Jazz festival returns to Corporate Woods

Jazz In The Woods Inc. and the Overland Park South Rotary Club announce the 21st Annual “Jazz in the Woods” jazz festival Friday, June 11, and Saturday, June 12, at Founder’s Park in Corporate Woods, Interstate 435 and U.S. Highway 69.

The family-friendly outdoor event is the largest free music festival in a six-state area and the largest free jazz festival in the Kansas City area.

In 2009, more than 40,000 people attended the event. This year’s talent lineup features local, regional and national recording artists. Headline acts are Mindi Abair on Friday evening, and Nick Collionne and Steve Cole, as well as Kansas City’s Bobby Watson on Saturday evening.

“We are bringing in exciting jazz performers with tremendous energy and wide appeal,” Jamie Clark, 2010 event chair, said. “This year will feature local, regional and national artists, several of whom are returning based on popular demand.

“I would not be surprised if we top last year’s record attendance. Many people are searching for this type of great entertainment in a family-friendly setting with no charge for admission. We will be offering an exclusive VIP Tent experience again this year.”

Abair, who returns to rave reviews from last year’s Jazz in the Woods, released a new CD in May, “In Hi-Fi Stereo,” ranked No. 18 on the smoothjazz.com Top 50 radio chart. Her single “Be Beautiful” is No. 13 on the Billboard Top 15 Jazz Songs chart. Mindi Abair on photo.

Also performing Friday is St. Louis-based singer Erin Bode and the Austin-based group Mingo Fishtrap. The Erin Bode Group returns to Jazz in the Woods for its third appearance in the past 10 years and the group is working on a CD set for release later this summer.

Mingo Fishtrap appears at Jazz in the Woods for the first time and brings an eight-piece, high-energy mix of jazz, funk, blues and rock to the stage. On Saturday, guitarist/vocalist Colionne and saxophonist Cole will join forces, preceded by guitarist Matt Marshak and Watson, featuring bassist Curtis Lundy.

A 5K Run/Walk will debut this year at 7:30 a.m. Saturday. For children, there will be free Kona shaved ice, inflatables, a kids’ fun run at 8:30 a.m. and Sluggerrr, the Royal’s mascot.
Bobby Watson on photo.

Proceeds benefit local children’s charities, including the Fox 4 Love Fund for Children, Marillac, Lee Ann Britain Infant Development Center and the Overland Park South Rotary Club Foundation.
For more information, visit http://www.jazzinthewoods.com/
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