Organizers announce Elkhart Jazz Festival lineup
ELKHART — The level of performers for this year’s Elkhart Jazz Festival will reach new heights, organizers said Wednesday after announcing the lineup.
The theme of this year’s festival: Worthy of Note.
“The Elkhart Jazz Festival has a history of 36 years of celebrating musical diversity with incredible performances from world-renowned artists, with four days of music across six stages, each with both free and ticketed options,” Elkhart Jazz Festival director Ben Decker said. “More than 50 performances will showcase a jazz-rooted roster with names you won’t want to miss.”
The festival kicks off at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 20, with Connie Han at The Lerner Theatre for a free show for the community to enjoy. Also, Wellfield Botanic Garden starts its ticketed Groovin’ in the Garden series with Steven Perry Quartet followed by Dave Bennett.
The Elkhart Jazz Festival this year will include a pair of top shows worthy of note.
“Our headlining acts are a caliber we haven’t seen for the Elkhart Jazz Festival,” Decker said.
One of the headliners is Keb’ Mo’, who has five Grammy wins among 13 nominations. He has performed many places including The White House and Carnegie Hall. He will perform on Friday, June 21.
Available for June 21 will be a “Festival Day Pass,” which includes access to indoor stages at the Crystal Ballroom inside The Lerner Theatre and the Elkhart Public Library’s Atrium. There will be performances by Rebecca Jade, Kait Dunton Band, Eric Jacobson, Isabella Isherwood. Also performing on outdoor, free stages will be Adam Hawley, The Nth Power, Scott Allen, Dave Bennett and Couch.
A second headliner, Legendary Count Basie Orchestra, will perform on Saturday, June 22. Guests will recognize what sets them apart after earning their recent Grammy for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album. In fact, 40 years after Count Basie’s passing, the orchestra has won every respected jazz poll in the world, has 19 Grammy Awards, performed for royalty, appeared in TV shows and movies, and played for the biggest jazz festivals and concert halls in the world.
A free day of jazz is scheduled for Sunday, June 23. The Lerner Theatre will host David Hilliker’s Jazz Tribute and Truth in Jazz with special guest Dave Bennett. The Central Park stage will start at 12:30 p.m. with Third Shore Collective, Cohen-Rutkowski Project featuring Sandy Lomax, and Emma Hedrick. The annual Jazz Brunch in The Crystal Ballroom, sold separately, features performances by Rafael Chavez Trio and The Dean’s List.
The Elkhart Public Library also continues a collaboration of their free Curbside Concerts series with a rooftop stage rocking late-night. On June 21, the library hosts Jagalchi and Paul Erdman. For June 22, Rebel Noire kicks off the Curbside Concert series followed by Lalo Cura.
Decker anticipates large crowds, contingent upon the weather.
For a complete musician line-up and schedule, and to purchase tickets, go to www.elkhartjazzfestival.com. The complete schedule will be up in the next few days, organizers said.
For ticket information, contact The Lerner Theatre Box Office at 574-293-4469 or TheLerner.com. For festival information, contact Elkhart Festivals Inc. at 574-218-6477.
