Brendan Denison
NORMAL — Jazz, rock 'n' roll and puppies.
That’s what’s coming this weekend to Connie Link Amphitheatre in Normal: two separately-produced free festivals, ranging in musical styles from the heaviest rock to the spiffiest jazz riffs.
And, most performing musicians are local to Central Illinois.
Brandon Cattle with the Branding Irons will be dashing out the gate with cowpunk jams at 5 p.m. Friday, opening for the “Look, We're Just Trying to Do Something Nice, Okay?" Festival. They’ll be followed by hardcore punk band False Negative, Brett Conlin and the Midnight Miles, and “free jazz” group Disorganizer.
Download PDF
Later in this column you’ll read about what inspires Conlin to write roots rock 'n' roll, from growing up in a small town to loud FaceTime conversations overhead on a train ride.
That festival is being produced by Waiting Room Records out of uptown Normal. Store owner Jared Alcorn said they were approached by the Town of Normal about using the space, and Alcorn said, "let's do something nice."
And so, they’ll be hosting four talented bands, all local to the Blo-No area, as well as a pet adoption event with the Humane Society of Central Illinois. Those not wishing to adopt can provide to the shelter donations and supplies from their wish list.
Alcorn said they’ve personally gotten many animals from the Humane Society, including their shop cat, Murph.
He noted they had previously hosted an indoor cat adoption event, but an outdoor one would work better for dogs.
Alcorn expressed his gratitude to the bands, the Town of Normal, and all of his customers.
Further Jazz Fest
Snappy tunes will be clicking Saturday afternoon and evening at the Further Jazz Festival, being put on by nonprofit Further Jazz Inc.
Saxophonist and former Illinois Wesleyan University jazz director Glenn Wilson is leading his Further Jazz Octet that closes out the fest at 8 p.m. Saturday. He told me the event’s lineup is an eclectic mix of talented, improvisational jazz musicians, as an effort by the nonprofit to preserve and promote jazz as creative arts.
“Everybody on this stage pretty much has a doctorate or a master's degree in jazz, or they're working on it,” said Wilson. He counted six with doctorates and a dozen with master’s degrees.
Their level of musicianship is so high, he said that they’re not even rehearsing.
“We're all going to just show up and play it,” said Wilson.
The festival gets swinging at 4 p.m. Saturday with the Illinois State University Jazz Ensemble. After the big band plays, Wilson said the Crystal Rebone & Thaddeus Tukes Trio takes the stage, and it gets much quieter.
He noted they have a diverse lineup of both women-led and Black-led jazz bands. Rebone is a bassist who earned her doctoral degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and will be joined by Chicago vibraphonist Tukes.
Wilson said Rebone also teaches part time at Bradley University in Peoria.
The Reginald Lewis Quintet is up next at 6 p.m., and will be tuning in 1960s-style “blue note jazz,” Wilson said, led by IWU’s new jazz director. Lewis will be joined by others on piano, bass and drums, along with Wilson for a few tunes.
The Carlos Vegas Latin Jazz Ensemble goes on at 7 p.m., showcasing a Miami-based sax player. Wilson said his octet will be playing Latin jazz too, throwing back to his New York days when he played with Tito Puente and Machito.
Wilson said he’s additionally excited for the octet to perform songs by Dave Pell, a 1950s band leader and saxophonist.
“The tunes were all kind of short, the solos were short and it was very accessible music for people,” he said.
Pell’s arrangements were published only last year, Wilson continued.
“I think people are really going to enjoy that,” he said.
"Don't let go"
Brett Conlin said when writing music, he used to just settle for whatever ended up up on the page. Now, he tells me he constantly obsesses over syllables and stories.
That obsession was well worth every dime of his time. In the Midnight Miles’ latest EP record, his songwriting catches the listener like a sunset with starting track “Sidewalk Saints.”
Then in “Thanks for the Gas Money,” he scores out his punk rock band experiences, something that was a dream for many young guitarists and drummers, including myself. Conlin details the tough reality of playing a $50 bass guitar at shows where the room is cleared out in seconds — or where concert-goers won’t look away from their phones.
Moving on, the Midnight Miles strikes into “Don’t Let Go” on an uplifting note. He’s not kidding when he sings: “These nights they’re all one of a kind / Like a song that makes you feel great to be alive.”
