Two Toe-Tapping Days of Jazz Plus Can’t-Miss Talks with Artists
Stretch those toes and feet, because you’re about to do some major toe-tapping during the Madison Jazz Festival at Memorial Union.
Love jazz? Awesome, you’re going to love this festival. New to jazz? We’ve got your free and low-cost ways to get to know the art form that prompted George Gershwin to say, “Jazz is one of the best things that you can find in your life. It can always be your friend.” Decided you don’t like jazz? C’mon, give it another chance. Jazz can convey many motions, is not held to a certain speed, can incorporate bits of every other music genre, can feel ordered or beautifully chaotic – it is a genre that does not hold itself to one defining sound or style. With each jazz performance that you attend, you unfold a new aspect of jazz’s identity, and that process will never end.
Keep reading for your who, what, when and where for each Wisconsin Union Theater-hosted Madison Jazz Festival events:
- June 18
- Conversation with Brian Blade
- Who: Brian Blade is a GRAMMY-winning drummer and composer. His drumming has been described by Modern Drummer Magazine as explosive and magically quirky.
- What: WORT’s Strictly Jazz Sounds Host Stephen Braunginn will join Brian at the event, asking Brian the questions we all want to ask this artist that is among the world’s best drummers. If you have ever listened to Stephen’s show, you know that he is a talented interviewer who brings out the personal and professional sides of artists and that he asks questions that no one has thought to ask artists before. You don’t want to miss this.
- When: 1:30-2:30 p.m.
- Where: Play Circle Theater at Memorial Union
- How to attend: Doors open at 1 p.m. with first come, first served seating. No need to pre-register. Just come down to Memorial Union for an afternoon conversation with this artist. This event is free to attend.
- Free Jazz on the Terrace
- Who: Emma Dayhuff’s Phoenix Ensemble featuring Greg Ward, Isaiah Collier, and Vincent Davis, Sarah M. Greer, Sharel Cassity and the UW Faculty Band, Charanga Agoza, and Mama Digdown’s Brass Band
- What: We’re celebrating jazz through the afternoon and night with free performances at our iconic lakeside destination. Free, live music with a lake view – it doesn’t get better than that.
- When: 2:30-11:30 p.m.
- Where: Memorial Union Terrace (rain location: Play Circle Theater – Food not permitted in the Play Circle. You are welcome to bring your beverage.)
- How to attend: Seating is first come, first served. We have more than 2,000 seats outside and hundreds more inside Memorial Union.
- Performance by Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band
- Who: GRAMMY-winning jazz artist Brian Blade teams up with the Fellowship Band
- What: Experience the grace and unity of Brian and the Fellowship Band for a night of captivating jazz.
- When: 8 p.m.
- Where: Shannon Hall at Memorial Union
- How to attend: Purchase a ticket online, by phone at (608) 265-2787 or at the Memorial Union Box Office.
- Conversation with Brian Blade
- June 19
- Talk by Jazz Historian Patricia Willard: Duke and Paul
- Who: Patricia Willard, jazz historian, writer photojournalist, concert producer and research consultant
- What: Patricia will share her first-person experiences with Duke Ellington and his orchestra at UW-Madison. This is an opportunity to get to know this legendary, passed performer from someone who knew him and has studied his life and career. The talk will include a video of Duke Ellington and Paul Gonsalves performing “Happy Reunion” in Mills Hall in 1972.
- When: 1:30-2:30 p.m.
- Where: Play Circle Theater at Memorial Union
- How to attend: How to attend: Seating is first come, first served. No need to pre-register for this free event.
- Free Jazz on the Terrace
- Who: Black Power Dance with Francis Medrano, Tani Diakite, Black Power Dance, and the Adem Tesfaye Band
- What: Grab a brat and cold beverage from the Brat Stand at the Terrace and settle onto one of our iconic Terrace sunburst chairs for hours of free jazz.
- When: 3:30-7:30 p.m.
- Where: Memorial Union Terrace (rain location: Play Circle Theater – Food not permitted in the Play Circle. You are welcome to bring your beverage.)
- How to attend: Seating is first come, first served with plenty of seats outside, including an upper level on the west side of the Terrace that overlooks our dining and entertainment destination and Lake Mendota.
- Performance by Christian McBride in Celebration of Juneteenth
- Who: Eight-Time GRAMMY winner and acclaimed acoustic and electric bassist Christian McBride has shined in the jazz music scene since the 1980s, building a reputation of extraordinary versatility, passion for music and awe-inspiring talent.
- What: Luminary Christian McBride will take the historic Shannon Hall stage together with saxophonist Nicole Glover, guitarist Ely Perlman, pianist Mike King, and drummer Savannah Harris. Please join us to experience Christian’s mesmerizing artistry.
- When: 8 p.m.
- Where: Shannon Hall at Memorial Union
- How to attend: Purchase a ticket online, by phone at (608) 265-2787 or at the Memorial Union Box Office.
- Talk by Jazz Historian Patricia Willard: Duke and Paul
Additional Madison Jazz Festival events will take place throughout Madison. To learn more, visit artlitlab.org/programs/greater-madison-jazz/madison-jazz-festival.
Tip: Pick up a passport at any Madison Jazz Fest event, and get it stamped at each event you attend throughout the festival (or show your ticket purchase receipt). With your stamps, you will earn points that you can redeem at participating venues, including the Wisconsin Union Theater.
Want to help make the festival possible? Come volunteer! As part of your role, you’ll get to experience much of the festival for free, and you will receive a limited-edition Madison Jazz Fest 2022 t-shirt. Visit our website for the volunteer sign-up pages.
The Madison Jazz Festival is presented by the Wisconsin Union Theater in partnership with Arts + Literature Laboratory.
P.S. This would make a great Father’s Day outing. Happy father’s day to the fathers and father figures out there!
