Thu 4/10 @ noon
Thu 4/10 @ 8PM
Fri 4/11 @ noon
Fri 4/11 @7-10pm
Tri-C JazzFest is coming back for its 35th year with a new format this year: All the concerts and a bunch of related activities and events will take place at PlayhouseSquare over a three-day period June 26-28.
But for those of you whose jazz pangs rumble in April, the festival’s traditional month, don’t despair. Tri-C JazzFest has got something for you.
Bassist/composer Christian McBride, who released his first recording as a bandleader 19 years ago at the age of 23 and has been a major figure in jazz ever since, will be in town for a whirlwind two days of events.
He’ll be doing two free, hour-long, lunchtime shows at the Tri-C Metro Campus Auditorium Stop by the Tri-C Metro Campus Auditorium. On Thursday, Jazz House Kids, an ensemble of young musicians he mentors back in New Jersey where he lives, will open the show. On Friday, the Tri-C JazzFest High School All-Stars will have the honor.
The Jazz House Kids will also join McBride for a free show Thursday evening at Mahall’s in Lakewood, along with the Tri-C Jazz Studies Workshop.
McBride will trade his bassist/educator hat for a DJ hat on Friday when he mixes the tunes at Liquid night club on West 6th Street for three hours. You bet it’ll be danceable — his set will feature soul and R&B music, with a big dose of James, one of a long list of prominent artists — jazz, pop, R&B, hip hop, gospel, and classical — with whom he’s collaborated. That is free as well. Don’t complain there’s nothing you can afford to do in Cleveland.
For more information about these and other Tri-C JazzFest events or to purchase tickets for the June concert, go to the JazzFest website.
tri-c.edu/enrichment/arts/jazzfest/