With June fully upon us, there is abundant jazz for you in our Outdoor Jazz Guide! On Friday, June 7th, 6 – 10pm, the Friday Nights Uptown Series at Partners Park in Marysville kicks off with the toe-tapping tunes of the Dave Powers Trio (details here). On Saturday, June 8th at Noon, the 2019 Summer PBJ & Jazz Series at the Topiary Park Downtown also gets started, with reverent Duke Ellington tribute act Such Sweet Thunder (full coverage here). The annual Columbus Arts Festival at Bicentennial Park gets in the jazz spirit Saturday with three jazz sets: Inspirational R&B and jazz from Dr. E at 12:30pm (Big Local Music Stage), young Pittsburgh “subway jazz” act Big Blitz at 1:15pm (Bicentennial Park Stage), and a stripped-down set from guitarist Zakk Jones at 7:15pm (Acoustic Lounge) – full schedule here. Also Saturday, Mansfield’s Just Jazz Live Duo entertains in the lush setting of the Autumn Rush Vineyard in Johnstown at 6pm, and the mighty Rick Brunetto Big Band makes its annual appearance at the St. Catharine Church Fun Fest on the East Side at 7pm (info here). Finally, on Sunday, June 9th at 6:30pm, Just Jazz Live stays in town for the Concert on the Lawn series at the historical Livingston House in Reynoldsburg. Keep reading for a major trio hit in Bexley and an ascendant young vocalist in Worthington!
Shows To See This Week
Saturday, June 8th (6 – 8pm): Jazz at Market District: Jackson, Mellen, and Turner at Market District Kitchen & Bar, Bexley. First highlighted here in April, cellist/bassist Bradley Mellen and drummer Addison Smith’s weekly series of rotating trio lineups within the intimate cafe at the Bexley Market District Supermarket is going strong in its third month. Schedule shifts have culminated in a high-powered band coming together this weekend: Acclaimed guitarist and OSU jazz faculty Kevin Turner, excellent veteran drummer Reggie Jackson, and organizer/talented bassist Mellen. As always, no cover for music at Market District, so check it out this week and check out our calendar for future dates!
Wednesday, June 12th⋅(9 – 11pm): Rachel Azbell with the Pete Mills Quartet at Natalie’s. Talented vocalist, music educator and recent Denison grad Azbell will be joined by the evergreen Pete Mills Quartet for a night of classic vocal jazz. Inspired and influenced by greats such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Nancy Wilson, Columbus-based Azbell will be joined by Mills on tenor sax, Erik Augis on keyboards, John Allen on bass, and Zach Compston on drums. She was very impressive in holding her own with Columbus’ finest veteran vocalists at the sold out Jazz at the Lincoln: Songs & Sounds of the Harlem Renaissance concert in January, so I highly recommending seeing her in such an intimate setting. Tickets are available here while they last!
Have a great week!