The current MidnightMiles lineup includes Conlin, Ian Sheridan, Chris Whitacre and Gary Nass. BloNo Beats invited Conlin to answer the following questions about his experiences in live music:
What are the most important lessons you’ve learned from writing and releasing new music?
I feel like I’m still learning what I’m capable of as a writer. The biggest part of that has been that it will never get better without repetition, intent and inspiration. I used to write things and just settle for whatever ended up on the page. Now I’m constantly obsessing over words, syllables and stories. I’ve learned a lot from the other guys in the band about the importance of production and sound quality to be the vessel for a good song. I’ve also learned that you have to spill some of your own blood on the page and get the best guys in the band alongside you if you want to reach the people listening...
Putting out your own music has changed so much over the years. I remember just putting our band’s stuff on cassette tapes and CDs and it seemed so easy. And I wasn’t even good at playing music then! I think the overall lesson that I’ve learned in releasing music is that it’s a TON of work in today’s world; it can be overwhelming. For me what’s worked is to look at what bigger artists are doing and model that, even if it feels silly, because they’re doing these huge things and you’re not. Giving people an insight into what you’re feeling behind the words and music is huge for me with any release. You gotta put yourself out there if you expect people to latch on. You just have to be honest about who you are as person, and hope people will think you’re cool enough to buy your record. I’ve also realized that I’m very grateful to be releasing my own music, my own way.
With your last EP released, which songs are you most proud of and why?
I feel like the song "Sidewalk Saints" was the first song that I wrote for that, and it is still one of the ones I’m most proud of. I tend to always try and write lengthier songs with lots of words, so I was so happy that we got this short, radio-friendly anthem-sounding song together. I’ve never been able to do that! I love "Don’t Let Go," the last song on the record. We somehow managed to put pop punk, country and these like Beach Boys harmonies all in one song and make it work. The song that I think is my personal favorite is "Alley Boy Eternal." I feel like you can feel us all come together as a band on that one, and it’s about real stuff and the place where I grew up with my best friend, so it always feels like a really good, fun release to sing it.
Are there any specific life experiences that you derive inspiration from? Or is it anything and everything that strikes a lasting emotion?
It’s kind of a mix. Sometimes I tend to write a lot about how I’ve felt growing up in a smaller town, screwing up things in life, and struggling to find who I really am now as a 35-year-old with a wife and kids. Other times I really love digging into how I think people are feeling or experiencing something in their life. I love writing from someone else’s perspective and telling a story, even if it’s mostly fiction sparked from a certain moment. I wrote a song recently after hearing a person behind me on a train talk about how their life is falling apart. It was actually super annoying because they were on their FaceTime with the volume blaring in my ear, but their story stuck with me and I wrote this heartbreaking piano ballad about it. Even in that, it was impossible to not let parts of my own life spill in, though.
If you could give any advice to someone who is newly developing their passion for playing and writing music, what would you say?
Don’t get too excited and feel pressured to put out something that’s not ready. I did that a lot when I started. An embarrassing amount of times. Stay honest. With yourself. With your audience. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. Write something every day, even if it sucks. Write something funny once a week, or else you’ll take yourself too seriously. Find other people that are doing the same thing and get their feedback on what you’re working on. Find those friends that make you smile when you’re onstage together and stick with ‘em.
Tell me about the energy your band is bringing to Connie Link next week.
So, we have to do something a little different for this one. Our drummer, Ian, just had to have back surgery and won’t be able to play. So the rest of us are just going to do a stripped-down set. But we’re still super excited to be part of this. Morgan has been killing it with the events for uptown Normal, and Jared at Waiting Room is a great friend. Plus, we get to play with a bunch of local bands that we also love to see while we pet some cute dogs from the Humane Society. Definitely the most unique show that we’ve gotten to do all summer!
Photos: Old-Time Music jam in downtown Bloomington
Old Time Music jam 1 091322.JPG
Old Time Music jam 2 091322.JPG
Old Time Music jam 3 091322.JPG
Old Time Music jam 4 091322.JPG
Old Time Music jam 5 091322.JPG
Old Time Music jam 6 091322.JPG
Old Time Music jam 7 091322.JPG
Old Time Music jam 8 091322.JPG
Old Time Music jam 9 091322.JPG
Old Time Music jam 10 091322.JPG
Contact Brendan Denison at (309) 820-3238. Follow Brendan Denison on Twitter: @BrendanDenison
Tags
- Music
- Entertainment
- Normal
- Connie Link Amphitheatre
- Local Events
- Waiting Room Records
'); var s = document.createElement('script'); s.setAttribute('src', 'https://assets.revcontent.com/master/delivery.js'); document.body.appendChild(s); window.removeEventListener('scroll', throttledRevContent); __tnt.log('Load Rev Content'); } } }, 100); window.addEventListener('scroll', throttledRevContent);
Stay up-to-date on what's happening
Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!
