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Clark County Parks and Recreation welcomes national acts for its 14th year of the free Jazz in the Park concert series located at the Clark County Amphitheater, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway, at 8 p.m. April 26, May 10 and June 7 and 21. The Las Vegas Jazz Society will sponsor a yet unnamed local group for the May 31 concert. Seating for those with picnic baskets, blankets and low-back chairs will begin at 7 p.m. Food vendors also will be available on site. Parking is free.
April 26 - Spyro Gyra is set to kick off the series April 26 with sounds that have made the group fan favorites for 30 years. Since its first release in 1979, Spyro Gyra's music and style have made it an original force to be had in the music industry. It started in 1974 when bandleader and saxman Jay Beckenstein and keyboardist Jeremy Wall developed an ensemble. Through the years, Wall made his mark as a producer while members Scott Ambush, bass; Julio Fernandez, guitar and Tom Schuman, keyboards, joined Beckenstein in the honored Spyro Gyra tradition. Genre icon Boney James described Spyro Gyra's music in "Jazziz Magazine" as combining "accessible pop qualities with happy uplifting tones, bringing together elements of jazz, Latin and R&B effortlessly and unconsciously. What they're doing with electric jazz and unique instrumentation has always had a timeless quality to me." The latest album, Good to Go-Go, was released in May 2007.
May 10 - Dirty Dozen Brass Band will bring a little of New Orleans to the stage on May 10. The group got its start in the Crescent City in 1975 and consists of four horns – trumpet, trombone, sousaphone and flugelhorn; soprano, tenor and baritone saxophones; guitar and drums. It released its current album What's Going On? as an emotional tribute to the members' experiences during Hurricane Katrina. The album, which has a title borrowed from a Marvin Gaye classic, was released Aug. 29, 2007, exactly a year after the disaster. "It just made sense in light of all that happened with the storm," says Gregory Davis, who with band co-founders Roger Lewis, Kevin Harris and Efrem Towns make up the core of the group. The traditional New Orleans brass band is mixed with R&B to create the group's signature sound.
June 7 - Dee Dee Bridgewater will light the stage on fire June 7 with her "musical kaleidoscope" of everything from vocal jazz to scat. Bridgewater has been described as unafraid and uninhibited with a versatility in her music and producing skills that makes her a unique and powerful performer. Her latest project, Red Earth – A Malian Journey, mixes Malian voices, music and traditional instruments with American jazz music and lyrics.
June 21 - Nick Colionne rounds out the diverse group with a performance on June 21. The Chicago-bred musician turned professional at the age of 15, touring the country with rock bands as well as icons such as The Staples Singers and Curtis Mayfield. Although he had a jazz upbringing, Colionne became well versed in R&B, blues and heavy metal. Colionne launched his solo career in 1994 with It's My Turn and has been doing well since. Recently, he won the International Instrumental Artist of the Year Award at the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards. His latest album, Keepin' it Cool, was the number nine single of 2006 on the Radio and Records chart.
Those interested in Jazz in the Park can call 702-455-8200 or visit www.accessclarkcounty.com or www.seeyouatthecca.com.
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