JAZZING IT UP
Holly Cole to perform at Enmax Centre
Randy Epp and Andrea Walker set the mood as they perform before an announcement Thursday at the Enmax Centre ahead of this year’s Lethbridge Jazz and Blues Festival.
Born in Halifax but acclaimed across Canada, the U.S. and Japan, Holly Cole has been part of the nation’s music scene for 35 years. But incredibly she’s never performed in Lethbridge — not until now.
A concert by the Juno Award winner will highlight this year’s Lethbridge Jazz and Blues Festival, running from June 8 to 16. The 12performance event will also feature blues singer/songwriter BC Reed, Johnny Summers and the Calgary Jazz Orchestra and 2016 “best jazz album” Juno winner Allison Au.
Cole’s concert, in the bowl at the Enmax Centre, will cap the eighth edition of the Lethbridge festival. While most events will be held downtown, organizers have brought back the Nobuki Takamen Trio for a repeat presentation in Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden.
Festival spokesperson Don Robb, who announced the lineup on Thursday, said full details including ticket information will be available online at www.lethbridgejazz.com.
New this year, he said, will be a Sunday brunch, June 10 at Stoketown Cafe, and a jam session June 12 at The Owl — with no cover charge for either.
Other free events will include the “Young Lions” performances by jazz bands and vocalists from local high schools (June 8), an afternoon of “Jazz at the Park” with a jazz market and beer garden on June 9 and then “Jazz and More” at the annual food truck event (June 15) in the Enmax parking lot.
Robb said southern Alberta musicians will show their licks at a number of venues, including downtown restaurants featuring supper-time jazz. Well-known local performers will include Josh Davies, James Oldenburg, Brad Brouwer and Paul Holden, along with members of the Lethbridge Big Band, Hippodrome, Papa King and the Boogiemen — and more.
Vancouver-based Marcus Mosely will return to lead the “Sweet Inspiration” gospel session, Robb said. Other performers this year will include the Mallory Chipman Quartet, the Steve Keenan Band, and HBO3 with Michael Carter.
Ticketed events will range in price from $10 to $51.50.
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