Another jazz fest has come and gone, but not without hitting all the right notes!

The weather was hot and so was the music on Saturday, July 9, when the Jazz Fest Glen Ellyn took over Main Street in downtown Glen Ellyn.

The most dedicated jazz fans hit Main Street at two o’clock to stake out their spots nice and early. With 6,000 patrons in attendance throughout the course of the day, this year’s jazz fest was a definite hit!

Jazz Fest Glen Ellyn was created to present a unique and entertaining musical event for its participants that features top-class Chicago jazz musicians, the Hursthouse "Jazz Garden", and a gourmet menu with beer and wine.

"Another great JazzFest event. Each year we have made improvements that have made the experience more enjoyable. Batting five for five with the weather hasn't hurt either. Hats off to our presenters, sponsors, vendors, fest goers and the volunteers that made this year's event another success." Jim Drury, JazzFest committee member.

Jazz Fest continues each year because of the support received from the presenters, sponsors, food and refreshment vendors, and you, the patrons. It is a not for profit event, meaning not one dime comes from the village or taxpayers.

Thanks again to the many sponsors and presenters of Jazz Fest 2011, such as WDCB 90.9FM, the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, White Space Design and the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce.

To view photos from this year’s festival, be sure to check out the festival’s web site at www.jazzfestglenellyn.org, where you can also find out information on next year’s event, which will take place on Saturday, July 14, 2012.

After hearing the great performers, enjoying the Hursthouse Jazz Garden, eating the delicious food and relaxing with a glass of beer or wine, the festival goers left satisfied, yet wanting more. It’s okay though, Jazz Fest Glen Ellyn 2012 is only 330 days away.

The week is here! Tomorrow, Saturday, July 9, is the fifth annual Glen Ellyn Jazz Fest.  This unique musical event will begin at 3:00 p.m. and last until 10:00, taking place on Main Street in downtown Glen Ellyn.

The festival gives jazz fans a chance to hear great music while surrounded by the beautiful Hursthouse Jazz Garden, and with delicious food and drink supplied by Tap House Grill, Two Brothers Brewery, Cabernet & Company and the Glunz Family Winery.

How much for this great jazz experience?  Nothing!  JFGE is a free event.  But while admission is free for the festival, donations are welcome to help with the costs of the festival.

The music schedule will keep fest goers entertained all afternoon. The line-up begins with Two for Brazil, at 3:00, followed by Alison Ruble Group featuring John McLean at 4:30, Orbert Davis Quintet at 6:00, Marshall Vente & Tropicale at 7:30, and the evening is topped off with Mike Allemana Organ Quartet featuring Scott Burns at 9:00.

After the festival is over, local businesses, including participating restaurants, in Glen Ellyn will be presenting jazz in their own establishments, which fest goers are welcome to enjoy.

Many thanks to the great presenters and sponsors have helped make this years festival great.  Special thanks to the committee who have planned and organized the festival down to the last detail.  These great individuals include Ken Scott of College of DuPage and WDCB, Roland Raffel of College of DuPage and the MAC, Georgia Koch the director of the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce, Jim Drury of Drury Design: Kitchen and Bath Studio, Dave Prickett of White Space Design, Rob Kelley with Country Financial, and Margaret Fournier with Cruise One.

So if you enjoy jazz, be sure to join in on the fun tomorrow.  The gates open at 2:00 p.m. so be sure to bring your chairs and scope out a good spot to hear all the jazz!

Whether you like to listen to jazz with a nice glass of wine, enjoying a tall brew or eating some of the great local fare, Glen Ellyn Jazz Fest has it all to offer. With sponsors like Tap House Grill, Two Brothers Brewery and Cabernet & Company Wine Shop, there will be something to satisfy everyone’s taste buds. 

The food and drink tent will be available for purchase on Crescent Boulevard, and served from 2:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.  All beverages will require tickets, which can be purchased at the ticket stand, while the food will be cash only.  All alcoholic beverages must be purchased on-site and cannot be brought onto the jazz fest grounds.

