The debut of an outdoor concert at the 2009 Edmonton International Jazz Festival is just one of the things the Edmonton Jazz Festival Society has in store for fans year.
"Jazz in the Park" is an all-day outdoor concert to be held at Louise McKinney Park, beside the Shaw Conference Centre, on Saturday June 27 from noon to 8:00 p.m.. The free concert series will feature an eclectic mix of performers including Joel Gray, Bomba, Yannick Rieu, Maraca and the Edmonton Jazz Orchestra with Alfie Zappacosta.
Kent Sangster, Executive Director and Festival Producer, provided details about the festival at a media event held Tuesday afternoon. The Edmonton International Jazz Festival takes place June 25 through July 5 at various venues across the city, Click here to download the schedule (pdf).
Previously announced headliners for the festival are the Branford Marsalis Quartet and the John Abercrombie Organ Trio, playing at the Winspear Centre on June 28, 2009. Marsalis is a world-renowned, three time Grammy Award winning saxophonist.
The Derek Trucks Band will kick off the festival on June 25, 2009. Trucks, 30-years-old, is considered to be one of the finest guitar players of his generation. His debut Capital Region show at Festival Place in 2007 quickly sold out.
Another highlight of the festival is 15 year old jazz sensation Niki Yanofsky, performing July 3 as part of the MacLab Series.
The Edmonton Jazz Festival Society is looking for volunteers to assist with the Festival. They're holding a volunteer session on May 31 at the Yardbird Suite between 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
