It is a big week for jazz buffs in Lethbridge as the Lethbridge Jazz Festival kicks off June 16.
There will be live jazz music throughout the week at venues including the Slice, Tongue N Groove, Sterndale Bennett Theatre, plus there will also be a supper time jazz program throughout the week at Ric’s Grill, the Mocha Cabana, Plum and Streatside.
There will even be live jazz music at Galt Gardens, June 17 with Music in the Making featuring the University of Lethbridge Conservatory and Young Lions, which includes local middle and high school jazz ensembles.
Some highlights of the festival with be performances by Canadian jazz legends Tommy Banks at the Sterndale Bennett Theatre, June 18. As well, Trombonist and vocalist Allen Jacobson returns home to Alberta for this one off gig at the Tongue N Groove, June 17.
Young up-and-coming jazz/ classical guitarist The Alex Goodman Quartet will wind up things at the Slice, at 2 p.m., June 19.
The Slice is doing double duty this Saturday, June 18.
In addition to hosting an afternoon jazz jam with the Usual Suspects that evening, they will play host to the South Country Fair Songwriting competition finals.
So a variety of Southern Alberta Songwriters in two categories — beginners who don’t have a record out and experienced for musicians who do. The winner of each category receives a prize package including a chance to play their song on the main stage.
The show begins at 7 p.m., always starts on time and is always packed, so don’t be late if you want to see some up and coming songwriting talent. After the competition, local musicians Matt Robinson and Leeroy Stagger will be performing.
The Slice is also doing double duty Sunday, June 19 as they have the Alex Goodwin Quintet winding up the jazz festival in the afternoon and will be bringing back upbeat alt-country band, Pernell Reichert Band to perform in the evening.
Long and McQuade is celebrating their official grand opening all day Saturday with live music. It’s a natural fit as the staff make up a good chunk of the local music scene, so come and check out bands like the Necessities and Psychomantium and many others from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. who will be playing outside in the parking lot across the street.
Essies is bringing in live music this wee too, with One Bad Son with Krome, June 16. Saskatoon born, Vancouver raised One Bad Son have drawn comparisons to classic rock icons like Led Zeppelin, the Who, Thin Lizzy and more modern grunge bands like Soundgarden. Vancouver rock quartet Krome, who also have a raw classic rock sound down, are also on the bill. There is a five dollar cover for the show, which begins at 8 p.m.
Also on June 16, Average Joes finishes their open for the bands contest with the finals to see who opens for Sweet. Despite poor turnouts through past month, the finalists are Dalliance Elixir (Murray Nelson and Jolene Draper with Bruce Roome,) and Curt Young.
But the open for the bands contest isn’t over yet. There is one more to go — the competition to open for glam rock icons Sweet on Aug. 11 who had several ’70s hits including “Fox On the Run,” “Little Willie,” “Ballroom Blitz” and “Love Like Oxygen.”
There will be some familiar faces playing this Thursday including Dalliance Elixir and Curt Young as well as Thursday jam stalwarts DeadVoice.
Crowd response is an integral part of the contest, so come on out and show your love for your favourite performers.
If you haven’t seen local classic rock inspired original duo Jackson E, check them out at Cudos, June 17.
But tonight, check out Rancho Deluxe, who will be hosting the jam at the Slice tonight.
Also tonight, Carmen Townsend is in town to play the Tongue n Groove with the Motorleague.
It should be a great time. There is a $10 cover.
