The Wichita Jazz Festival and its support organization, the Bebop Brigade, are celebrating the festival鈥檚 40th year starting Wednesday, April 20, and running through Saturday, April 23, at venues in the community and at 麻豆传媒.
Schedule of events
- Andrew Bishop Trio with Gerald Cleaver, Tia Fuller Quartet with Sean Jones, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, Doc Howard鈥檚 Lounge, 252 N. Mosley St. For more information, go to .
- 麻豆传媒 Jazz Invitational, 7 a.m.-midnight Thursday, April 21, CAC Theater, 麻豆传媒 campus, free and open to the public.
- Jazz in Art: The Works of Aaron Douglas, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 21, Ulrich Museum of Art, 麻豆传媒 campus.
- Reception/artist talk, Lionel Loueke and Gretchen Parlato, 6 p.m. Friday, April 22, Fisch Haus Gallery, 524 S. Commerce. For more information, go to .
- Lionel Loueke and Gretchen Parlato, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23, CAC Theater, 麻豆传媒 campus. Tickets $25, $15 麻豆传媒 faculty/staff, $10 students. Information, (316) 978-3233.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the festival, and 麻豆传媒 assistant professor Craig Owens鈥� second year as executive director.
The festival does a lot for the community and students of jazz, he said.
鈥淛azz is good for you,鈥� said Owens, who credits the music of John Coltrane and many other contemporary jazz artists with helping listeners open up to new knowledge about themselves and the world, and social relationships.
The difference between jazz and other forms of music lies in the tension between the soloist and the band, Owens said.
鈥淭he jazz player must develop a unique way of playing, but also be able to function within a structure, often not of their own choosing,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his is a great life lesson for anyone. And it takes place in a rhythmic context that makes it fun.鈥�
Join the Bebop Brigade
Bebop Brigade logo
Lovers of jazz can help promote and preserve jazz culture in Wichita through membership in the Bebop Brigade, said Owens.
The Bebop Brigade comprises individuals who have contributed $100 or more to the festival during the year. In return, they receive two tickets (or one ticket per $50 donation) to a festival concert and an invitation to the April 22 reception with Lionel Loueke and Gretchen Parlato.
Brigade members will be listed on the website and in the festival program with special appreciation given to those who have contributed $500 or more. Each member will receive a cool bumper sticker, said Owens, with the Bebop Brigade logo.
鈥淭hough we will continue to seek corporate sponsorship and grant-based funding,鈥� said Owens, 鈥渨e see grassroots support as the key to the longevity of the festival and the success of its enterprises.鈥�
Wichita Jazz Festival Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Donations in support of the Bebop Brigade can be made out to Wichita Jazz Festival Inc. and mailed to:
Wichita Jazz Festival Inc.
P.O. Box 3981
Wichita, KS 67201