Tap House Grill has four Chicagoland locations, including one right on Main Street in downtown Glen Ellyn.  They will once again be serving some of their best menu items at the jazz fest this year.  If you have the chance to dine at one of their locations, you will be sure to enjoy every bite; from the loaded tater tot-chos to the homemade Kit Kat. For more information on their menu and their locations, visit http://taphousegrills.com/

Two Brothers Brewery is wheeling its kegs of delicious micro-brewed beer over to Main Street for the festival this year.  The brewery is in Warrenville, but it serves beer that ranges in flavor from an American Pale Ale to a German Hefeweizen to various seasonal beers, all with names as unique as their flavors.  If you have the chance to make it over to their brewery for a tour on a Saturday or Sunday, be sure to stop in and grab a bite to eat as well.  For more information on this local gem, check out their Web site at http://www.twobrosbrew.com/

Cabernet & Company Wine Shop will be serving up their best red and white wines.  Located on North Main Street in Glen Ellyn, this local favorite has wines to suite every taste. Be sure to check out their seminars that cover such topics as tackling the restaurant wine list. With over 6800 bottles covering the walls, you are sure to find something for any occasion.  Visit their Web site for more information at http://www.cabernetco.com/index.html 

With so many great local vendors, there will be something for everyone at the festival this year. This year’s jazz fest is sure to be as pleasing to the ears as it is to the appetite! 

Jazz Fest Glen Ellyn has come back each year to entertain jazz lovers of the western suburbs thanks to its wonderful sponsors.  Each of these presenters adds its own style to the jazz fest, to help create an experience unique to this summer festival alone.

90.9FM WDCB PUBLIC RADIO FROM COLLEGE OF DUPAGE

Jazz. It’s 90.9fm WDCB’s specialty. In fact, it is all that it plays.  WDCB broadcasts jazz seven days a week to the entire Chicagoland area with approximately 200,000 weekly listeners.  The station plays such jazz legends as Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Dave Brubeck, and Marian McPartland... and today's newest jazz artists including Nicholas Payton, Renee Rosnes, Christian McBride, Brad Mehldau, Regina Carter, and Kurt Elling... as well as the best of Chicago jazz including Patricia Barber, Bobby Broom, Paulinho Garcia, Steve Million, Kelly Sill, Bobby Lewis, Willie Pickens, Kelly Brand, and many others. Visit: www.WDCB.org

MCANINCH ARTS CENTER (MAC) AT COLLEGE OF DUPAGE

The McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage (MAC) is a state-of-the-art facility with three distinctive performance spaces, providing an atmosphere for theater, music, dance, comedy, opera and the visual arts.  The MAC is conveniently located in DuPage County, providing a place where residents can experience all the arts under one roof.  Just this year, the MAC has hosted such performers as Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kenny Barron, Bruce Hornsby, Kurt Elling, Paul Taylor Dance Company, John Hammond and Paula Poundstone. For a full performance calendar and more, visit www.AtTheMAC.org 

WHITE SPACE DESIGN

White Space is a strategic design firm specializing in creating brand identity programs for corporations, entrepreneurs and special events. Each having a common goal, to take risks and communicate through unique methods that ultimately make a difference to the bottom line. White Space enthusiastically promotes Jazz Fest Glen Ellyn to all of Chicagoland, a pure jazz experience in a relaxed setting.  For more information, visit: www.DefiningWhiteSpace.com

GLEN ELLYN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce fosters and promotes the business and professional interests of Glen Ellyn and its neighboring communities, as well as promotes the welfare of Glen Ellyn.  Jazz Fest Glen Ellyn is an example of the GECOC’s vision of bringing together the greater community in a unique environment, right in downtown Glen Ellyn. For more opportunities like the festival happening in Glen Ellyn, check out their Web site at www.GlenEllynChamber.com

This year the Jazz Fest Glen Ellyn is proud to have several great jazz musicians performing on its stage.  The gates open at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 9, with the live music beginning an hour later at 3 p.m. and continuing throughout the day until 10 p.m. So come early to stake out your spot to enjoy the variety of jazz that is in store for you.

