The 7th Annual Miles Davis Jazz Festival | May 19th, 2012
The
seventh annual Miles Davis Jazz Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May
19 at 5:00 p.m on the campus of Lewis and Clark Community College in the
Trimpe Building. Four bands will pay homage to the iconic stature of
Miles Davis. Saxophonist Fred Walker, vocalist Danita Mumphord,
trumpeter Jim Manley and from St. Louis, the Soulard Blues Band have
been booked for this special evening of entertainment.
Event
organizers are anticipating community support to make this a concert not
to be missed. “We have a variety of musicians that we hope will
encourage people to attend, ” said Lee Barham, event chairman. “Miles
Davis was known for not being shy and stretching the boundaries of his
talent. We believe we’ve assembled a diversity of bands that will appeal
to area music lovers.”
Fred Walker, who often performs at Jazz
on Broadway in Alton, is the only solo artist on the bill. Walker has
released his CD, Sax Appeal and plays both alto and soprano sax. He’s
been studying music since high school and attributes Miles Davis, Sonny
Stitt, Dizzy Gillespie, and Sonny Rollins as early influences.
Vocalist
Danita Mumphard began singing as a youth in church, and early on was
featured with her father who is a member of the legendary jazz group,
Trio Trés Bien. Her debut jazz CD “With Love”, released in October 2005
includes live and studio performances. She has been featured at the
Whitaker Jazz Festival at Missouri Botanical Garden, Jazz shows in
Laumeier Sculpture Park and Arts in the Park in Edwardsville.
Jim
Manley is an explosive trumpet player based in St. Louis and has
traveled the world via his four critically acclaimed recordings: “Some
Assembly Required”, “Lip Trip”, “Horns in the House and Other
Criminals”, and “Christmas Unwrapped”. In the past few years Jim has
branched out as a band leader, composer/arranger, as well as a
clinician. As well, Jim maintains a busy playing schedule with nearly
4500 engagements in the last fifteen years. He has headlined the Saguaro
Jazz Festival in Phoenix, Arizona and opened for the legendary Maynard
Ferguson in 1996.
Since 1978 this five-piece ensemble known as
the Soulard Blues Band has been playing its namesake sound and ensuring
its place along the way. In a popular St. Louis poll for nine
consecutive years they have been voted the Best Blues Band. The Soulard
Blues Band has played in blues festivals from Memphis to Murphysboro,
Key West to Houston. They have performed with a Who’s Who of musicians
including Albert King, Albert Collins, Oliver Sain, Ramsey Lewis and
Chuck Berry.not just any band
The concert in past years has been
the occasion to offer a $250 jazz scholarship to a deserving student.
This year the committee is granting two scholarships so there’s an
increased excitement. “For two years we’ve given one scholarship each
year. We wanted to contribute more than we’ve had in the past, so we’ve
upped our commitment and will present two scholarships at this year’s
event, ” Barham added.
The committee is also proud of an
anticipated introduction of a Miles Davis collector’s stamp. With
support from U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello and Mayor Tom Hoechst, the
unveiling is expected in June. This notoriety draws attention to Alton
as Davis’ birthplace and further cements the continued effort of keeping
this concert as a memorial to his musical legacy.
KMOV-TV
Channel 4 news anchor Vickie Newton has agreed to emcee the event. Two
years ago she attended the concert and so enjoyed the experience that
she’s donating her time to aid in the success of the festivities.
Tickets
can be purchased in advance at the Alton Convention and Visitor’s
Bureau, 200 Piasa Street, 465-6676, at the Alton Museum of History and
Art, 2809 College Ave, 462-2763 and at the door on the day of the
concert. The cost is $25 for adults, $12.50 for students with school ID.
Food will be available free of charge and a cash bar will be included.