35th Anniversary of Jazz in July Series Announced
5/3/2017DES MOINES, IA- Free live jazz and refreshing summer weather can be enjoyed at the 35th anniversary of Jazz in July, presented by Metro Arts Alliance. It was announced yesterday that the following bands and sites have been selected for the July concert series.
During Iowa’s longest-running summer music festival, concerts featuring Iowa’s jazz artists are presented throughout the month of July and are held in partnership with neighborhood sites throughout Greater Des Moines.
This is the only festival in Des Moines to focus exclusively on jazz and jazz history, which allows central Iowa residents to be exposed to new music and local musicians — all while promoting the American legacy and art form of jazz.
Each year, Metro Arts Alliance receives many band applications that go through an extensive screening process to ensure that high-quality jazz artists are selected to perform. Likewise, they have a careful selection process for Jazz in July host sites that are evaluated according to location, community engagement, and partnerships.
In celebration of its 35th anniversary this year, Metro Arts Alliance has expanded its series to new locations throughout Greater Des Moines and created a concert lunchtime series in addition to its traditional concert series.
The concert series is held Thursday through Sunday evenings from 6:30-8 p.m. However, the new concert lunchtime series, presented by Bankers Trust, will consist of one at Bankers Trust branch in West Des Moines, and three lunchtime concerts at Cowles Commons every Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. Supporting Sponsors of this series are DART; Downtown Community Alliance, a part of the Greater Des Moines Partnership; and Des Moines Performing Arts.
Metro Arts Alliance helps nurture the community’s next generation of musicians with its Junior Jazz initiative, providing high school and college jazz ensembles with opportunities to open for professional artists at Jazz in July concerts. Junior Jazz performances will be held Saturdays and Sundays from 5:30-6 p.m.
For three and a half decades, Jazz in July has provided free live jazz music that enriches the quality of life throughout Greater Des Moines. This year, Metro Arts Alliance is proud to have the support of numerous site sponsors, including Bill Wright of CBRE Hubbell Commercial, Drake University, John Deere Financial, Riley Resource Group, Sammons Financial Group, Wesley Acres as well as Principal Financial Group as a diversity sponsor. All these community sponsors have made free live jazz possible for the community and allows the musicians to be paid for their talent.
Metro Arts Board Treasurer and Jazz in July committee member, Bill Wright, said about the overwhelming community support, “We are lucky to have a community of art lovers that are willing to sponsor events like Jazz in July that enable the arts to thrive in Greater Des Moines. Who doesn’t want free live jazz? I’ll see you there – bring your lawn chair and dancing shoes!”
JAZZ IN JULY LINEUP
Visit metroarts.org for artist bios, venues, directions and more!
7/3 – VIP Kick-Off Party, Noce, 5-6 p.m.
7/4 – Christopher’s Very Happy. Band., Urbandale
7/6 – Rose Colella ‘Cocktail’, Terrace Hill
7/7 – Dave Rezek’s Alpha State Agents, Bondurant Trailhead
7/8 – Parranderos Latin Combo/Dallas Center- Grimes HS Combo Junior Jazz, Dallas Center Mound Park
7/9 – Freddy Gazzo Band/Drake Combo Junior Jazz, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
7/13 – High Society Big Band, Wesley Acres
7/14 – Scott Davis Quartet, Evelyn K. Davis Park
7/15 – The NOLA Jazz Band, 6th Avenue Corridor
7/16 – Bryan Schumacker Quintet/UNI Combo Junior Jazz, Norwalk City Park
7/20 – Foxtrot Hot Shots, Hoyt Sherman Place front lawn
7/21-John Morgan Orchestra, Drake University
7/22 – The Tighten Up/CJC Combo Junior Jazz, Waveland Golf Course
7/23 – The Jazz Page/Johnston HS Junior Jazz, Johnston Terra Lake Ampitheater
7/27 – Betsy Hickok Quartet, Ankeny Bandshell
7/28 – Max Wellman 7, Pleasant Hill Copper Creek Lake Park
7/29 – The Finale, The ‘Ceptet/Blake Shaw Quintet/Valley HS Junior Jazz, Valley Junction Railroad Park
Fishers jazz I got too many girls in July and I am tired of hearing High School groups play in front of me. I can go out throughout the school year and hear these bands which is fine. But you’re taking advantage of them financially as well as others in the Des Moines musician.. Ridiculous get with it.
Love jazz music and i look forward to every July