Brendan Denison
Breaking News Reporter
Brendan Denison is our breaking news reporter. Denison was a digital content producer for WCIA-TV in Champaign and a reporter for The Commercial-News in Danville. He can be reached at (309) 820-3238 and bdenison@pantagraph.com.
- Author twitter
- Author email
Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Followed notifications
Please log in to use this feature
Log In
Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
FAQs
Will there be a Jazz Fest in 2022? ›
The organizers of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, better known simply as Jazz Fest, have announced a star-studded lineup for the 2022 edition of the fest, which returns on April 29 – May 8 after being kayo'd for two years in a row due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Is the Chicago Jazz Festival free? ›Admission to all performances is free. As in previous years, outside alcohol is not allowed for the Chicago Jazz Festival in Millennium Park, but alcohol at various price points may be purchased inside the venue. Plan your visit here.
Where is the best jazz festival? ›The Montreal International Jazz Festival
The event holds the Guinness World Record for hosting more than 1.9 million jazz fans during its 25th-anniversary celebration, cementing its place in history. The event is held annually, starting in June and running into July in Quebec, Canada.
The Black Crowes, Luke Combs, Jimmy Buffett, Lionel Richie, and Erykah Badu are also among the top-billed talent, with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Elvis Costello and the Imposters, Death Cab for Cutie, Norah Jones, Randy Newman, the Avett Brothers, Dawn Richard, Kool & the Gang, and dozens of New Orleans legends — ...
Who is replacing Willie Nelson at Jazz Fest? ›Zac Brown Band to replace Willie Nelson at the 2022 New Orleans Jazz Fest on Sunday.
What are the dates of jazz Fest 2022? › Will there be a Chicago Blues Festival in 2022? ›Chicago Blues Festival Schedule — Thursday, June 9, 2022.
What time does the jazz Fest start in Chicago? ›Tuesday, August 30, 6:30pm.
Where is the biggest jazz festival in USA? ›Top Jazz Festivals in the U.S.
In fact, the world's longest-running jazz festival takes place in Monterey, California. The second-largest, and arguably one of the best, is held each year in Jacksonville, Florida.
Will there be a Hampton Jazz Festival 2022? ›
2022 Hampton Jazz Festival Cancellation | Hampton Jazz Festival. The Hampton Jazz Festival Board of Directors announced that the 2022 Hampton Jazz Festival – scheduled for June 24-26 at the Hampton Coliseum – will not be held this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Where is the Newport Beach jazz festival? ›Hyatt Regency Newport Beach – California.
Can you bring food into Jazz Fest? ›No “carnival” food items or beverages will be considered.
Can you bring drinks into Jazz Fest? ›Tickets at the gate – If the Jazz Festival is not sold out, general admission tickets can be purchased at the gate. For ticket pricing and availability on day of event call (310) 217-9537. Alcohol – NO alcohol is allowed.
What do you wear to Jazz Fest? ›Proper clothing - Again, dress comfortably. Wear something lightweight and casual. Shorts are usually the best, but as a hater of shorts, a sundress works just fine. Definitely wear a comfortable, cool top (i.e. a tank top, or, if you are worried about tan lines, a strapless shirt).
What should I do after Jazz Fest? ›After The Festival
Frenchmen Street teems with jazz clubs that keep the party going until the sun comes up. Tipitina's, located uptown, is a favorite after-hours venue for Jazz Fest regulars, as features the annual Midnight Preserves concert series hosted at Preservation Hall.
Currently, New Orleans Jazz Festival tickets at Vivid Seats typically start at roughly $186, with an average price around $761.
Is Lukas Nelson related to Willie Nelson? ›The band consists of Lukas Nelson (lead vocals, guitar), Anthony LoGerfo (drums, percussion), Corey McCormick (bass guitar, vocals), Logan Metz (keyboards, lap steel, guitar, harmonica, vocals), and Tato Melgar (percussion). Lukas is the son of Willie Nelson.
