Monday, May 2, 2011

Jazz Under The Stars 2011 Schedule Released! - Dennis

The 2011 edition of the Corridor’s longest-running jazz series will include one of the most talked-about young jazz performers in the country, the legendary Blue Band, and more in four exciting August concerts.

For the 24th consecutive year, we're proud to present Jazz Under The Stars in Cedar Rapids Noelridge Park.

Here's the lineup:
•August 4 – Ariel Pocock
•August 11 – Funk Daddies
•August 18 – Dennis McPartland and The Jazz Underground
•August 27 – Bob Dorr and The Blue Band

Here's a little bit more about each artist:

August 4 – Ariel Pocock (presented in cooperation with West Music)
Ariel Pocock is just graduating from her suburban Seattle high school, but she has already garnered more awards and acclaim than many musicians twice her age. While still in middle school, she won the Lionel Hamption International Jazz Festival Young Performers Award. As a sophomore she won BOTH the Outstanding Piano and Outstanding Vocal awards at the Essentially Ellington Festival at Lincoln Center. She currently divides her time between her home in Washington State and studying jazz piano with the legendary Shelly Berg at the University of Miami.



August 11 – Funk Daddies
Funk Daddies is a five-piece band consisting of some of the Corridor’s best-known musicians, playing the music of Tower of Power, Earth Wind & Fire, and all the great Motown artists. The lineup includes names familiar to any Iowa music fan: Ken Duncan, Drums; Billy Davis, Saxophones; Craig Erickson, Guitar; Denny Ketelsen, Keyboards; Ken Fullard, Bass.



August 18 – Dennis McPartland and The Jazz Underground
Drummer Dennis McPartland leads a new group whose name comes from the first place they played together: the rough-hewn lower level of a since-closed restaurant. Joining Dennis will be Indian Hills jazz director Dave Sharp on saxophone, singer D Pittam, Uni guitar professor Bob Dunn and Steve Charlson, bass.

August 25 – Bob Dorr and The Blue Band
Iowa’s legendary blues and party band celebrates its 30th anniversary with its first-ever performance at Jazz Under The Stars. Founder Bob Dorr says “our Jazz Under The Stars debut will definitely be a highlight of the 30th anniversary tour.” The Blue Band features Dorr on vocals and co-founder Jeff Petersen on guitar. The regular roster also includes Cedar Rapids’ own Al Naylor on trumpet, Steve Hayes on drums and Mark Linda on bass. However, an ever-rotating cast of Blue Band alumni regularly sit in, so anything can happen!



All concerts start at 7pm in Noelridge Park in Cedar Rapids.

In case of inclement weather, the concerts will move indoors to Parlor City Pub, 1125 3rd Street SE. For updates, listen to Jazz 88.3 over the air, online at www.kcck.org or follow KCCK on Twitter or Facebook for schedule updates.

Food and refreshments will be available for purchase at the concerts. But feel free to bring your own picnic, along with lawn chairs, and blankets.

We're very grateful to the Jazz Under The Stars Sponsors, who help us keep this great free series going! Pat McGrath Chevyland, Collins Community Credit Union, Rockwell Collins, Latta, Harris, Hanon & Penningroth, Shive Hattery Architecture Engineering, Northtowne Cycling & Fitness, West Music and Kirkwood Community College.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Looks fabulous! Can't wait to hear Ariel Pocock!!

Anonymous said...

I heard Ariel Pocock last year and she was just AMAZING!!