The Grand Rapids Arts Council’s Sunset Jazz & Art Festival will celebrate the music of local jazz icon Gene Parker Sunday, Aug. 13, from 2:30 p.m. until sunset on the towpath between the Miami and Erie Canal and the Maumee River.
The longest-running jazz festival in Northwest Ohio, features music by some of the top jazz performers in the region as well as the work of local artists for sale.
For 50 years, Parker has played and taught saxophone, clarinet, flute, vibraphone, bass, piano, trumpet, trombone, the B3 Hammond organ, electronic keyboards, Latin percussion, and MIDI instruments.
Parker will sit in with each group before performing his own set to close the show.
The line-up of musicians for Aug. 13th is:
- Scott Kretzer Quartet, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
- Organic Ingredients, 2:45–3:45 p.m.
- 6th Edition featuring Kim Beuhler, Lori LeFevre and Lisa Young, 5-6 p.m.
- “Jazz Giant” Gene Parker & Friends, 6:15 p.m. to dusk.
This year, the jazz fest will also host for the plein air artists who will paint throughout the village and on the towpath during the day.
Barbecue pulled pork and shredded chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, chips and pop will be provided by local Boy Scout Troop 325, and beer, wine, popcorn and cold water will also be available.
Attendees should bring their own chairs. Coolers are not allowed.
Suzanne Carroll, former host of “The Jazz Brunch” radio program on 101.5, “The River,” will again serve as emcee.
Rain date is Aug. 20.
