Two HUGE days of free jazz ahead

Alexander City Jazz Fest June 8-9: New Devils, Jon Cleary, Hollis Brown, Yonrico Scott, Roman Street and Taylor Hicks line up for Strand Park, The AMP on Lake Martin

Lineup is slated for the 28th annual Alexander City Jazz Fest on Friday, June 8 at Strand Park in downtown Alexander City and Saturday, June 9 at AMP on Lake Martin.

This two-day music festival is free and presented by Russell Lands on Lake Martin.

“We are thrilled with the diversity and talent we have recruited to perform at this year’s Jazz Fest,” said Ed Collari, President and CEO of the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce. “This is the flagship event for Alex City and the Lake Martin community and it’s exciting to have this caliber of musicians performing in front of the thousands of attendees Jazz Fest draws over the two days.”

Kicking off Friday night Jazz Fest at Strand Park is The New Devils, a soulful rock-n-roll band with a country twist, delivering an immersive story with melodies you’re sure to hum along to.

They will be followed by Jon Cleary, a staple of New Orleans R&B, with a 35-year career that has earned him worldwide respect as an accomplished keyboardist and guitarist and deeply moving vocalist. Cleary’s hands-on work in the Crescent City music scene has made him a respected peer of New Orleans R&B icons such as Dr. John and Allen Toussaint.

The opening night headliner of the festival is Hollis Brown, an American indie rock-n-roll band who have toured extensively in the United States and Europe headlining and supporting bands such as Counting Crows, Citizen Cope, The Zombies and Jackie Greene.

Opening Saturday night’s show at AMP on Lake Martin is Yonrico Scott, a Grammy Award-winning musician whose career began at the age of seven and has since taken him to record or share the stage with a Who’s Who list of well-known artists such as Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and The Allman Brothers Band.

The second act on night two will be Roman Street, who have been dubbed the next generation of Jazz Fusion with brothers Noah and Josh Thompson combining their guitar skills to form an internationally formed instrumental group specializing in improvised classical fusion. , gypsy and contemporary. Jazz, Latin and New Flamenco.

Rounding out the 28th Annual Alex City Jazz Fest, Alabama native and former American Idol winner Taylor Hicks will bring excitement to the stage with her soulful vocals and talented cast of bandmates for a fast paced and energetic. closer.

“I would like to thank Russell Lands on Lake Martin for serving as title sponsor and all of our sponsors and the Town of Alexander City for allowing us to host this event each year,” Collari said.

More information can be found at www.alexcityjazzfest.com or by liking the Alex City Jazz Fest Facebook page. Contact the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce with any questions at (256) 234-3461.

Alexander City Jazz Festival

Friday, June 8 (Strand Park): New Devils, 6-7 p.m., Jon Cleary, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Hollis Brown, 9-10:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 9 (The AMP on Lake Martin): Yonrico Scott, 6-7 p.m., Roman Street, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Taylor Hicks, 9-10:30 p.m.