New Orleans Tribute

Each June brings an embarrassment of riches for music fans when the Madison Jazz Festival returns, this year from June 7-16. Coordinated in partnership by Arts + Literature Lab and the Wisconsin Union Theater, the schedule features an array of concerts and a couple special events focusing on the late Richard Davis, a former UW professor and international music legend. On June 8, Chuck France discusses Davis’ work with vocalist Sarah Vaughan (10:30 a.m., Pinney Library), and June 13 features a screening of the new documentary String Theory: The Richard Davis Method, plus a discussion by director Michael Neelsen and others (7 p.m., Madison Museum of Contemporary Art). Ticketed concerts include guitarist Raul Midón (8 p.m., June 8, Cafe Coda); jazz-rockers Marbin (7 p.m., June 9, High Noon); and Miguel Zenón & Luis Perdomo performing music from the new album El Arte del Bolero Vol. 2 (7:30 p.m., June 10, ALL). The rest of the fest’s events are free to attend, including UW Memorial Union Terrace headliners the Orrin Evans Quartet (7 p.m., June 15) and Dee Dee Bridgewater’s We Exist quartet (7 p.m., June 16). Find the full schedule at madisonjazzfestivalwi.org.

media release: The Summer Concert Series was started by one of the four senior coalitions that merged to become NewBridge Madison. In 1993, the North/Eastside Senior Coalition (NESCO) initiated the Summer Concert Series at Warner Park in order to bring people together and provide older adults in the area with free, high-quality summer entertainment. The trial run was a success.

These concerts not only brought out older adults who were members of the coalition but also many individuals and families from the community. Concert attendance has increased from 650 (total for all six concerts) in the initial year to over 2,500 the past year few years. Now the concerts attract not only older adults but also younger adults with disabilities as well as families with young children.

Watch newbridgemadison.org for updates.

June 10 features The New Orleans Tribute.

Comprised of some of Madison’s longstanding jazz musicians, The New Orleans Tribute plays New Orleans jazz, R&B and second line music. Members of the band play with Mama Digdown’s Brass Band, Mr. Chair and the Chris Rottmayer Quartet. 

Led by TRombonist/vocalist Darren Sterud, the band continues to play regularly in the area and is working on their second album. The horn section is rounded out by Trumpeter and East HS alum Ben Bell Bern and trombonist/composer Nat McIntosh. The rhythm section is comprised of award winning pianist and DMA candidate Chris Rottmayer, West HS alum, co leader of Mr. Chair and DMA candidate Ben Ferris on bass, and drummer with Mama Digdown’s and composer/performer in Chants Jordan Cohen. 

media release:

The 2024 Madison Jazz Festival returns on Friday, June 7, 2024, with 10 days of jazz across Greater Madison, culminating with two days at the Memorial Union Terrace, June 15-16. There's something for everyone - free concerts, presentations, and ticketed shows featuring some of today's finest jazz artists.

The schedule (Watch for updates at madisonjazzfestivalwi.org).

Friday, June 7, 7pm: “Puccini, My Love” by B.I.T. Duo at ALL (Free)

Saturday, June 8, 10:30am: Chuck France presents "At the Intersection of Sarah Vaughan University and Richard Davis Lane," Pinney Library (Free)

Saturday, Jun 8, 8pm: Raul Midón, "Lost & Found" at Cafe CODA (Tickets on sale now! $25 advance online, $30 at door)

Sunday, June 9, 5pm: The Dan Cavanagh Quartet, Summer Sunday series at Allen Centennial Garden (Free)

Sunday, June 9, 7pm: Marbin, progressive jazz-rock at High Noon Saloon (tickets soon at https://high-noon.com/)

Monday, June 10, 6-7:30pm: The New Orleans Tribute kicks off the NewBridge Summer Concert Series at Warner Park (Free)

Monday, June 10, 7:30pm: Miguel Zenón & Luis Perdomo “El Arte Del Bolero” at ALL (Tickets on sale now!)

Tuesday, June 11, 7pm: Lenard Simpson Quartet at North Street Cabaret (Free)

Tuesday, June 11, 9pm: Madison Jazz Jam feat. Leonard Simpson Quartet at North Street Cabaret (Free)

Wednesday, June 12, 7pm: Mr. Chair's Strings & Things at Cafe CODA (Free)

Thursday, June 13, 7pm: Screening of String Theory: The Richard Davis Method with producer Peter Dominguez, director Michael Neelsen, RDYB Executive Director Catherine Harris, Ben Ferris, and Chuck France at Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (Free)

Friday, June 14, 7:30pm: Celebration of Vocal Jazz feat. Adekola Adedapo, Donna Woodall, and Michelle DuVall at ALL (Free)  

Saturday, June 15: Jazz on the Terrace: MJF High School All Stars 1 p.m., Gerri DiMaggio 3 p.m,., Heirloom 5 p.m., Orrin Evans Quartet 7 p.m., Betty Guererro & La Combi (Celia Cruz tribute) 9 p.m.

Sunday, June 16: Jazz on the Terrace: Anders Svanoe's Teleporting Rhythmic Orchestra 1 p.m., John Christensen Quartet with Russ Johnson 3 p.m., Pawan Benjamin 5 p.m., Dee Dee Bridgewater Quartet 7 p.m.