this year, they are hitting a sweet spot this week, with the mighty Urban Jazz Coalition getting down on Wednesday the 2nd at 6pm. For Thursday the 3rd, the King Arts Complex’s 19th Annual Heritage Music Festival continues a hearty lineup of jazz/R&B bands with Soul Derivative, featuring vocalist Janeen Holmes and guitarist Duane Tribune, playing Mayme Moore Park at 6pm.
Shows To See This Week
Friday, July 28th (6 – 9pm): Team Players and Liver Quiver at Brothers Drake. Columbus’ home for world-class mead and great live jazz presents a special happy hour show of two innovative bands. Washington, DC-based Team Players is a quartet collective featuring jazz and improvised music from Brad Linde (alto and tenor saxophones), Deric Dickens (drumset), and Capital alumni/Columbus favorites Billy Wolfe (tenor saxophone and clarinet) and Aaron Quinn (electric guitar). Their 2016 album All-American “celebrates things as American as apple pie: jazz, baseball, freedom, and trains.” NYC resident Quinn’s return to Columbus for the second time in two months also means the return of Liver Quiver, his trio with Alex Burgoyne on alto saxophone and Seth Daily on drumset. This should be an eye-opening performance to start your weekend – a donation will be requested at the door.
Friday, July 28th (7:30 – 10:30pm): BWB Jazz Jam featuring Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum and Norman Brown at the Ohio State Fair, Celeste Center. The Ohio State Fair is back again, and while its schedule of primetime concerts always brings a wide variety of musical acts, this year it offers a treat for smooth jazz lovers. BWB, which features trumpeter Rick Braun, saxophonist Kirk Whalum, and guitarist Norman Brown, and was well-received in its appearance at the 2016 Columbus Jazz & Rib Fest, returns to town on its Jazz Jam Tour. Expect world-class smooth jazz performances and surprises! Tickets are available here.
Monday, July 31st (7:30 – 10pm): Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra featuring Bill Dobbins at Clintonville Woman’s Club. Wiester’s FJO keeps rolling after celebrating its 20th anniversary in February. This week’s performance is extra special, as world-renowned pianist, composer, arranger and educator Dobbins makes his annual stop in town before starting another year teaching and directing the jazz ensemble at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester in the fall. Expect scintillating piano work on top of the high-powered big band, and get there early, as a full house is expected! As always, admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students.
Have a great week! Check out video of BWB live: