"Blues" in the Park

Thursday started off as a dreary day. As I worked on my Dell desktop in my cubicle I listened to the pelts of morning rain drumming on the skylights and got a little nervous that Mother Nature would spoil my plans for the evening.

This was going to be my first time at Jazz in the Park, but the music series has been going on for 17-years as a showcase of the best local, regional and national musicians. All season-long attendees hear a variety of jazz ranging from straight ahead jazz mixed with some Latin sounds, to contemporary and acid jazz, and to everything in between.

After work, I was in a steady rush as the gray clouds began to clear to make way for blue skies and humid temperatures. I hoped that the earlier weather would have discouraged most from going to Jazz in the Park so that I could take my time and still get a nice spot for my picnic blanket. (I’m a bit naïve, I guess.)

People who are fortunate to work downtown can walk from their building and stake out a spot early-on, but for everyone else finding a good place to squat is entirely based on luck (or maybe a bit more planning than what I did).

For organizers, sponsors and vendors, the popularity of Jazz in the Park is obviously wonderful. On the other hand, several 2006 Jazz in the Park regulars that I know claim it’s getting “too mainstream,” therefore, it’s losing its appeal.

You’d think that since Jazz in the Park is put on every single Thursday during the summer that after a while, the crowds would begin to thin out. Every Thursday I drive past Cathedral Square on my way home from work and I’m always amazed by the turnout for each Jazz in the Park, and even more surprised that each week the crowd seems to get larger.

I finally made it home from work around 5:30 and was out the door a little after 6 p.m. I walked to Beans and Barley to pickup a bottle of red wine and a dill havarti deli sandwich for dinner. Afterward, I met up with my sister, brother and Eric; we made our way down to Cathedral Square as quickly as possible.

When we got to East Town, we could hear the music reverberating off the surrounding buildings. Despite the chance of unpleasant weather, the turnout was good; however, according to Jazz in the Park followers it was a little less packed than usual. Still, people were sitting in the street, across the street, and practically on each other’s laps; I can’t imagine this park holding more spectators!

Maybe Jazz in the Park would be less crowded if it were held in a bigger park, my sister, Terry, and I discussed. But both of us agreed that half the appeal is that it’s held in the middle of downtown and since it’s free, people will continue to swarm no matter which city park holds the event. Besides, this musical event was created to draw people downtown to highlight the East Town neighborhood as a great place to work, live and find entertainment.

Last Thursday’s Jazz in the Park presented the Alex Wilson Band. Alex effortlessly switched between genres as he plays everything from sweet Beale Street blues to west coast swing and hard Texas grinders.

The four of us were hungry, so we were glad when we found a spot right away near the swing set and a large tree at one of the corners of the park. I immediately tore open my sandwich wrapper and the bottle of wine with the corkscrew I remembered to grab last minute; unfortunately I forgot the glasses so we passed the bottle of Portuguese wine around and drank from it directly. Classy, I know.

Even with chairs and picnic tables unfolding into Jackson and Jefferson Streets, I was able to find a couple friends who moved their picnic next to ours. We shared Dixie plates of fruit, cheese, and crackers and told recent stories as we tuned in to Alex and his band.

“With Craig Panosh on the drums and Alex’s brother Matthew on the bass guitar, Alex is running with one of the toughest bands in the American blues scene,” says Music in the Park, Inc., a non-profit of the East Town Association.

The Milwaukee trio, winner of the 2007 WAMI (Wisconsin Area Music Industry) Award for blues group/artist of the year, played original works from their album Tell Me Why – a contemporary blues piece “You Used to Know Me” and a southern tune “Lookin’ Good” – later they moved on to favorites by artists like Buddy Guy, Otis Redding and Johnny Cash, and then ended with a rendition of Yankee Doodle Dandy.

