LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Traveler’s Dream, a West Lafayette based folk music duo, will perform a holiday concert and host a CD release party on December 19 at 7:00pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church 333 Meridian Street in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Traveler's Dream (Michael Lewis and Denise Wilson)

The concert will feature music from the duo’s new CD entitled Cold Blows the Day: Songs and Carols of the Winter Season. Rich vocal harmonies and various combinations of guitar, Irish flute, mandolin, concertina, bouzouki, and tin whistle will capture the spirit of holiday musical traditions from the Celtic lands, England and France. Classic favorites rooted in Old World Europe include I Saw Three Ships, Good King Wenceslas, and Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella.

The concert will also feature some of Michael Lewis’ original songs from Cold Blows the Day. His poetic lyrics will strike a chord with everyone who shares his love of midwestern winter landscapes and his appreciation of the magical qualities of the winter season.

Several guest musicians will join Traveler’s Dream in making this a festive and memorable holiday event. Warm wassail and seasonal treats will be shared at a reception following the concert.

Tickets are $8.00 for adults, children 14 and under are free. Copies of the CD will be available for purchase at the concert and may also be purchased directly from their Web site.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — What does the chick flick “When Harry Met Sally” have in common with the animated feature “The Incredibles?” Both films use jazz to tell their stories.

West Side Story's 'Somewhere' didn't start out as a jazz tune, but the Roger Holmes arrangement takes it there.

For movie lovers, the first concert of the jazz season for Purdue’s American Music Repertory Ensemble, Lab Jazz Band and Jazz Choir, “Jazz from the Movies,” is filled with musical nuggets from these and other classic films. It is set for 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, in Loeb Playhouse of the Purdue Stewart Center. Admission is free.

“Usually jazz is used to create the feeling of an urban setting or a shady, back alley atmosphere,” says director M.T. “Mo” Trout. “But this concert focuses on jazz used in positive ways and, in some cases, unique ways.”

The range of movie titles being tackled by the bands runs the gamut from Johnny Mandel’s Academy Award-winning “The Shadow of Your Smile” to Disney’s “Mickey Mouse March,” and from West Side Story’s “Somewhere” to The Polar Express’ “Hot Chocolate.”

Clint Eastwood, a jazz musician himself, experiments widely with jazz in his movies, and the concert recognizes his efforts with “Play Misty for Me” from the film by that name. Woody Allen, who plays clarinet in a Dixieland Band, also uses jazz to underscore his offbeat characters. The American Music Repertory Ensemble performs “I Can’t Believe That You’re in Love with Me” from Allen’s “Anything Else.”

“Jazz has made use of music from lots of Broadway musicals,” Trout says.

West Side Story’s “Somewhere” didn’t start out as a jazz tune, but the Roger Holmes arrangement takes it there. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz “has been taken over by jazz musicians and is now considered a jazz standard,” he adds.

“Henry Mancini has written many great sound tracks, and they’re all jazz influenced,” Trout adds. “The Pink Panther” might be Mancini’s best known music, but Trout opts to present Mancini’s first foray into jazz with the theme from the TV series ‘Peter Gunn.’ After that jazz became forever associated with private eyes and James Bond characters.”

Jazz also surfaces in biographical movies, and that’s explored in “Straight No Chaser” from Thelonious Monk: Straight No Chaser and “Beyond the Sea” from the film about singer Bobby Darrin.

Probably the most unique use of jazz in a film comes in Mel Brooks’ “Blazing Saddles,” where a desert caravan comes across the Count Basie Band playing big band jazz in the middle of nowhere. In honor of that classic screen moment, the concert comes to a close with the American Music Repertory Ensemble playing Vernon Duke and E.Y. Harburg’s 1932 classic “April in Paris.”

“Music from the Movies” is presented by Purdue Bands & Orchestras. For more information on upcoming events visit www.purdue.edu/bands

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Rock band O.A.R (Of A Revolution) will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 in Purdue University’s Elliott Hall of Music.

Rock band O.A.R (Of A Revolution) will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 in Purdue University's Elliott Hall of Music.

Purdue’s Student Concert Committee is presenting the performance.

Formed in 1996 in Rockville, Md., O.A.R. includes lead singer/rhythm guitarist Marc Roberge, lead guitarist Richard On, saxophonist Jerry DePizzo, bassist Benj Gershman and drummer Chris Culos. The band has released six studio albums and three live albums. Their latest album, “All Sides,” was released in 2008 and contains the hit song “Shattered.”

Tickets are $30 for the general public (price includes a facility fee). Tickets go on sale to Purdue and Ivy Tech-Lafayette students and Purdue faculty and staff with a current ID at 10 a.m. Sept. 1 at the Elliott Hall of Music and Stewart Center box offices and at (765) 494-3933. Tickets for the general public go on sale at 10 a.m. Sept. 2. Tickets also are available at Ticketmaster outlets at (765) 743-5151 and http://www.ticketmaster.com

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.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue Summer Band will feature jazz, folk melodies and light classics during an outdoor concert Tuesday (July 14) at Slayter Center on the West Lafayette campus of Purdue University.

The hour-long concert starts at 7:30p on Tuesday, July 14th. Concert goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.

The hour-long concert, which starts at 7:30p, is free and open to the public. Jay Gephart and Ishbah Cox, both members of the Purdue Bands & Orchestra faculty, will direct the band, which consists of more than 80 musicians.

The band will present tunes from the American jazz-rock group, Steely Dan, as well as 1950s jazz music by The Dave Brubeck Quartet. In addition, folk melodies from England and Ireland will be performed.

Those attending are encouraged to bring picnics as well as blankets and lawn chairs.

Slayter Center is located at the intersection of Stadium and Martin Jischke Drives in West Lafayette.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The annual Summer Concert Series at the Purdue Memorial Union features dinner and the diverse musical styles of local bands. The series kicks off on July 8, 2009 on the West Lafayette campus. The performances are free to attend, and dinner is available for a $5.00 meal ticket or ala carte.

Guitarist Michael Kelsey interacts with the crowd at his 2008 Summer Concert Series performance. (Photo by Guy Louis Martin, gLouis@Flickr)

The four free Wednesday shows begin at 6:30 p.m. on the union’s front lawn. Seating for the concerts is limited. Concert goers are advised to bring lawn chairs and/or blankets.

Scheduled performances:

• July 8 – Michael Kelsey (Acoustic rock)
• July 15 – Woodstove Flapjacks String Band (Americana)
• July 22 – Laugh at Linus (Acoustic funk) and Root Hog (Psychedelic, Americana)
• July 29 – Big James and the Chicago Playboys (Blues)

In case of rain the concert will be moved inside to the Purdue Memorial Union’s North Ballroom.

The series is sponsored by the Purdue Memorial Union and Purdue Employees Federal Credit Union.