Here is the schedule of the day:

3:00 p.m.: Two for Brazil

4:30 p.m.: Alison Ruble Group featuring John McLean

6:00 p.m.: Orbet Davis Quintet

7:30 p.m.: Marshall Vente & Tropicale

9:00 p.m.: Mike Allemana Organ Quartet featuring Scott Burns

Each of these performers has a unique sound that they are bringing to the festival, all in the name of jazz.

Two for Brazil

Two for Brazil is a jazz duo featuring Paulhino Garcia and Greg Fishman.

Born in Belo Horizonte, capital of Minas Gerais, Brazil, Paulinho began his musical career at the age of nine as a singer in a Sunday program for kids in his city's principal radio station, Rádio Inconfidência. In his teens, he performed as a house musician in all musical programs of the Rádio Guarany--TV Itacolomy network. He led his own band, Os Agitadores, and with them recorded his first two albums. 

Until his arrival in the U.S. in 1979, Paulinho composed, arranged, produced, and performed jingles for the HP Studios. Four of his commercials received national awards. Having moved to Chicago, he performed and recorded two albums with the band Made in Brazil. In 1991 he founded his own band, Jazzmineiro, whose eponymous 1996 CD received excellent reviews in the Chicago Tribune, Jazziz magazine, the Brazilian Music Review, and The Brazilians.

Paulinho has performed in many cities in the U.S. and abroad, touring Japan for six months. Recently he toured Poland with singer Grazyna Auguscik and Japan again with saxophonist Greg Fishman, his partner in Two for Brazil.

Saxophonist and flutist Greg Fishman is an accomplished performer, recording artist, teacher and clinician. Born in Chicago in 1967, he grew up in the northern suburbs, graduated from De Paul University, and got his Masters Degree in Jazz at Northwestern University. He is the foremost expert on the music of Stan Getz, and is the author of three Getz transcription books for Hal Leonard. Greg has performed with such artists as Louis Bellson, Clark Terry, Slide Hampton, Jackie & Roy, Marian McPartland, Ira Sullivan, Eddie Higgins, and the Woody Herman Band. He is the co-leader of a jazz quartet which has toured the USA and Southeast Asia, and he performs regularly at Andy's with Eric Schneider, and at various Chicago clubs with the Judy Roberts band. Greg was recently featured at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland. He has recorded several jazz CDs, including Roberts' CD "Circle of Friends" and "In The Moment." Greg's newest release, "Two for Brazil Plays The Standards," with guitarist Paulinho Garcia, is receiving rave reviews.

Alison Ruble Group featuring John McLean

After a decade long apprenticeship in Chicago’s vibrant music scene, Alison Ruble has emerged in recent years as one of the city’s premier and in demand jazz vocalists. Having honed her skills with steady work at a number of Chicago’s high profile jazz rooms, including The Green Mill; Joe Segal’s Jazz Showcase, and Andy’s Jazz Club, Alison has etched out a distinct style that has drawn increasing attention from critics and audiences alike. In addition to extensive club work, she has appeared in a variety of theatre and festival settings, including Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Chicago Jazz Festival.

Alison’s work has been described as ‘glittering and near flawless’ by JazzTimes and the All Music Guide cites her as ‘a sublime vocalist with an adventurous spirit.’ Her critically-acclaimed debut album “This Is A Bird” (Origin) was named one of “Publisher’s Top Picks for 2008” on All About Jazz.com and one of Public Radio International ‘s “Best Jazz CDs of 2008.”

