Goshen News, Goshen, IN

Breaking News

Entertainment

Related Photos

  • The Statesmen of Jazz entertain attendees of the 24th annual Elkhart Jazz Festival during its last day at the Knights of Columbus hall downtown in this 2011 file photo JESSE DAVIS

    0627 Jazz festival.jpg
May 31, 2012

Organizers take note of interest in 2012 Elkhart Jazz Festival

By SCOTT WEISSER THE GOSHEN NEWS

ELKHART — A quarter-century on, interest in a northern Indiana musical showcase remains robust.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Elkhart Jazz Festival, and organizers are happy to report advance ticket sales are higher than they were at this time in 2011.

“I think we’re about 30 to 35 percent ahead of where we were about a year ago at this time,” said Tim Shelly, Elkhart County Jazz Festival chairman.

The Jazz Festival is largely a volunteer-driven effort, and organizers will be recruiting more volunteers in the coming days and weeks.

Most Jazz Festival events are set for June 22 through 24. However, Shelly said the festival this year is expanding to June 21, a Thursday. The Elkhart Municipal Band will be featured in a free concert that evening at The Lerner Theatre along Elkhart’s South Main Street. Also, “sponsor” ticket holders can enjoy two concerts that evening at the Ruthmere.

An expanded night of offerings is in keeping with the festival’s growth trajectory. Organizers report that the inaugural festival drew 3,000 visitors. This year, festival promoters are hopeful of more than 250,000 jazz fans attending.

The first Jazz Festival also featured 67 performers, compared to more than 100 set to appear this year — “the most we can handle,” according to Shelly. This year’s line-up includes Alejo Poveda’s Latin Quintet, Alfonso Ponticelli & Swing Gitan, Blue Sky 5, Bobby Lewis Jazz Quintet, Buffalo Ridge Band, Dave Bennett Quintet, Davina and the Vagabonds, Eddie Metz Trio, Elkhart Municipal Band, Elwood Splinters Blues Band, The Four Freshmen, Gull Lake Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Assemblage, Jenna Mammina, Joan Collasso Quartet, Kris Brownlee, Rebecca Kilgore Quartet, Stephanie Trick Trio, Truth in Jazz, Tim Cunningham, VibeNation, Wally’s Warehouse Waifs, Whistle Pigs, and 25th Anniversary Jazz Band.

Shelly said festival promoters are trying to encourage people to visit from out of town — the Detroit, Chicago and Indianapolis areas included. The idea is that those jazz fans will buy gas locally, eat in local restaurants, etc.

With the annual music festival just a few weeks away, Shelly is also looking for climate-related support.

“Hopefully, the weather will cooperate with me, too,” he said.

Text Only
Entertainment
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
AP Video
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones 9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
Poll

Have recent scandals involving the U.S. government altered your opinion of President Obama’s job performance?

Yes, I think less of the president’s job performance
No, my opinions have not been impacted one way or the other
     View Results