[listen] Wichita Jazz Festival
The Wichita Jazz Festival actually kicked off Wednesday, with a free concert hosted at Abode Home. Featuring four local jazz groups, it was a perfect beginning and showcased some of the best jazz talent that Wichita has to offer. The jazz festival started in 1972, and still continues to play an important role in the development of musical talent throughout this region.
According to the Wichita State University website, this year’s festival is promoted as a showcase for women in the arts and society, and will also address issues in women’s health.
The rest of the events are as follows:
Thursday, April 14
“No Family History,” a documentary film. 7:30 p.m. Campus Activities Center Theater, Wichita State University campus. Free. Features Sabrina McCormick and a screening of her documentary film, which follows the story of one woman’s experience with breast cancer. The film was an independent selection at the Philadelphia Film Festival of 2009 and was selected as Best Real Time Documentary at the event.
Friday, April 16
Jazz All Day! Starting at 8 a.m. at the Campus Activities Center Theater, Wichita State University Campus. $10. This event will feature bands from local and regional middle schools, high schools, and colleges who have worked hard for this chance to perform before professional clinicians. It promises to be a long way from listening to your little brother squeaking on his saxophone in the basement after school!
Jazz Symposium. 7:30 p.m. at the Rhatigan Student Center, Wichita State University Campus. Free. Features jazz journalist Michelle Mercer, filmmaker Sabrina McCormick and guest artists Kathy Kosins, Linda Oh and Nicole Mitchell. Finally, local jazz artist Lisa Hittle will perform.
Saturday, April 17
Creativity Workshop. 2 p.m. McAdams Recreation Center, 1329 E. 16th St. Free. Features opportunities to interact with guest artists and witness their individual approaches to artistic creation. Kathy Kosins will discuss the relationship between jazz and visual art, while Nicole Mitchell will work with composition and improvisation.
Connoisseur Series Concert, 7:30 p.m, at the Campus Activites Center Theater, Wichita State University campus. Opens with Kathy Kosins, followed by Linda Oh and then Michelle Mitchell. Although it is one of the few events for the entire festival that is not free, it promises to be worth every penny! Tickets are $15, $13 and $6 through the Fine Arts Box Office, (316) 978-3233, and at the door. It is advisable to plan to arrive early for the best seats. While children are allowed, I would not advocate bringing any who are under about 12, and certainly none who don’t love music.
Detroit-based jazz singer Kathy Kosins, is a performer of almost 30 years, and renowned for her nontraditional approach to the jazz tradition. Local musicians Bill Caldwell (tenor saxophone), John Goering (WSU assistant professor, piano), Mark Foley (WSU associate professor, bass) and Steve Hatfield (drums) will accompany her.
Also featured this weekend will be bass star Linda Oh, who in 2008 received the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer’s Award. She now teaches at the Manhattan School of Music. Chicago-based flutist Nicole Mitchell and her trio will close both the concert and the festival. Mitchell was honored by Downbeat magazine as No. 1 in its Critics’ Poll for Rising Star Flutist 2006 and was named “Chicagoan of the Year 2006″ by the Chicago Tribune.
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