How old is Woody Nelson? › What can you bring to the Capital Jazz Fest? ›Coolers, picnic baskets, knapsacks, and tote bags — allowable, but are subject to inspection prior to entry. Note that food and beverages will be available for purchase at the festival concession areas. Lawn chairs — allowable on the lawn only. Must be no higher than 36″ from the ground.
Is New Orleans crowded during Jazz Fest? ›
The Fest generally attracts around 500,000 people — more than the entire population of New Orleans — to the Fair Grounds during the two long weekends.
When should I visit New Orleans? ›Early spring and late fall is the best time to visit New Orleans. Specifically March through April and October through November. These months offer the best sightseeing weather and decent crowd levels.
Is Chicago Blues Festival free? ›Free admission • Millennium Park and beyond
More than 500,000 blues fans gather in Chicago's Millennium Park and venues across the city for multiple days of performances — all free and open to the public — featuring some of the genre's most revered musicians, along with up-and-coming and local talent.
Last year it was just one night because of the pandemic, but this year it's four full days. Concerts in Millennium Park start at 2:40 p.m. Thursday through Sunday and include Shemekia Copeland and Ronnie Baker Brooks.
Where is the blues festival in Chicago? ›201 E. Randolph St. Parking: Visit www.millenniumgarages.com or call 312.616.
Why did jazz musicians end up in Chicago? ›They headed to Chicago after the race tensions were exacerbated in New Orleans. King Oliver and his band drew masses of people to Chicago's Lincoln Gardens. The bluesy sound and exciting rhythm was foreign to Chicago, and was immediately absorbed into popular culture.
Will there be a jazz festival in Chicago this year? ›The Chicago Jazz Festival is back in full force after a hiatus in 2020 and a slimmed down version in 2021. Chicago Jazz Magazine and ChicagoJazz.com has been the official publishers of the city of Chicago Jazz Festival Program Book since 2002.
Where is the world's oldest jazz festival? ›The Monterey Jazz Festival is the longest continuously running jazz festival in the world. Founded in 1958, it was hosted at the 20-acre Monterey County Fairgrounds over a weekend in late September, featuring performers like Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, and Dave Brubeck.
When was the first jazz festival? ›The first Jazz Fest took place between April 22 and 26, 1970, in Congo Square, then known as Beauregard Square, in Louis Armstrong Park. Attendees only numbered about 350—fewer than half of the total number of musicians and staff it took to present the event.
Who's performing at the Monterey Jazz Festival? ›- 4:00 pm. Akira Tana & Otonowa. 5:30 pm. Samara Joy. 7:00 pm. Julian Lage Trio. 8:30 pm. The Bad Plus.
- 12:30 pm. Moy Eng – The Blue Hour Project. 2:00 pm. Fleurine. 3:30 pm. Butcher Brown. 5:00 pm. Emmet Cohen Trio. 7:00 pm. ...
- 12:30 pm. Emil Afrasiyab Trio. 2:00 pm. Brandee Younger Trio. 3:30 pm. Gerald Clayton Trio. 5:00 pm. Keyon Harrold.
Will there be a Richmond Jazz Festival 2022? ›
Richmond Jazz Festival Tickets, 2022-2023 Concert Tour Dates | Ticketmaster.
What are the dates for the Hampton Jazz Festival? ›- 56th Annual Festival: June 23, 24, 25, 2023.
- 57th Annual Festival: June 28, 29, 30, 2024.
- 58th Annual Festival: June 27, 28, 29, 2025.
The live performances were set outdoors, on a lawn. These performances were given by a number of notable jazz musicians, including Billie Holiday, and were emceed by Stan Kenton. The festival was hailed by major magazines and newspapers, and some 13,000 people attended between the two days.
What time does Newport Jazz Festival start? ›Friday: Doors open at 6:00 pm at the Back Bay Amphitheater. Saturday and Sunday: Doors open at 10:30 am on the Golf Course.
What's the lineup for the Newport Jazz Festival? ›In addition to the new artists being announced today, this year's festival features Norah Jones, Esperanza Spalding,The Fearless Flyers, Angelique Kidjo's Remain In Light, Terence Blanchard, PJ Morton, The Ron Carter Quartet, BADBADNOTGOOD, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Lettuce, Cory Wong, Sons of Kemet, Nubya Garcia, ...
