Yohannes Tona©Andrea Canter

“It’s got just the right free-spirited vibe to keep things loose, and each year the line-up gets more impressive.” –Mpls-St Paul Magazine, Best of the Twin Cities 2007

OK, so there’s not a long list of neighborhood jazz festivals in the Twin Cities and one of the biggest (Freedom Jazz Festival) canceled its plans for 2008. But for a grassroots neighborhood gathering in the name of jazz, you really can’t beat the annual happening at Milton and Selby Avenues in St. Paul, and the free, seventh annual such event will be held this Saturday, September 13th, from 11 am – 7 pm.

This is not just a celebration of local jazz but a celebration of family and community. It’s part street fair, part bazaar, and of course, a large part a diverse selection of jazz. Festival founder and “father” Mychal Wright of Golden Thyme Coffee describes the Selby Jazz Festival as “the biggest backyard party in St. Paul.” Initiated in 2002, Mychal notes that “I didn’t have a grand opening celebration for my business, Golden Thyme Coffee Café. As we got up and running, I wanted to see how the community would react to a yearly music fest-type of event. The first anniversary of 9/11 was coming up and you could just tell that people were feeling pretty somber. I then thought to myself, ‘I’m tired of feeling this way. We need to celebrate the good things that are going on in this world...especially here on Selby.’ Nothing gets people together like a good old-fashioned block party, so we took it from there.” Over the years since 2002, the festival has expanded from about 700 to the record-breaking 9500 who attended in 2007.

Wander through the closed-off intersection for “state fair food with a southern soul flair” to game areas for kids and booths boasting arts and handcrafts from local talents. And sit back to enjoy the area’s hottest musicians, from the opening parade with Dick and Jane’s Big Brass Band to the closing act with Jason “Mallet Man” Taylor.

Selby Jazz Festival Line-Up

• 11:00 am, Dick and Jane’s Big Brass Band and Parade. The Twin Cities’ own Second Line has been performing for 14 years, covering the street music of New Orleans as well as just about anything else you can blow with brass---samba, mambo, Dixieland, klezmer, funk and more. Founders Dick Danaher (sax) and wife Jane (percussion) lead the band at May Day and other celebrations as well as through community and corporate gigs. A high energy kick-off parade with Dick and Jane is a guaranteed fun way to start this event.

• Noon, Walker West Music Academy Urban Legends of Jazz. On of the area’s leading cultural institutions and breeding ground for our growing jazz scene, Walker West assembles a talented band from its faculty, alumni and rising stars.

Wenso Ashby and Zsa Zsa Morgan

• 1 pm, Wenso Ashby Zsamé Morgan. Smooth jazz in the best of terms, with Ashby on keys and Chicago transplant Morgan on vocals. Soulful, funky, and always engaging.

John Raymond©Andrea Canter

• 2 pm, Mikhalized. Danish-American recording artist Mikhala Iverson sang it all, from opera to gospel, but jazz is her destiny. Her reinterpretations of the great tunes of the 30s and 40s is termed “reggae-muffin” would be greeted with approval from the likes of Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday.

• 3 pm, Yohannes Tona. Ethiopian native/electric bassist Yohannes Tona brings his unique “Afrounkjazz” sounds to original compositions, featured recently on his acclaimed recording, Sand From the Desert. A popular band at area festivals and clubs, Tona has quickly become one of the most respected musicians in town.

• 4:15 pm, John Raymond Project. He’s young but John Raymond has packed a lot of experience into his 22 years. Playing when barely out of high school with such ensembles as Jazz Is Now, Yohnnes Tona and Nachito Herrera, John has also proven himself to be a capable bandleader, elegant composer, and eclectic performer. High energy reigns!

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  Salsa Del Soul©Andrea Canter
  5 pm, Salsa del Soul. Salsa del Soul has put the Twin Cities on the Latin music map! They have regular gigs at the Times Bar and Café and are perennial favorites at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. Better bring your dancing shoes.

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  Malletman
  6 pm, Jason “Malletman” Taylor. Brooklyn native Jason Taylor grew up listening to the big kahuna of vibes, Lionel Hampton, and became one of Hamp’s protégés. Blending jazz, R&B and funk into his own “Vibrafunk,” Taylor has received five Grammy nominations over his 20-year recording career. His appearance is sponsored by a City of St. Paul Cultural STAR Grant.

Other Activities

• 2-6 pm, Puppet Making for kids with the Heart of the Beast Puppet Theater

• 4:00 pm. Awards Ceremony featuring Leigh Kamman and Merle Harris

The Selby Avenue Jazz Festival is held at the intersection of Selby and Milton Avenues in St. Paul, west of downtown. Main event sponsors include Golden Thyme Café, Selby Area CDC, City of St. Paul STAR program, St. Paul Pioneer Press, KBEM Radio, Twin Cities.com, Family and Childrens Services, In the Heart of the Beast Puppet Theater, Anchor Bank, Western Bank, Quit Plan, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Mississippi Market.

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