Blue Note 7 Were 'RED HOT'

'Red Hot' concert series ends on a high note.

March 25th was the end of the 2008-2009 'Red Hot' concert series and what a way to end it! The Blue Note 7 performed an amazing set list and the crowd enjoyed every minute of it!

Pictured are Bill Charlap on piano, Peter Bernstein on guitar, Ravi Colstrane on tenor sax, not pictured: Lewis Nash (drums), Nicholas Payton (trumpet), and Steve Wilson (alto sax).

Malone Wowed and Educated

The Russell Malone Quartet played the Sioux Falls Orpheum Theater on Saturday as the fourth performance on the Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society's 2008-2009 concert series.

Malone's quartet played with pure class on tunes like "April in Paris" and "Witchcraft". "I've never liked the song 'Unchained Melody' until I heard him play it," said one concert-goer.

Earlier that day, Malone gave a workshop/Q&A to nearly 50 musicians and music lovers interested in getting an in-depth look into Malone's technique and approach to his playing.


The workshop and concert were presented with support The Design Studio, Inc. and the Performing Arts Fund, a program of Arts Midwest funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes a great nation deserves great art, with additional contributions from South Dakota Arts Council, General Mills Foundation, and Land O'Lakes Foundation.

Keb' Mo' and Elvin Bishop to Headline JazzFest 2009

JazzFest 2009 Set for July 17-18

The Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Society is planning for an exciting JazzFest on July 17th and 18th at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls, SD.

In 2008, the Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Festival - JazzFest had over 90,000 attendees enjoying the beautiful summer weather and hot music!

JazzFest 2009 will bring an opportunity for the Sioux Falls community to come together and enjoy some great live music and summer fun for everyone.

Festival admission information:
• JazzFest remains a free event with donations accepted at the gate.
• There will be a $10 parking fee for this year’s festival inside Yankton Trail Park.
• No outside food or beverage will be allowed inside grounds as JazzFest is a fundraiser for the Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society and proceeds for the festival are raised through beverage and food sales.

South Dakota Public Broadcasting will be at the festival from the first note to the last, taping for The Best of JazzFest 2009.

The Sanford Children’s JazzQuest will feature family friendly musical performances and other arts activities and games.

The Midcontinent Communications Big Screen will give all attendees a bird’s-eye view of the happenings on the main stage with these excellent artists*:

The uniquely creative sounds of Elvin Bishop, progressive jazz from The Bad Plus, soul stylings from veteran Bettye LaVette, the dynamic musicianship from the Tommy Castro Band, Delta blues from Keb’ Mo’, South Dakota’s “King of the Guitar” T. Wilson King, sweet jazz sounds from Dakota Jazz Collective, big band beats from Augustana’s Northlanders Jazz Band featuring guests Chris Vadala and Jeff Jarvis, funky Zydeco from Lil’ Brian and the Travelers, and local blues masters Blues Bashers.

Second stage will feature local talent from: Kyle Knutson, Jami Lynn and the Aquila Band, Coltcockers, Truth & Adapt, TIM the Band, Liquid Thin, Blue in Green, The Body Electric, Chris Saub, and Tri-Dimensional.

The Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Festival, JazzFest is organized by the Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society, a non-profit arts organization.

For interviews, photos or bios, please contact the Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society at 605-335-6101 or info@sfjb.org.

Get Ready for Russell Malone

Next week's visitation of jazz guitarist Russell Malone in the Sioux Falls community is a jazz-lovers dream come true. The virtuoso is a legend in the jazz world, having played with many of the best and brightest including Diana Krall and Harry Connick, Jr.

On Saturday, March 14, Mr. Malone will conduct a free workshop/demonstration/Q&A at the Orpheum Theater at 3pm. This is a great opportunity for guitarists, jazz musicians, or music lovers interested in learning about Mr. Malone's technique and approach to music.

The Russell Malone Quartet will perform at 8pm that evening, also at the Orpheum. The lineup of musicians is as follows:

Russell Malone: Guitar
Martin Bejerano: Piano (also plays with Roy Haynes and is a Grammy nominated musician)
Tassili Bond: Bass (played with Antonion Hart, Elvin Jones, Stefon Harris)
Johnathan Blake: Drums (Grammy nominated drummer and composer work with Kenny Barron, Randy Brecker)

Tickets are still available for this performance. Call the Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society box office at 605-335-6101 or purchase online.

Cool Down at Tre Lounge immediately following the concert with the Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society. SFJB ticket holders will enjoy food specials and happy hour prices. You never know ifa special guest will make a surprise appearance!

The Russell Malone Quartet concert and workshop are sponsored by The Design Studio, Inc., and the Performing Arts Fund, a program of Arts Midwest funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes a great nation deserves great art, with additional contributions from South Dakota Arts Council, General Mills Foundation, and Land O'Lakes Foundation.