The South Delta Jazz Festival takes place next week with concerts planned for various locations around town.
Along with a handful of noon hour concerts at the Delta Community Music School, there are performances set for Diefenbaker Park, Petra’s by L’Aromas and All Saints Anglican Church.
“I’m really excited for this year’s event,” says faculty member and workshop co-director Stephen Robb.
In addition to concerts, the festival features a five-day workshop for students, ranging from beginners to adults, interested in learning about or improving their jazz improv skills in a small combo setting.
Percussionist Jack Duncan is a newcomer to the workshop faculty, which includes Len Aruliah (saxophone), Jared Burrows (guitar), Natasha D’Agostino (voice), Kevin Lee (trumpet), Rob Kohler (bass), Brad Muirhead (trombone, workshop co-director) and Stan Taylor (drums).
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the event, a program of the Delta Community Music School.
Robb says he’d like to see the festival grow and hopes to add more concerts next year.
Even so this year’s festival features performances every day from Tuesday to Saturday.
South Delta Jazz Festival concert schedule:
Tuesday, July 3: Jared Burrows - noon
Wednesday, July 4: Kevin Lee - noon
Wednesday, July 4: Bossa Dias - Diefenbaker Park, 7 p.m.
Thursday, July 5: Jack Duncan - noon
Thursday, July 5: Open Jam Session - Petras by L'Aromas, 7 p.m.
Friday, July 6: Len Aruliah - noon
Friday, July 6: Faculty concert - All Saints Church - 7:30 p.m. (Tickets $10 at the door)
Saturday, July 7: Student ensembles - noon to 3 p.m.
All noon hour concerts are at the Delta Community Music School, 4705 Arthur Dr.
All concerts are free except Friday evening