My first Jazz in the Park experience was a good one. Although some people are being turned off by the crowds, I don’t think that should keep spectators from enjoying a free jazz concert with friends, family or co-workers. If Jazz in the Park remains this popular, can you imagine what it will continue to do for the city’s popularity and culture? Not to mention the vendors and nearby restaurants that must be making bank during Jazz in the Park, which is also great for this developing city.

If you’re looking to explore the variety of jazz styles that are currently on the music scene, Jazz in the Park runs every Thursday night until the end of September starting at 6:30 p.m. until about 9. Up coming Jazz in the Park artists include:

August 16 - Nabori (Latin/Salsa)
August 23 - Cary Christensen & the All-Star Superband (big band jazz)
August 30 - Deirdre Fellner & the Whole of Soul (jazz/blues/soul/funk/gospel)
September 6 - Mike Markaverich (straight-ahead jazz)
September 13 - Ray Blue and the Cross Continental Spirit (traditional jazz)
September 20 - Ellen Winters Quintet (traditional contemporary jazz)
September 27 - Streetlife with Warren Wiegatz (R&B/smooth jazz)

If you think you’d enjoy the diverse blues played by the Alex Wilson Band (and I think you would), there are several shows coming up in Milwaukee.

Thursday, August 16 - Zoo A la Carte at 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 30 - Milwaukee Ale House at 7 p.m.

Comments

[bluesphee]

I was there on Thurday too and I've gone about 4 times this year. I've been going for three years and always have a great time.

I really don't know what the hell people are complaining about with the crowds. I have absolutely no problem with the fact that a lot of people go there. It's a lot more festive with people there and I'm glad to see people hanging out downtown.

[Kristin]

I have to admit, I'm one of those people that have been slightly turned off by the increasing crowds at Jazz in the Park over the past couple years. It's not the size of the crowd that gets to me -- it may just be an unfortunate coincidence that I always seem to end up surrounded by people who are not there for the music at all. I understand that Jazz in the Park is a great way to get out and be social and enjoy being outside downtown in the summer... but it's called Jazz in the Park for a reason. It's not Hang-Out-and-Get-Drunk in the Park. The last three times I've gone, I ended up wishing I'd been standing in the parking lot of the Metro Market, listening from afar... I used to go on a regular basis, but now I only go when there's a group that I really want to see. Maybe if I went a little more often again, I'd have better luck... ?

I'd really recommend going on September 27th, though, to see Streetlife with Warren Wiegratz. I've heard Mr. Wiegratz play a number of times, and he is an amazing musician. (I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to meet him and play a gig that he was at a few years ago -- so nerve-wracking!) He was so nice though. He's the kind of musician that you can tell has a lot of fun doing what he does, and gets really excited about the younger generation of musicians. This is all pretty pointless information... so basically I'm just trying to say GO SEE WARREN WIEGRATZ. :)

[KarenC]

I agree blue. It's nice to see people out and about in the city. If an event can attract that size of a crowd, what's the problem? Isn't that a GOOD thing for our city?
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Hey Kristin- Thanks for the suggestion! I'm actually planning to go back for Gary Christensen & the All-Star Superband. A sixteen piece Jazz Big Band (I love big band music) composed of 5 saxes, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, guitar, string bass, and drums really is a SUPERband!

In addition, I think you should give Jazz in the Park another shot. Maybe the fourth time is the REAL charm…

[Kristin]

Yeah, I really should give it another shot. The SuperBand is really great, by the way. That's actually the group that I know Warren Wiegratz from the most. He plays tenor sax in the band, and one of my most influential mentors plays the alto sax... Anyway, you'll really like them. In fact, you may have convinced me to go that night as well...

[KarenC]

BWAHAHAHA! (evil laugh) That was my plan!

[Eric]

Trocoderos (spelling?) last year had a deal where you could show up at their establishment and get a free limo ride to Jazz in the Park with complementary champagne. Anyone know if that's still going on?

[Kristin]

Your comment prompted me to look that up, Eric... and it seems like they still do! How fancy...

http://www.ztrocadero.com/events/free-limo-rides