Can I bring an empty water bottle to Jazz Fest 2022? ›You CANNOT Bring
No open or empty containers - this includes water bottles.
The 475,000 figure in 2019 and 2022 is the highest total attendance for Jazz Fest since Hurricane Katrina. The highest attendance in Jazz Fest's history was in 2001. An estimated total of 650,000 fans passed through the gates during the seven days of the festival.
How far is Jazz Fest from French Quarter? ›It's about a 3 mile ride from the French Quarter, and there are bicycle corrals at both the Gentilly and Sauvage entrances.
Who created the 2022 Jazz Fest Poster and who is the poster of? ›NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The 2022 Jazz Fest poster captures the sounds of one of this year's Grammy winners in full color, Jon Batiste, but the idea was already in paint before the trophies hit Batiste's hands, thanks to an equally popular painter, Terrance Osborne, who has graced the Jazz Fest with his art multiple times ...
How do you get to Jazz Fest in New Orleans? ›- Be prepared for ALL weathers. ...
- Remember to account for tax and tip. ...
- Make the most of the food and drink. ...
- Pre-drink before you go in. ...
- Where to stay for NOLA Jazz Festival. ...
- Don't just stick to the main stage. ...
- Buy the tickets on the day. ...
- Take a chair or blanket.
Is Jazz Fest muddy? ›
Unlike Coachella, Jazz Fest doesn't focus on the Instagram worthy fashion. You should always be prepared for the New Orleans' heat, humidity and rain. Meaning hats, shorts, and a light rain jacket should be staples in your wardrobe. Don't forget your rain boots, because it's known to get muddy out there.
What time does Jazz Fest end? › What should a guy wear to a jazz concert? ›While there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to what to wear to a jazz concert, men should always wear a button-up shirt and slacks. Women can wear anything from jeans and sneakers to a nice dress.
Where is the Seabreeze Jazz festival 2022? › Will there be a Richmond Jazz festival 2022? ›Richmond Jazz Festival Tickets, 2022-2023 Concert Tour Dates | Ticketmaster.
What do you wear to Jazz Fest? ›Proper clothing - Again, dress comfortably. Wear something lightweight and casual. Shorts are usually the best, but as a hater of shorts, a sundress works just fine. Definitely wear a comfortable, cool top (i.e. a tank top, or, if you are worried about tan lines, a strapless shirt).
What can I bring to Jazz Fest? ›Collapsible chairs, blankets and ground tarps are ideal for sitting down and enjoying the concerts throughout the fairgrounds. Sunscreen is also a must. Other than factory-sealed water bottles, no outside food or beverages are allowed upon entry.
Is New Orleans crowded during Jazz Fest? ›The Fest generally attracts around 500,000 people — more than the entire population of New Orleans — to the Fair Grounds during the two long weekends.
How much are tickets to Cincinnati Jazz festival? ›Ticket prices range from $60 for general admission tickets to $150+ for VIP tickets. To buy tickets directly through the Santangelo Group, Inc., call 513-924-0900. Office hours are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday.
What do you wear to the Cincinnati Music Festival? ›Cincinnati Music Festival clothing – Get into the Cincinnati Music Festival spirit by wearing your vintage Cincinnati Music Festival shirt or hat to the festival. Comfortable pair of shoes – since you'll probably be doing lots of walking throughout the day. Comfortable clothes – Dress for the weather.
Who will be performing at the Cincinnati Music Festival 2022? ›
- Thursday, July 21: BJ the Chicago Kid plus one act TBD, Ari Lennox (at The Andrew J. Brady Music Center)
- Friday, July 22: Charlie Wilson, Anthony Hamilton, Toni! Tony! Tone!, Jonathan Butler, Another Artist TBD.
- Saturday, July 23: Janet Jackson, The O'Jays, Tank, After 7, Kirk Whalum.
It's the ultimate weekend of smooth jazz! Taking place every spring in sunny Panama City Beach, Florida, at the Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater, this is the place to be to welcome in the warmer weather. See Seabreeze Jazz Poster History Here!
Will there be a Hampton Jazz Festival 2022? ›2022 Hampton Jazz Festival Cancellation | Hampton Jazz Festival. The Hampton Jazz Festival Board of Directors announced that the 2022 Hampton Jazz Festival – scheduled for June 24-26 at the Hampton Coliseum – will not be held this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.