On her new release, “Ashland” (Origin), Alison continues to explore her interest in combining the classicism of the great American songbook with contemporary jazz improvisation and the work of more recent American pop composers. While at first glance she may seem to draw from disparate musical sources, her musical interests lie less in the idea of “eclecticism”, and lean more towards an effort to naturally integrate the full sweep of American popular song through the language of jazz.

In addition to her work as a musician, Alison is highly active in the Chicago area as a visual artist and has exhibited at a number of galleries and art festivals. Her original screen prints and etchings appear in the cover art for both “This Is A Bird” and “Ashland.”

Orbet Davis Quintet

Trumpeter, composer Orbert Davis is co-founder, conductor and artistic director of CHICAGO JAZZ PHILHARMONIC, a 55+ piece jazz-symphonic orchestra dedicated to multi-genre projects. Orbert is also clinical associate professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Winner of the 1995 Cognac Hennessy National Jazz Search, Orbert was chosen one of Chicago Tribune's “1995 Arts People of the Year”. Chicago Magazine named him “Y2k Best Trumpeter in Chicago” and “Chicagoan of the Year for 2002”.

Along with his business partner Mark Ingram, Orbert owns and operates ORBARK PRODUCTIONS. Their credits include projects for Atlantic, Capitol, CBS, Epic, MCA, the Warner Brothers record labels and several feature films. He was jazz consultant for Academy Award winning director, Sam Mendes, on the DreamWorks Pictures feature film “Road to Perdition”, starring Tom Hanks and Paul Newman, where he also had a cameo appearance.

Recent projects includes the critically acclaimed documentary “Beauty Rises: Four Lives in the Arts”, produced by WTTW and the Illinois Arts Council and “Concierto for Generation I”, a work commissioned by Nissan/Infiniti, inspired by the 2007 Infiniti G35 Sedan. “Concierto for Generation I” was part of the 2007 “Infiniti In Black” national advertising campaign which included a 2-page full-color ad of Orbert and the G35 in Ebony, Vibe, Essence and Black Enterprise magazines as well as online video documentary presentations.

Orbert's 2004 CD release entitled “Blue Notes”, was the follow-up to his critically acclaimed “Priority” CD, which garnered an LA Times 4-star review, hit Top-50 “most played on national radio” Jazz CDs in 2002 and was named Top-10 best Jazz CDs of 2002 by the Chicago Tribune. His latest CD, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic’s “Collective Creativity” (2009), an amalgamation of classical music and jazz, is receiving rave reviews on the national stage as well.

Marshall Vente & Tropicale

Marshall is a professional and a pianist first. Over his career he has refined his talents as an arranger, composer, contractor, producer, MC and radio host. Initially drawn to music through classical piano and jazz, he has added all styles of popular music from hit recordings and big band to blues and Latin.

To develop these interests to their fullest, Marshall has assembled a first-class, professional musical organization devoted to each. Having drawn from Chicago's top talent pool of finest musicians, Marshall has the perfect blend of performers whose style and capability express each organization's unique focus. Whether the drums and rhythms of hot salsa, or the swinging brass sounds of the big bands, or the sophisticated piano of the Marshall Vente Trio, each unique group is devoted to providing an authentic musical expression. Always attractive and authentic vocals too!

Marshall is an experienced and fun Master of Ceremonies who can keep your event on time and moving. He knows how to "read" an audience to play the right music and always brings excitement to the party. He's always admired and emulated the versatility of the great bandleaders of the past, especially those that could play a concert hall, or dance party, or recording session with equal facility and professionalism.

Always the versatile entertainer, Marshall is often called on to provide specialty "dance and party music" for various corporate, charity and private events. 

With a little less than a month to go, Jazz Fest 2011 is shaping up to be the best yet.  In its fifth year, the Glen Ellyn Jazz Fest has grown to be a favorite summer concert for music lovers throughout the western suburbs.

