Kevin Washington © Andrea Canter

The 9^th annual Freedom Jazz Festival will be held at historic Minnehaha Falls Park in south Minneapolis on August 11^th. An event that truly celebrates family and community as well as America’s indigenous music, music reigns from noon til dark at “The Ball at the Falls,” featuring mostly jazz as well as blues, funk, gospel, R & B, and world music. Among the performers this year will be local sax legend Dean Brewington; Peruvian guitar master Andres Prado; Ipso-Facto guitarist Wain McFarlane; producer/saxman/keyboardist Walter Chancellor; worldy groovers The Bill Crutcher Group; the soulful voices of Thomasina Petrus and Bruce Henry; mighty percussion leaders Patrice and Kevin Washington; trumpeter Jeff Keys and Urban Cadence; and more!

Bruce Henry © Andea Canter

With the primary sponsorship of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and Freedom Jazz Festival, Inc., the festival has grown from its humble beginnings with about 300 attendees to its current status as one of the area’s major arts events of the summer, drawing an estimated 4,000 to enjoy a full day (Noon til 8 pm) of eclectic jazz, arts and crafts, concessions, clowns and face painting, and special recognition of the local nurturers of jazz through the Sam Favors Award, presented annually to an “African American musician that represents the creativity, dedication, energy, and spirit of Jazz in Minnesota and beyond.”

Patrice © Andrea Canter

Lamarr Scott © Andrea Canter

For the full schedule and other information, visit www.freedomjazzfestival.org. Minnehaha Falls Park is located at 4801 Minnehaha Av in Minneapolis, 10 minutes from downtown Minneapolis, 15 minutes from downtown St. Paul, and easily accessible by Light Rail. The festival is free.