Jazz Police - Just Down the Road: The Iowa City Jazz Festival, July 4-6

Nostalgia might have prompted my first trip to my hometown jazz festival in Iowa City, but the quality of the music and organization bring me back. Within a day’s drive of the Twin Cities (about 5 hours south), Chicago, Omaha and St. Louis, the Iowa City Jazz Festival has deservedly earned its “top ten” reputation among free public festivals nationwide. Beyond three stages boasting the best in national, local and student musicians, the ICJF supplies the classiest “street food” in mid-America, and the sum total is one hot holiday weekend, July 4-6.

The 18th Toyota Scion Iowa City Jazz Festival is now a component of the Iowa City Summer of the Arts; long-time festival director and guitarist Steve Grismore remains on the scene as festival coordinator. Summer of the Arts brings several big events under one umbrella and calls attention to Iowa City as the cultural mecca it has become, featuring music, dance, theater and creative arts of all sorts throughout the summer (and, in fact, all year long). But the biggest draw to this college community in eastern Iowa is the jazz festival, bringing an average of 25,000 each summer to the heart of downtown and the University of Iowa campus. Now held on the partially shaded lawn of the famed Pentacrest (the center of the U of I administration anchored by “Old Capitol”—Iowa’s first statehouse), the festival has grown from a one-day local showcase in 1991 to a three-night/two-day jazz menagerie combining the highest level of international touring artists with local, college and high school bands, late night jams at the Sheraton Hotel, radio interviews, school clinics, and more.

Medeski, Martin and Wood (and Scofield), by Dennis Clinch

Because side stage bands are scheduled during down time on the main stage, festival attendees do not have to pick and choose from among the featured performances; and during mainstage breaks, the three side stages are in close enough proximity to allow for a sampling of all, particularly since the scheduled groups typically perform twice. It is easy to grab a plateful of African vegetable stew, pulled pork flautus, some samosas or just a burger and fries and wander from stage to stage before heading back (across the street) for the next act on the Pentacrest. Hot? (Of course, this is Iowa in July!) Line up for a cone or cup of mango gelato, a smoothie, or make your own ice cream sundae, the perfect accompaniment to the Joshua Redman Trio or Medeski, Martin and Wood. Even more adventurous? Try something from the Ethiopian menu to go with the electronic wizardry of John Scofield and the ScoHorns or the avant garde refrains of violinist Jenny Scheinman.

2008 Festival Headliners on the Main Stage

Friday, July 4, Medeski, Martin and Wood (8 pm). MMW has become one of the most popular bands in modern music. Formed in 1991 in Brooklyn by New England Conservatory of Music cohorts keyboard/organ/piano player John Medeski, drummer/percussionist Billy Martin, and bassist Chris Wood bring fun and spontaneity to the world of contemporary jazz. This year, MMW’s “Viva La Evoluation” Tour reflects the trio’s current focus on composing, with new works to be presented and refined throughout their tour.

Saturday, July 5, Bonerama (6 pm). Definitely not your Midwest jazz band! With a 4 trombone frontline that takes apart Hendrix and Led Zeppelin in the context of New Orleans Funk, Bonerama defies all stereotypes. First, there’s no trumpets or saxes, yet this is definitely a brass band. Voted the Best Rock Band (Big Easy Awards, 2007), Bonerama has been described by Rolling Stone as “the ultimate in brass balls” (2005), which also praised their "…crushing ensemble riffing, human-feedback shrieks and wah-wah growls."

Jenny Scheinman, by Cheryl Aday

Saturday, July 5, John Scofield Trio and the ScoHorns (8 pm). Guitaris John Scofield is often mentioned as one of the Big Three of modern jazz guitar, in the company of Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell. Counting Charles Mingues, Miles Davis and Gary Burton on his resume, Scofield’s trademark sound is an amalgam of traditional jazz, funk, R&B and electronica—the essence of jazz rock. With his core trio of Larry Grenadier on bass and Bill Stewart on drums, Scofield adds new dimensions with a horn section of Phl Grenadier on trumpet, Eddie Salkin on tenor sax and flutes, and Frank Vacin on bari sax and bari clarinet.

Sunday July 6, Jenny Scheinman (6 pm). An Oberlin graduate who grew up surrounded by rural roots music, Scheinman has been a Down Beat Rising Star talent on violin best known for her original, edgy compositions. But wait, Scheinman just released a recording of bluesy, countrified rock-oriented vocals, so anything goes! She’s accompanied Norah Jones and shared the recording studio with Bill Frisell and Jason Moran…. so she defies classification.

Joshua Redman

Sunday, July 6, Joshua Redman Trio (8 pm). Now touring in the fine company of bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Brian Blade, Joshua Redman has established his credentials as one of the leading voice on tenor sax of his generation or perhaps of any living generation. Son of the late saxman Dewey Redman, Joshua won the Thelonious Monk Saxophone Competition in 1991 and since has issued a series of acclaimed recordings, led the SF Jazz Collective through its first four seasons, and recently relocated to New York, marked by the release of Back East.

Festival Schedule, Friday, July 4th

Main Stage

4:30 pm, United Jazz Ensemble.
6:00 pm, Sam Salamone Trio
8:00 pm, Medeski, Martin and Wood

Youth Stage

5:30 & 7:30 pm, The Midwest Jazz Collective

Local Stage

5:30 & 7:30 pm, Grooveship

College Stage

5:30 & 7:30 pm, Koplant No

Festival Schedule, Saturday, July 5

Main Stage

2:00 pm, Euforquestra
4:00 pm, Garaj Mahal
6:00 pm, Bonerama
8:00 pm , John Scofield Trio and the ScoHorns

Youth Stage

1:30 & 3:30 pm, Oatts Boys
5:30 & 7:30 pm, Keyhole Students

Local Stage

1:30 & 3:30 pm, The Dave Altmeier Group
5:30 & 7:30 pm, Checker & the Blue Tones

College Stage

1:30 & 3:30 pm, Executive Lunch
5:30 & 7:30 pm, Fresh Heir

Festival Schedule, Sunday, July 5

Main Stage

2:00 pm, Rod Pierson Big Band
4:00 pm, Brent Sandy Quartet
6:00 pm, Jenny Scheinman
8:00 pm, Joshua Redman Trio

Youth Stage

1:30 & 3:30 pm, Silver Swing Band
5:30 & 7:30 pm, Washington High Combo

Local Stage

1:30 & 3:30 pm, Katie Roche and the Dioramas
5:30 & 7:30 pm, Local Clamor

College Stage

1:30 & 3:30 pm, Three Page Fives
5:30 & 7:30 pm, Group X

For more information, visit www.iowacityjazzfestival.com. Accommodations at the Sheraton Hotel and Hotel Vetro downtown and numerous motel options within a few miles of the festival. The Iowa City Jazz Festival is a free outdoor event.