This year’s festivities will take place on Saturday, July 9 from 3:00 to 10:00 pm on Main Street in downtown Glen Ellyn.  The gates open at 2:00, so grab a lawn chair and a few friends, and come enjoy a summer evening in the magical Hursthouse jazz garden.

This year’s musical line-up includes Two for Brazil, Alison Ruble Group featuring John McLean, Orbert Davis Quintet, Marshall Vente & Tropicale, and the evening is topped off with Mike Allemana Organ Quartet featuring Scott Burns.

Known as tenor sax legend Von Freeman’s guitarist since 1997, Mike Allemana is one of the busiest musicians in Chicago. Born and raised near Chicago, in Elmhurst, IL, Mike became interested in jazz at age 12 after being introduced to the music of George Benson by his guitar teacher at Perry's Music in Villa Park, IL. In high school he played in the York High School Jazz Band, directed by Curt Merrill, and then decided to pursue music and enrolled at Northern Illinois University, where he studied with Fareed Haque.

After graduating in 1991 Mike spent two years playing in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he spent many nights listening to and absorbing the playing of legendary guitarists Cal Collins and Kenny Poole.  In 1994, Mike decided to move back to Chicago where he has become one of the most in-demand guitarists on the jazz scene.
 

After returning to Chicago, Mike began to make music with some of the most renowned local artists. His credits include playing from 1996-1997 with organ great Charles Earland, 1995-1999 with tenor saxophonist Lin Halliday, 1998-2002 every Wednesday with tenor saxophonist Ron Dewar, and, most notably, the ageless tenor sax legend, Von Freeman.  Mike has been playing with Von Freeman at his famous Tuesday night gig at the New Apartment Lounge in Chicago since 1997 and has toured with Von to places like Berlin, Minneapolis, and Philadelphia, where in 2005 they appeared with drumming legend Mickey Roker.  Mike can also be heard on Von Freeman’s 2002 release The Improvisor on Premonition Records and on the 2009 release Vonski Speaks on Nessa Records.. He has also made appearances from 1997-1999 with organ master Lonnie Smith, in 2006 performed with drum-master Jimmy Cobb along with Von Freeman, and in 2008 performed with alto saxophonist Steve Coleman. The Chicago Reader voted Mike Best Jazz Soloist in Chicago in 2008.

Mike's first CD was on the TuConn label, The Mike Allemana Organ Trio, which received three and a half stars from Down Beat magazine (April 2001).  In 2006, he released his second CD, Inner Rhythm, which features his original compositions performed by his quartet which includes saxophonist Geof Bradfield and drummer Ted Sirota.  In 2009, The Mike Allemana Organ Trio released their second CD, Lin's Holiday, which was engineered by the late David Baker. 

Other projects that Mike is a part of include: a highly-acclaimed vocal/guitar duo with vocalist Gingi Lahera, which released their critically acclaimed debut CD in 2006, The Night’s Womb and the Morning Sun; violinist Steve Gibons' Gypsy Rhythm Project, an ensemble that includes cimbalom master Nicolae Ferraru and performs the music of Eastern Europe; the Model Citizens, a local big band lead by pianist/composer Brian O’Hern for which Mike has been a feature soloist and arranger since the band was created in 1996; The Regulators, a cutting-edge band that combines free concepts with funk-based rhythms and comprises of the rhythm section of the Model Citizens; and Come Sunday, a very popular 4 voice ensemble with jazz trio that mixes jazz concepts with old gospel spirituals of which Mike is the musical director. For more information on Mike Allemana, check out his website: http://www.mikeallemana.com/ 

For great seats to hear Mike Allemana and the Organ Quartet, and all the other musicians play, be sure to get to the festival early.  Gates open at 2 p.m. and festival goers are encouraged to bring their own chairs, as seating is limited for this popular event. While admission is free for the festival, donations are welcome to help support events like this one in Glen Ellyn.

For more information on the festival, including maps and parking information, visit: www.JazzFestGlenEllyn.org.

