While Ron Johnson and the staff of Jazz 98.5 FM and the SEMM Foundation are currently busy working toward the full launch of the new 98.5 FM 24-hour jazz radio station, that work is not deterring them from their other mission of bringing great live jazz to the area through the Jazz Brew Concert Series. In the first of two great shows this weekend, the Rick Brunetto Big Band will kickoff the 2016 Jazz Brew Concert Series with a performance at the series’ home base, the Whitehall-Yearling High School Auditorium, 675 South Yearling Road on Friday, July 8th, at 8pm. Having recently celebrated 27 years of playing every Thursday night at the 94th Aero Squadron, Brunetto and company continue entertaining jazz audiences with their swing, big band, and pop favorites fronted by world-class vocalists Tia Harris and Michael Phillips. Tickets for this fundraising concert supporting 98.5 FM and the SEMM Foundation are available here. On Saturday, July 9th at 6:30pm, the second concert of the inaugural Jazz At The Amp Westerville Outdoor Jazz Series features smooth jazz titans Urban Jazz Coalition at the Alum Creek Park Amphitheater, 221 W. Main St., Westerville. This internationally-renowned urban contemporary jazz juggernaut is busy touring the nation this summer, so don’t miss the chance to see them in Columbus for FREE! Keep reading for details on the rest of the scheduled dates for both of these series:
2016 Jazz Brew Concert Series
All concerts start at 8pm at the Whitehall-Yearling High School Auditorium, 675 South Yearling Road
Friday, July 8th: Rick Brunetto Big Band (buy tickets here)
Friday, September 9th: Tommy Wade Orchestra (buy tickets here)
Friday, October 14th: Tim Dvorkin Trio (buy tickets here)
Friday, December 9th: Holiday Concert: Urban Jazz Coalition (buy tickets here)
2016 Jazz At The Amp Westerville Outdoor Jazz Series
All concerts are free to attend and start at 6:30pm (except where otherwise noted) at the Alum Creek Park Amphitheater, 221 W. Main St., Westerville
Saturday, July 9th: Urban Jazz Coalition
Saturday, August 13th (2pm): Rendition
Saturday, August 13th (4pm): The Rhythm Aces
Saturday, August 13th (6:30pm): The Blackbaer Project
Saturday, September 10th: Tim Dvorkin Trio