LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The 5^th 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 5^th 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”

• Uncle Buck’s Mojo Box

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.

LOGANSPORT, Ind. — Downtown Logansport is set to welcome the second annual Med Flory Jazz and Blues Festival this Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16. Twelve bands from throughout Indiana will play over the two-day period. The lineup includes swing, bebop, big band, R&B, funk, blues ragtime, Chicago blues, vocal jazz and New Orleans jazz.

Grammy award winner and Logansport native, Med Flory.

The festival honors the legacy of the Grammy-award winning entertainer and Logansport native Med Flory and is a celebration of his artistic contributions and of America’s original art form, jazz music.

Attendees are encouraged to celebrate the jazz age by dressing in 1920s style clothing. Modern clothes are fine, also. Food, wine and beer will be available.

FESTIVAL LINEUP
The two-day festival kicks off Friday, May 15 with a New-Orleans-style parade led by grand marshal and longtime Logansport High School music teacher Joe Huffman. The parade starts at LMU Park at 5:30 p.m. and is scheduled to arrive at the festival grounds about 5:45 p.m. Med Flory was initially scheduled to participate in this year’s festival, but due to some health problems, will not be attending. We hope he’ll be back with us next year. While our thoughts and prayers are with Med, we still have a full weekend of music to look forward to — and we believe Med wouldn’t want it any other way!

Friday night’s entertainment lineup begins at 6 p.m. Lisa Terry will be the emcee on Friday night.

Performers scheduled to appear Friday night are:

• The Ones
• Tuxedo Junction Wind Band
• Tim Miller & Friends
• Toy Factory

The second session is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Dave Kitchell will be the emcee at the Saturday night session.

Performers scheduled to appear Saturday include the following artists:

• Ezra
• Wabash Valley Sound Machine
• Rhudebarb & the Beggars
• Cherresa Lawson & Friends
• Hip Cats
• The Juggernauts
• Stan Hillis, Steve Allee, and Friends
• Randy Handley Band

TICKET INFORMATION

• Advance tickets for the Med Flory Jazz and Blues Festival are $13 per session and $22 for the weekend.
• Day-of-show tickets are $16 per session and $28 for the weekend.
• Student tickets are $5 per session any time.
• A late night ticket will be available both nights at the gate for $5.

Tickets are available at Minglin Jewelers, Security Federal Savings Bank, Susan’s Corner Cupboard and Arnold’s Fine Jewelry and Gifts in Logansport. Tickets can be purchased online at www.floryfest.org or by calling the Cass County Arts Alliance at (574) 735-ARTS.

The Med Flory Jazz & Blues Festival is presented by the Cass County Arts Alliance, thanks to financial contributions by our corporate sponsors: Security Federal Savings Bank, The Andersons, the Cass County Community Foundation, and the Cass County Visitor’s Bureau. Associate Sponsors are The Care Group and Mid-America Radio, and our Tent Sponsors are American Party Time, Burkhart Advertising, Logansport MaraMart, and Woodbridge Health Campus.

For more information about the festival, visit www.floryfest.org or contact the Cass County Arts Alliance at 574-735-ARTS (2787) or e-mail at info@floryfest.org.

The Cass County Arts Alliance is a member of the Tippecanoe Arts Federation.

LOGANSPORT, Ind. — The Cass County Arts Alliance is seeking thirty to forty volunteers to work during the May 15 and 16, 2009 Med Flory Jazz and Blues Festival.

Volunteers work two hour shifts and will receive one free session ticket to the festival. A volunteer orientation meeting is scheduled March 31 at the Logansport Economic Development Foundation community room, located at 310 Pearl Street. Register for the meeting by calling the alliance office at 574-735-ARTS or by email at info@casscountyarts.org.

The Cass County Arts Alliance encourages people to dress in 1920's clothing when attending the 2009 Med Flory Jazz and Blues Festival. (Photo via Flickr user Gatochy)

The CCAA is also inviting everyone, volunteers and attendees alike, to dress in 1920s attire to help make the Jazz Age come alive in the streets of downtown Logansport.

“Modern clothing is perfectly fine, also.”, festival organizer Lita Rouser stated in a prepared statement. “Having event patrons dress in a certain style is sometimes done at other festivals, such as a renaissance fair. The 1920s is called the jazz age, so we thought it would be fun to make the 20’s a visual part of this year’s event.”

CCAA recommends visiting www.dinnerandamurder.com/themes/1920s.htm for costume ideas. The Internet has several other 1920s clothing reference Web sites, as well.

The Med Flory Jazz and Blues Festival is scheduled May 15 and 16 at the corner of 4th and E. Market Street in downtown Logansport. The festival’s corporate sponsors are The Anderson, the Cass County Community Foundation, the Cass County Visitor’s Bureau, and Security Federal Savings Bank. For more information, visit www.floryfest.org or call the alliance office at 574-735-ARTS.

Photo originally scanned by and courtesy of Gatochy.

LOGANSPORT, Ind. — The Cass County Arts Alliance announces that the 2009 Med Flory Jazz and Blues Festival is scheduled for May 15 through 16. Grammy Award winner and Logansport native Med Flory will headline both evenings from 7:45 pm – 9:30 pm. Festival hours are May 15 from 6 pm to 11:30 pm and May 16 from 2 pm to 11:30 pm.

Grammy award winner and Logansport native, Med Flory.

Logansport native Dave Lowe opens Friday evening at 6 pm followed by an inter-Cass County High School jazz band. Flory has composed a piece for the high school band which will be performed that evening. A Cass County alumni jazz band then opens for Flory, who is supported by a back up band lead by Tim Miller and includes Ned Boyd. Indianapolis favorite, eight piece band Toy Story, plays from 9:30 pm to 11:30 pm.

Saturday afternoon features a battle of the bands from 2 pm to 4 pm which is open to performers of any musical genre. After 8 and the Miller Lite Players start at 4 pm followed by The Ones, Rhudebarb and the Beggars, and Ezra.

The Juggernaut Jug Band opens for Flory on Saturday and starts playing at 6:45 pm. Members of the Juggernauts are from all over the country and play a blend of jazz, blues ragtime, swing and original music with typical band instruments plus washboards, washtubs, kazoos, jugs and various other hardware.

Saturday’s back up band for Flory features Logansport native Stan Hillis and Indianapolis pianist Steve Allee. Another Logansport native, Randy Handley, will perform at 9:30 pm with his Nashville-based band. Handley is a professional songwriter and musician whose work has been recorded by artists such as Garth Brooks, Hal Ketchum, John Mellencamp, Charlie Pride, Karen Carpenter, and John Denver. His music was included on the soundtrack for the movie Rain Man.

There are three ticket sessions. Friday evening is session one, Saturday is session two, and both evenings from 9 pm to 11:30 pm only are session three. Session one and two tickets are $13 in advance and $16 at the gate. Session three and student tickets are $5 anytime.

Major sponsors for the 2009 festival are The Anderson’s, the Cass County Visitor’s Bureau, and Security Federal Savings Bank. Sponsorships with accompanying endorsements are available and may be arranged by calling 574-727-5482.

The festival’s Web site www.floryfest.org is being updated and will be finished on March 10. On-line tickets sales are will-call. For more information contact the Cass County Arts Alliance office at 574-735-ARTS or 574-727-5482.