Jazz Fest Glen Ellyn 2011 Media Release

FIFTH ANNUAL JAZZ FEST GLEN ELLYN SET FOR JULY 9

Saturday July 9 from 3:00p.m. to 10:00p.m. Gates open at 2:00p.m.

Media Contact: Roland Raffel, raffel@cod. edu, ph: 630.942.2263, fax: 630.790.9806

Glen Ellyn, IL - Downtown Glen Ellyn will be transformed into a jazz garden oasis as the McAninch Arts Center and 90.9fm WDCB – Public Radio from College of DuPage, in partnership with White Space and the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce, present the fifth annual Jazz Fest Glen Ellyn from 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 9, along Main Street from Crescent Boulevard to Pennsylvania Avenue.

Local shops and specialty boutiques remain open during the event, affording jazz lovers the opportunity to enjoy the music along Main Street with intimate seating in the Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors’ lush, green “jazz garden,” created using thousands of perennial flowers, grasses, shrubs and trees.

This year’s musical line-up includes Two for Brazil, from 3 to 4 p.m.; Alison Ruble Group featuring John McLean, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.; Orbert Davis Quintet, from 6 to 7 p.m.; Marshall Vente & Tropicale, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.; and Mike Allemana Organ Quartet featuring Scott Burns, from 9 to 10 p.m.

Presenting sponsors include Harris Bank and Hursthouse Landscape Architects & Contractors. Fest’s food sponsor Tap House Grill and local favorite Two Brothers Brewery return for this year’s event and are joined by newcomers I Have a Bean Coffee. Two for Brazil’s Paulinho Garcia and Greg Fishman merge their individual musical influences, creating a jazz style of elegant guitar work and vocals.

Jazz vocalist Alison Ruble has a style reminiscent of classic jazz standards but infused with modern strains. She performs regularly throughout the Chicago area at venues including the Green Mill and Andy’s Jazz Club and in 2008 headlined the Chicago Jazz Festival.

Orbert Davis, a trumpeter, composer and co-founder of Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, was named “Y2K Best Trumpeter in Chicago” by Chicago Magazine. Marshall Vente & Tropicale bring their Brazilian and Latin flair to the jazz world. Pianist, composer and arranger Vente has been hailed as one of the finest jazz pianists in Chicago by the Chicago Tribune’s Howard Reich.

Mike Allemana is probably best known as the guitarist for tenor sax great Von Freeman. The acclaimed musician has played with a variety of artists and recorded seven albums. In 2008, The Chicago Reader named Allemana the Best Jazz Soloist in Chicago.

Jazz Fest Glen Ellyn 2011 is presented by:

90.9fm WDCB Public Radio

The McAninch Arts Center

White Space

The Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce

Gates open at 2 p.m. Admission is free and festival goers are encouraged to bring their own chairs, as seating is limited for this popular event.

Sponsorship opportunities are available at a variety of levels and help to fund a portion of the event’s cost. Community member donations are appreciated. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, call Ken Scott at WDCB at (630) 942-3716. For more information on the festival, including maps and parking information, visit: www.JazzFestGlenEllyn.org.

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Thanks to  Howard Reich of the Chicago Tribune for the 2011 Glen Ellyn Jazz Fest mention.

Summer in the suburbs' brightest highlight, Jazz Fest Glen Ellyn, is only a few weeks away. Stay tuned for more information, but for now just plan on being on Main Street in Glen Ellyn on July 9 from 3:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Gates will open at 2 p.m. Admission is free and festival goers are encouraged to bring their own chairs, as seating is limited for this popular event.

Sponsorship opportunities are available at a variety of levels and help to fund a portion of the event’s cost. Community member donations are appreciated.  

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, call Ken Scott at WDCB at (630) 942-3716. For more information on the festival, including maps and parking information, visit: www.JazzFestGlenEllyn.org. 

Check out these pictures from this morning. . .  and more on the Jazz Fest Glen Ellyn set.