This week’s Outdoor Jazz lineup is another very strong one, topped by the 20th annual Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival in Gahanna – click here for the festival’s jazz schedule. On Saturday, June 16th, at 11am, Tom Carroll plays the first of 3 monthly Jazz Brunches on the Patio at the Granville Inn in Granville – more details here. At 4pm Saturday, the New Birth Christian Ministries (East Side) Summer Jazz Concert Series kicks off with a Father’s Day celebration with NexLevel and The Late Crew – more details here. At 6pm, another popular summer series gets underway – the first Cap City Nights Festival of 2018 takes place at Barnett Recreation Center (East Side) featuring “Blazin’ Violinist” Maestro J – more details here. And also at 6pm, Mansfield’s Just Jazz Live duo makes a regular appearance on the patio at Cimi’s Bistro in Grove City. Keep reading for info on more outdoor fun and previews of great indoor shows this week!
On Father’s Day, Sunday, June 17th, three of the area’s stalwart outdoor concert series will present a variety of jazz for families and friends. At 6pm, Whitehall’s Music in the Park Series presents the hot salsa jazz of the Noe Salsa Project at John Bishop Park at 6pm. At 6:30pm, Westerville’s Sounds of Summer Concert Series also taps into Latin jazz with the Afro-Cuban rhythms of Yumbambe at the Alum Creek Amphitheater. And at 7pm Worthington’s Concert on the Green series brings the toe-tapping swing of Whirlybirds to the Worthington Village Green. The schedule for Thursday, June 21st includes at least two outdoor shows – Jazz Under the Stars 2018 charity event features the Russell Blue Band’s “passionate mix of Latin jazz, R&B, funk, and pop” at the Senior Star at Dublin Retirement Village at 6pm (Admission is $5, details here), and the Summer Concert Series at The Shops on Lane Avenue in Upper Arlington finds jazzy pop interpreters The Big Badd entertaining on the courtyard at 7pm.
Shows To See This Week
Saturday, June 16th (9pm – midnight): The Essence of Soul Jazz Review with NexLevel, Adria Shahid & Darryl Evan Jones at The Savoy Club (East Side). After a Black Music Month vocalist tribute with Dr. E Friday at Notes, soulful songstress Adria Shahid hits another intimate Central Ohio stage Saturday for a special concert. Shahid will be joined by smooth jazz powerhouse NexLevel and Memphis fluteman Darryl Evan Jones for a smooth night of classic soul jazz. All “Grandfathers, Fathers, Sons, Uncles, and Brothers” will be honored onstage – reserve your seats for $15 here!
Wednesday, June 20th (8pm – midnight): Weird Wednesday: The Funky Knuckles & Mistar Anderson at Woodlands Tavern. Local music promoters Weird Music’s roving series of Weird Wednesdays shows continue to deliver a vast variety of sounds that usually fit under the “jam band” descriptor, which can often include jazzy outfits. This week’s concert features Dallas’ The Funky Knuckles, made up sidemen for artists like Beyonce, Erykah Badu, Chrisette Michelle, Talib Kweli, P. Diddy, The Polyphonic Spree, and more that came together to make their own funky fusion sound. Signed to Michael League’s (Snarky Puppy) GroundUP Music, the band is currently working on its 4th album. Columbus’ jazzy hip-hop band Mistar Anderson opens – Tickets are available here.
Wednesday, June 20th (9pm – 11pm): Mary McClendon with the Bobby Floyd Trio: Tribute to Nancy Wilson at Natalie’s. If you missed Columbus mainstay vocalist McClendon’s loving tribute to the legendary Wilson back in March (read our interview here), don’t miss your second chance! This time joined by pianist Floyd’s long-running regular trio, this will be an intimate look at a timeless vocal jazz catalog from four of Columbus’ very best musicians. More details and tickets are available here.
Have a great week! Prepare with video from the featured artists: