Celebrating summer Jazz grooves in the Twin Cities!
On August 1st at Minnehaha Falls, the Freedom Jazz Festival made its 10th appearance at it was magical!
The weather was in the mid 70's with a slight breeze from the East that kept the bugs at bay. Huge puffy clouds passing overhead made a checkerboard pattern of sunlight and shade that made for low humidity and a mellow ambiance.
We had a record crowd this year with so many staying from beginning to end for the incredible performances! Thousands of people turned out, as it is a growing best-kept secret, with a diverse music fan base, and the hippest Jazz music enthusiasts in the Twin Cities metro area. Since the festival is a culturally diverse, family friendly summer jazz event, people of all walks of life, all ages from babes-in-arms to senior citizens were enjoying great music. Serious Jazz lovers came from all over Minneapolis, St Paul and as far away as Chicago to witness the coolest, free Jazz-in-the-Park event of summer at the Minnehaha Park Band Shell.
Then there was the music! The line-up was incredible! It featured a whole host of artists of up and coming young jazz lions, a communiy-based jazz workshop, and bands that featured the creme de la creme of local talent. The music was far ranging and of varying scope and assortment. There was something for everyone - hard bop, blues, funk, African drumming, R & B, favorite jazz standards and swing! The performers were phenomenal! Public NewSense, a talented group of young jazz hotshots started off the set. The McRae Jazz Workshop, a great mix of musicians and community jazz performers added some new twists. The Capri Big Band orchestra to top-notch musicians that rocked the stage with jazz, down home blues, R&B and swing! McKissick Drum and Dance Troupe brought the African drums, beats, grooves, and moves! Dean Brewington's Quartet performed his smooth hard bop style! Jeff Keys, Urban Cadence, featuring Aja Pridgen was contemporary, suave and sultry! Mr. James "Cornbread" Harris turned on the crowd with his gritty blues and jazz numbers. Morris Wilson took us on a moving musical journey "Coltrane" style, with Debbie Duncan supplying the fantastic vocals that showed why she is the Twin Cities' first lady of song.
A special hightlight was the awards ceremony honoring some major Twin Cities jazz makers. Irv Williams, jazz musician extraordinaire, although absent, received the Sam Favors Memorial Award in honor of Sam Favors, one of the founders of the Freedom Jazz Festival. New this year was the Freedom Jazz All Stars awards to jazz musicians and supporters that have contributed to the Minnesota jazz scene and supported the growth of the Freedom Jazz Festival. The awardees were MPRB Commissioner Mary Merrill-Anderson, Bill Cottman of KFAI Radio "Mostly Jazz" show, Doris Hines, first Queen of Jazz Twin Cities, Jeff Keys, the Capri Big Band bandleader that put together the 2009 FJF music program, Kevin Washington, a phenonomenal drummer, and Odell Brown, Hammond organ maestro and leader of the infamous Organ-izers. So much history and talent in our own backyards! Their contributions and dedication to jazz has enhanced the Minnesota jazz community and it was evident it was truly appreciated by the crowd.
Exibitors and vendors included community businesses and organizations, craft vendors displaying and selling beautiful art, clothing and jewerly. Delicious entrees and treats were plentiful. The Minneapolis Institute of Arts provided face painting for the kids and people picnicked on the grounds surrounding the band shell.
The Jazz Police, KFAI Radio, Jazz88 Radio, Jazz Ink and the Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education have been wonderful contributors and sponsors to the event.
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and Commissioner Mary Merrill-Anderson have been supportive of this festival through its ten-year history and it is extremely significant that the event is held annually in Minnehaha Park. The vibes from the festival engage a kindred community and music relationship from the Minnehaha Falls connection to the Mississippi River in Minnesota by sending musical and spiritual blessings down the river to New Orleans LA, the birthplace of Jazz.
We hope that all of you who attended enjoyed the 10th Annual Freedom Jazz Festival, Jazz for a Change - Music for a Brave New World as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you. As we look forward to next year, we extend opportunities to become a contributor and collaborate with us to help sponsor next year's event.
Thank you so much for attending and making the 2009 Freedom Jazz Festival a great success! See you next year!
Lamarr Scott, President, FJF, Inc. |
