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Whatever kind of music you are into, there is a festival for you this weekend. In Des Moines, it’s time for 80/35. Daytrotter is bringing a spectacular “Barn on the 4th of July” show to Maquoketa, and for the 20th year, the Iowa City Jazz Fest is here.
Jazz Fest always requires a little bit of research for me. Though many acts give energetic, rock-ish performances with mass appeal, there’s still much of it that flies over my head. For me, it enriches the experience if I study up just a little, so we put together a few highlights to help us all get started.
If this doesn’t help get you into it – try the beer tent!
Yes, this year there’s going to be beer tent. It will be located on Clinton St. between Iowa and Jefferson. See you there!
FRIDAY
U.S. Army Blues | Jazz Fest Main Stage (the capitol lawn) | 6 pm | FREE
The 2010 Toyota-Scion Iowa City Jazz Festival and the annual celebration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence coincide yet again. Peacenik that I may be, I cannot think of a better way to kick off the weekend than with the premier jazz ensemble of the U.S. Army. As a component of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” the 19-member Army Blues is one of the few remaining professional big bands working today. Comprised of alumni of prestigious music schools and veterans of the professional music scene, it is an ensemble of the finest jazz musicians in the nation.
The Army Blues plays homage to legends such as Duke Ellington and Stan Kenton. Many members are accomplished composers and arrangers who contribute their talents by writing for the ensemble—often catering to the musical strengths of the individual band members—much in the style of legendary big band arrangers.
SATURDAY
Roswell Rudd Trombone Tribe | 8 pm | Jazz Fest Main Stage | FREE
Roswell Rudd’s idea of a trombone army is not as pronounced as one might think when initially looking at the credits. It’s not an offshoot of Slide Hampton’s World of Trombones, but elaborates on the concept somewhat. Rudd’s veteran status and breadth of interest allow him to invite players of varied generations and persuasions to come play with him.
As noted on the Jazz Fest site:
Trombone Tribe shows its eclectic influences from down home to Kurt Weill to Eastern European gypsy brass music. Most important, this band can swing!!!
This weekend we will be treated to The proper Trombone Tribe: Roswell Rudd, Deborah Weisz and Steve Swell on trombones, Bob Stewart on tuba, bassist Henry Grimes, and drummer Barry Altschul, a quite formidable ensemble!
Afterparty: No doubt Trombone Tribe will get you out there. If you can still stand, walk down to the Yacht Club afterward – Daddy-O will be there to help you get waaay out there.
SUNDAY
Paul Smoker Notet | 6 pm | Fazz Fest Main Stage | FREE
We love to celebrate our very accomplished Iowa City alumni but, this time, don’t take if from us. Take it from Jazz Podium:
What Paul Smoker produced on his horn was unheard in these latitudes; his complete command of his instrument allowed him to play whatever extravaganza he would think of, harmonically as well as in terms of dynamics. Styles, modes and techniques of every era of the history of music–Baroque and Bebop, Structuralism and Storyville, Blues and Berio–Paul Smoker again and again managed to integrate them into the structures of his pieces. Equally mesmerizing were his chops which up to the end never gave out–neither in piercing highs nor in bottomless pedal notes. To the widely discussed question about the future development of the jazz trumpet, Paul Smoker’s musical concept could definitely constitute a far-reaching answer.
Trumpeter (though I prefer Trumpeteer) Paul Smoker got a doctorate in music from the UI School of Music in 1974, and this weekend he’s coming back to show us what he’s learned since then. He’ll be joined by guitarist Steve Salerno, bassist Ed Schuller and Phil Haynes on the drums.
Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio ft Jonathan Kreisberg and Jamire Williams | 8 pm | Jazz Fest Main Stage | FREE
Internationally known as one of the premier jazz keyboardists in the history of the idiom, Dr. Lonnie Smith is a dominant talent and pace-setting proponent of the Hammond B3 Organ and widely recognized and gifted pianist. “Dr. Lonnie Smith is a phenomenal B3 burner who can light up a room with visceral intensity or lay down some of the nastiest funk ever played on an organ,” states Bill Milkowski in JazzTimes. Lonnie has been at the forefront of the jazz scene since he was named Top Organist by Downbeat Magazine in 1969. He was voted the Organ Keyboardist of the Year in 2003, 2004 and 2005 by the Jazz Journalist Association.
And say, while you’re here:
