 Zooid at ICJF © Andrea Canter
What free major jazz
event is within an easy day’s drive of the Twin Cities, Chicago, Omaha, and
a bit less St. Louis? The 14th Annual Iowa City Jazz
Festival takes place June 30-July 2 in the middle of one of the most
culturally astute, jazz friendly small towns in America. Held on the
famed (and shaded!) “Pentacrest” of the University of Iowa, this
festival has grown in stature and musical offerings to be one of the
best of the free outdoor festivals in the nation. The line-up this
year is dazzling, from the explosive modern dramaticsts The Bad Plus
to the organic vibes of Mel Rhyne to the sublime piano of Geof Keezer
to the post bop modernism of the Mingus Dynasty.
Interspersed among the national headliners will be the best of local
and regional jazz, as well as youth and college band tents promoting
the future of jazz in Iowa and beyond.
 Robin Eubanks © Don Berryman The fun starts with
street
jazz on Friday night, with the main stage events getting underway
Saturday afternoon at 2 pm and continuing through late evening and
then again from Sunday noon til well after dark. Jams at the nearby
Sheraton and area music bars ensure many hours of jazz for those who
just can not get enough. Concessions across from the Pentacrest will
keep you fueled throughout the weekend, and feature such nonstandard
Iowa fare as gourmet delights from the cuisines of India, Africa,
Greece and Asia, along with “state fair” staples like corn dogs
and ice cream.  Don and Beverly © Andrea Canter
Mainstage Headliners
for 2006
Robin Eubanks with the U of I Jazz Ensemble (4 pm, Saturday). A great college faculty band hosts one of the greatest, Robin Eubanks. Doing double duty this weekend with the Mingus Dynasty, Eubanks may be best known for his collaborations with Dave Holland (big band and quintet) as well as his own EB3 and Mental Images.
Mel Rhyne (6 pm,
Saturday) has been burning up the organ for decades, early in
his career with Wes Montgomery and more recently in the company of
young stars such as Eric Alexander and Peter Bernstein.
Immediate Left with
Tim Hagens (8 pm, Saturday). The veteran
trumpeter who cut his teeth with Woody Herman and Stan Kenton was
later influenced by such luminaries as Joe Lovano and Bob Belden, and
today is considered one of the leading voices of edgy modern jazz.
The Bad Plus (10
pm,
Saturday) need no introduction for any jazz fans who have
been awake in this millennium. An all acoustic trio with an
all-electric karma, these three musicians have blown the top off
record sales and festival tents with their reworkings of rock covers
and creative original works.
Rachael Price (2 pm
Sunday) is a fast-rising star with a recent performance at
the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. The young vocalist and New
England Conservatory of Music student has released an acclaimed debut
recording and won a National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts
young artist award for 2004.
Andy Milne
and Dapp Theory (4 pm, Sunday). Milne is considered one
of the most exciting of modern pianists, having worked with Steve
Coleman and other members of the M-Base Collective. Today he tours
with Ralph Alessi and Ravi Coltrane, and his Dapp Theory is one of
the leading cutting edge ensembles in New York.
Geoffrey Keezer Trio (6 pm, Sunday). Art Blakey’s pianist at only 17, Wisconsin native Geoffrey Keezer has the credentials of a wizened veteran at only 34. As composer and performer, his talents are boundless and his collaborators legion—particularly Jim Hall and Joe Locke. Hear a prodigy who has lived up to his early hype, in the fine company of bassist Mike Pope and drummer Terreon Gully.
Mingus Dynasty
(8 pm, Sunday) is one of several ensembles under the
Mingus umbrella, this one the smaller seven-piece band dedicated to
the music and legacy of the great bassist, under the direction of
widow Sue Mingus.
Iowa City Jazz Festival
2006 Line-up Main Stage: June 30th - July 2nd
Friday June 30th
6:30 p.m. - United Jazz Ensemble
7:30 p.m. - Orquesta Alto Maiz
Saturday July 1st
2:00 p.m. - South Shore Youth Jezz Ensemble
4:00 p.m. - U of I Jazz Ensemble w/ Robin Eubanks
6:00 p.m. - Mel Rhyne Trio
8:00 p.m. - Immediate Left feat. Tim Hagans and Scott Kinsey
10:00 p.m. - Bad Plus
Sunday July 2nd
12:00 p.m. - Bob Dorr and the Blue Band
2:00 p.m. - Rachael Price
4:00 p.m. - Andy Milne and Dapp Theory
6:00 p.m. - Geoffery Keezer Trio
8:00 p.m. - Mingus Dynasty
You don’t need
reservations or tickets for the Iowa City Jazz Festival, just a
decent lawn chair (and umbrella just in case!). But you will need
reservations for overnight lodging—check out the nearly adjacent
Sheraton Hotel or any of the many motels and B&Bs in the area. If
you call the Sheraton, ask for Jazz Weekend rates, code “Jazz” at
800-848-1335. Iowa City is located off Interstate 80, just east of
I-380, in eastern Iowa. More information about the festival can be
found at
www.iowacityjazzfestival.com. |
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Saturday, 22 November 2008
