LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The 5th Annual Uptown Jazz & Blues Festival hosted by Greater Lafayette Commerce and presented by Lafayette Bank and Trust will be held on Saturday August 22, 2009 from 5:00pm to midnight in the 5th Street Farmers Market area between Columbia and Main Streets in downtown Lafayette. The official “After Party” will be held at Indiana’s Oldest Bar, the Knickerbocker Saloon, from midnight to 3:00am.
The annual Jazz & Blues Festival features “hot blues and cool jazz” on three stages and a variety of food from local eateries.
Advance tickets are $8 for adults, $12 at the door. Children 12 to 5 are $5 and under 5 free. Uptown Jazz and Blues Festival advance tickets are available at the locations listed on the community calendar.
Historic downtown Lafayette adds to the ambience of this festival and the mood of the music.
“Downtown is our community living room,” says Dennis Carson, Director of the Downtown Development Council. “It is not only a destination for commerce and government but a place where we gather with friends, family and visitors to share and celebrate greater Lafayette.”
Mayor Tony Roswarski adds, “Residents and visitors can make a full day of it by visiting the many shops, restaurants and galleries downtown including Indiana’s oldest farmers market and then spend the evening with great entertainment.”
Entertainment will feature imported and domestic talent selected by Lafayette Bank and Trust Vice President and local musician Mark Molter and Charlie Hoovler, Jazz and Blues aficionado and owner of Life Employment. There will be three stages of continuous music to enjoy throughout the night.
Souled Out Band
“We have another exceptional band line-up this year. We are excited to have the Souled Out Band from the Muncie area headline the festival. They are an 11 piece soul, funk, and rhythm & blues band that are recognized as one of the best party and dance bands in the Midwest. Their trademark is their always hot and energetic horn section. We also are pleased to have one of Indy’s finest jazz bass players, Frank Smith, back again this year. Joining Frank is renowned vibraphonist, Dick Sisto and Sonny Rollins guitarist, Bobby Broom,” says Molter.
The evening will start with Lafayette-based Big Swing Band on the Back Alley Stage sponsored by Electricom. Big Swing Band is sure to get you out of your seat and moving to their big sound of 1930s swing jazz. The funky side of blues will hold center court with Fremont Jackson’s Funky-Blu-va-Tron. Be ready to end the night dancing under the stars with the fun, soulful sound of Souled Out Band as they close out the evening on the Back Alley Stage.
Lafayette's Big Swing Band
On the Promenade Stage, sponsored by Carl E. Most & Son, the night kicks off with local Jazz legend the Danny Weiss Quartet. Frank Smith & the Jazz Giants will wrap up the night on the Promenade Stage with legendary double bassist Frank Smith leading a talented group including, Sonny Rollins guitar player, Bobby Broom playing classics from the bebop era of Jazz.
The Time Out Lounge, sponsored by Keramida, will feature three local bands ranging from smooth and smoky Jazz to gritty Blues. The opening act is the Delphi Saxophone Quartet demonstrating their prowess of the saxophone with cool jazz. The Hot Club of Colfax will take listeners back to the revolutionary 1920s and 1930s era of Paris jazz. Their gypsy jazz sound mingles with string and western influences to create a unique experience. At the end of the night get ready to switch gears to Mississippi Delta Blues and jam with Blind Boy and the CNI Dawg.
The evening doesn’t end at midnight, however, music lovers can continue jamming at the Knickerbocker Saloon “After Party” with Uncle Buck’s Mojo Box. This band of local rockers will keep everyone dancing with their electrifying blues.
Back Alley Stage
- Big Swing Band
- Fremont Jackson’s Funky-Blu-va-Tron
- Souled Out Band
Promenade Stage
- Danny Weiss Quartet
- Frank Smith & The Jazz Giants
Time Out Lounge
- Delphi Saxophone Quartet
- The Hot Club of Colfax
- Blind Boy & the CNI Dawg
The Knickerbocker Saloon “After Party”
Food and beverage are always a popular part of summertime events, and this year is no exception. Greater Lafayette’s favorite local dining establishments will be on-hand to fill bellies and quench thirsts. This year will feature cuisine from Arni’s, Spurlock’s, Bea One, D & R Market, Sgt. Preston’s, Cold Stone Creamery, Skylight Coffeehouse, and Kathy’s Kandies. Unique beers and wine will be provided by Sgt. Preston’s. Two in-event restaurants will be serving up great dishes with your jazz and blues, the Knickerbocker Saloon and Bistro 501.
Event Chairman Tom Gall states this is one of his personal highlights each year.
“I have been chairing this event for the past several years because it’s really great fun. Every year we see if we can do better than the last and I think this year we have a line-up second to none. The caliber of musicians is outstanding with several legends of the jazz world. And we have local musicians that have quite a following and are recognized by their peers and others. Add to this great food and libations what more could you ask for?”
To make it easy and convenient Gall notes that credit cards will also be accepted for food and beverage tickets.
Nearly one hundred volunteers from the IBEW Local 668 (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) and the NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association) will install special lighting on the Tippecanoe County courthouse dome, Riehle Plaza, the community tree, and other places throughout downtown. Holiday banners and lighted snowflakes will be installed on light poles as well.
