Kenny Garrett © Andrea Canter

Once again, Mears Park in downtown St. Paul will host the kickoff weekend, from Friday evening June 22 and much of the day on Saturday, June 23^rd. The line up (thus far) at Mears Park’s Summit Brewing Stage:

• Kenny Garrett (Friday, June 22). One of the most influential jazz artists of his generation, alto/soprano sax monster Kenny Garrett has been a major force in jazz since his first appearances with the Jazz Messengers and Miles Davis twenty years ago. Sizzling with the release of his acclaimed Beyond the Wall, Garrett is always a big draw and hot show.

Chuchito Valdés

Jon Webber © Andrea Canter

• Irv Williams and Jon Weber (Friday, June 22). What a pairing—Minnesota’s tenor sax legend, Irv Williams, with the walking encyclopedia of music and keyboard virtuoso Jon Weber. Jon knows the smallest facts and Irv has lived through most of them! Expect sublime duets, original tunes and hard bop classics.

• Chuchito Valdes (Saturday, June 23). Pianist/composer/arranger Jesus “Chuchito” Valdes has big shoes to fill as the son of esteemed pianist Chucho Valdes and grandson of one of the founding fathers of modern Afro-Cuban music, Bebo Valdes. A graduate of the acclaimed Irakere band, he currently lives in Mexico where he leads the Afro-Cuban Ensemble.

• Jon Weber, Salsa del Soul, the Nova Jazz Orchestra, Miguel Hurtado and Walker West Student Ensembles will also be on the Mears Park schedule.

The festival moves across the river to Peavey Plaza in downtown Minneapolis, Friday-Sunday, June 29-July 1. Sponsored this year by Caribou Coffee, the main stage line-up includes:

Grace Kelly

Barbara Morrison © Andrea Canter

• Barbara Morrison (Friday, June 29). One of the most soulful songstress of her (or any) generation, Barbara Morrison returns to the festival with her swinging renditions of blues and jazz standards. Last year she scored one of the fastest rising CDs on the Jazz Week radio charts with the release of Live at the Dakota. Always a crowd pleaser!

• Grace Kelly (Friday, June 29). At fourteen, alto saxophonist Grace Kelly has already caught the ears of Jimmy Heath, Lee Konitz and Phil Woods. A recent winner of an ASCAP Young Composers Award as well as taking top honors for woodwind soloist and alto voice soloist at the 2007 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, Grace also won in four categories in the 2006 Downbeat Student Awards. In addition to jazz festival appearances, Grace has performed at Scullers in her native Boston and at Carnegie Hall. She’ll leave you breathless.

• Ginger Commodore (Friday, June 29). At last summer’s festival, Ginger and her quartet recorded a live CD, released this winter. One of the most popular vocalists in the region, Ginger’s range runs the gamut from balladry to gospel, swing to soul.

• Dan Kusz Band with Ronny Loew. (Friday, June 29). Young smooth sax artist Dan Kusz drew one of the biggest crowds of the 2006 festival, and in partnership with Ronny Loew, Peavey Plaza hosts two young guys who have redefined smooth jazz in Minnesota.

Charmaine Neville

Alex Han © Andrea Canter

• Charmaine Neville (Saturday, June 30). Spreading her brand of New Orleans jazz and funk, Charmaine Neville has been a fixture lately at the Crescent City showcase club, Snug Harbor. The daughter of saxophonist Charles Neville started out as back-up vocalist to her father and uncles (Neville Brothers Band); today the singer, dancer, actress and comedienne has what Time Magazine declared as the “best pair of lungs” in New Orleans.

• Paul Stubblefield & Alex Han (Saturday, June 30). At age 17, Alex Han dazzled jazz festival crowds on Peavey Plaza in 2005, the same year that he performed with the Monterey Jazz Festival Next Generation Orchestra. A winner of the ASCAP Young Composers Award, a Downbeat Student Music Award, and the Yahama Young Performing Artists Competition for saxophone, he currently attends the Berklee College of Music (Boston) on a Presidential Scholarship. In the past few months, Alex has performed at the Iridium in New York City and with Paquito D’Rivera at Carnegie Hall, and will soon appear with Marcus Miller at Lincoln Center. This summer he’ll be on stage with jazz/soul drummer Paul Stubblefield.

• U.S. Airforce Notables (Saturday, June 30). The Notables are the “little big band” of the U.S. Airforce Heartland of America Band. The 14-piece jazz ensemble is one of the most popular among military bands, and has performed over the years with Bob Hope, Bobby Shew and Doc Severinson.

MITY © Andrea Canter

Bill Crutcher © Andrea Canter

• Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth (Saturday, June 30). The MITY Jazz Band is always a treat at the summer jazz festival. Jazz is alive and well in Minnesota in part due to the many talented students that come together each summer at MITY.

• Bill Crutcher (Saturday, June 30). Another perennial favorite at the festival, Bill Crutcher’s Works in Progress Sextet brims with diverse influences from mainstream jazz to R&B and Latin.

• Nachito Herrera (Sunday, July 1). The Cuban keyboard dynamo is back, with the rhythms of his homeland and the inventions of modern post bop. Since emigrating to Minnesota five years ago, Nachito has been one of the most popular attractions in local jazz. His three recordings have brought him national recognition, and his small ensembles and big band have brought many new fans to Cuban music.

• Charanga Tropicale (Sunday, July 1). Cuban salsa with a midwest tang, Charanga is led by saxophonist Doug Little, with winds and strings. Bring your dancing shoes!

• Triplicate (Sunday, July 1). An inventive trio featuring guitarist Joel Shapira, bassist Bruce “Pooch” Heine and drummer Dave Stanoch, Triplicate features original compositions and modern jazz covers.

More music will be announced shortly as well as special shows at the Artists Quarter in St. Paul and the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis. Full schedule, artist information, etc. will be posted shortly at www.hotsummerjazz.com. As always, check Jazz Police for daily performance previews and full festival coverage!