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 Wilbur Dugas © Andra Canter A neighborhood event since 2002, the Selby Avenue Jazz Festival will be held for the sixth year on Saturday, September 8th, at the intersection of Selby and Milton in St. Paul. Featuring music, food concessions, arts booths and activities for the whole family, the “the biggest backyard party in St. Paul” is a much anticipated community event. “We’re really pleased with the diverse line-up of entertainers that will be gracing the JazzFest stage this year,” said Mychael Wright, community business leader, owner of the Golden Thyme Coffee Shop and the “Father of the Fest. “Our musical line-up this year certainly has something for everyone. There will be plenty of other things to do including a kids’ play area and food and art vendors--all surrounded by a wonderful spirit of community.” This year’s free festival is sponsored by the Mississippi Market, Selby Area CDC, Golden Thyme Coffee Shop, St. Paul Pioneer Press, Family and Children’s Services, Western Bank and KFAI Radio.
 Felix James © Andrea Canter The line-up, running Noon til 8 pm:  Salsa Del Soul, Nelson and Gloria © Andrea Canter Dick and Jane’s Big Brass Band. Returning for their third year, this trad band will kickoff the day’s festivities with a New Orleans-style procession throughout the festival grounds. Saint City African Drumming with Pops Rembert. Irie Sol and Angelo Williamson with Caribbean Style. Blending blend reggae, dancehall, ska, jazz, soul, funk, rock, and hip hop, this band reflects the diverse heritage of its musicians, natives of Canada, Jamaica, Korea, the East Coast, Minneapolis, and northern Wisconsin. The band features melodic vocals and a full horn section. SUNplug’d with Ken Wanaku (Sweet Afrikan Kontry Muziki with Jazz Flavor). A native of the British Cameroons, Ken Wanaku is a descendant of the Kom Kingdom tribe. Growing up on a coffee farm in the West African region of Adamawa, he was exposed to the culture of the tribes in this region through competitive music, dance and arts festivals. Drawing on the traditions of many cultures using a unique finger-picking style on the guitar, Ken will bring an exciting array of sounds to the festival. The Legends of Jazz. Some of the legends of Twin Cities jazz will join forces, including Wilburt Dugas, Felix James, Mike Scroggins, Melvin Carter, Sr. and Yolanda Bruce, presenting classics from Ellington to Bassie to Fitzgerald and beyond.  Wain McFarlane Salsa del Soul with Chai. Perhaps the most popular Latin band in the area, Salsa del Soul has a weekly gig at The Times Bar & Café and is an annual act at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. This nine-piece orchestra performs various styles of dance music from the Spanish-speaking regions of the Caribbean, including Son, Montuno, Cha-Cha-Cha, Merengue, Plena, and, of course, Salsa. Wherever Salsa del Soul performs, dancing is sure to follow. Wain McFarlane and Jahz. Jahz features Ipso Facto leader and guitar virtuoso Wain McFarlane along with drummer Stokely Williams of Mint Condition and Joto. Wain’s been a regular performer at such venues as Rossi’s, the Fine Line and Cabooze and has jammed with such artists as Branford Marsalis, Don Cheadle, Michael Bland, Dave Pirner, Ziggy Marley, Tracy Chapman, Cyndi Lauper and Prince. For more information about the Selby Avenue Jazz Festival, contact Mychael Wright at (651) 645-1340; www.selbyareacdc.org. |