University News
Toe-Tapping Dixieland Jazz at Al Sears Jazz Festival in the Park Sept. 16
August 30, 2006
MACOMB, IL - - What better way to jump start MacombÂ’s fifth annual Al Sears Jazz Festival in the Park Saturday, Sept. 16 than with the internationally acclaimed New Reformation Band (NRB) and a sampling of classic Dixieland jazz?
“The New Reformation Band is the most refreshing thing to come out of Saginaw since the invention of the steering gear. Five minutes with these guys finds your toes tapping and your spirits lifted," wrote Hollywood columnist Jim Leach.
So get ready for some good times beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday (Sept. 16) when the NRB will be on tap at ChandlerÂ’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill, 127 E. Carroll St., for a classic jazz demonstration featuring early jazz styles. NRB also will perform on the festival stage in Chandler Park at 9 p.m. Both events are open free to the public.
Founded in 1970 for a single performance at Saginaw’s (MI) First Congregational Church, the New Reformation Band is recognized as one of the country’s leading classic jazz groups. The NRB has given thousands of traditional jazz – considered by many to be America’s only original art form – performances worldwide, appearing at national jazz festivals; with U.S. symphony orchestras; on cruise ships; in arenas and concert halls; at supper clubs and show lounges; hotels and resorts; expositions, fairs and festivals; golf, yacht, and country clubs; colleges and universities; as well as hundreds of worship services in churches of many faiths. The group also has produced 15 critically acclaimed albums.
From noon to 11 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 16), the place to be is Chandler Park. At noon the 16-piece big band Navy Band Great Lakes Jazz Ensemble will open the daylong Sears Festival in the Park,. The ensemble is one of 12 great performances scheduled for Saturday. The dayÂ’s events are open free to the public. Festival-goers should bring lawn chair and blankets.
Al Sears Jazz Festival activities begin Wednesday, Sept. 13 with the 7:30 p.m. Hopper Jazztet concert in Western IllinoisÂ’ College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) Recital Hall. Admission is free.
From 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis will headline a group of five guest musicians in the Al Sears Jazz Festival “Artists in Residence Day” on Western’s campus, with clinics, master classes, breakout sessions and rehearsals. Registration ($20) deadline is Friday, Sept. 8. Contact University Bands at 309/298-1505 or e-mail John Cooper at JB-Cooper@wiu.edu.
Marsalis is appearing in conjunction with the Sears Jazz Festival and kicking off WesternÂ’s Bureau of Cultural Affairs (BCA) 2006-07 season with his trio in a 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 concert in the COFAC Recital Hall. Admission is $20 for adults, $17 for seniors 62 and older and $12 for youth 17 and younger. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, Sept. 5. Call the Browne Hall Hainline Theatre Box Office from noon-5 p.m. weekdays for tickets, telephone 309/298-2900.
Before the BCA show, relax with some Jazz in the Clubs from 5-7 p.m. (Sept. 15), featuring Ann Collins (piano) and Vicki Mayo (vocal) at ChandlerÂ’s, B-Flat Avenue at MagnoliaÂ’s and The Vishnu Springs Trio at Sullivan-Taylor Coffee House.
The festival will close with a noon Sunday, Sept. 17 Jazz Brunch at ChandlerÂ’s, with music by the WIU Alumni Reunion Jazz Trio. Cost of the brunch is $9.95 plus tax; reservations are recommended, call 309/833-3000.
The Al Sears Jazz Festival was created and named to honor the American Jazz contributions of Macomb native Albert Omega Sears, a mostly self-taught tenor saxophonist who is remembered for his recorded solos while in the Duke Ellington Band and working with Lionel Hampton and Johnny Hodges. Sears made significant contributions to the rhythm and blues genre in the 1950s and contributed to the emergence of rock and roll.
Festival sponsors include the City of Macomb and Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Corporation; and Western Illinois UniversityÂ’s College of Fine Arts and Communication, Bureau of Cultural Affairs and Tri-States Public Radio.
For more information, including the complete schedule of events, visit www.searsjazzfestival.com.
Past Releases
Aug. 23 - Navy Jazz Band Opens Al Sears Jazz Festival in the Park Sept. 16
Aug. 16 - Ellis Marsalis Headlines Artists in Residence Day; BCA Concert at WIU; Appears in Conjunction with Al Sears Jazz Festival
Aug. 7 - Fifth Annual Al Sears Jazz Festival September 13-17 in Macomb
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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