The Isthmus Jazz Festival will feature Grammy-winning saxophonist David Sanchez along with 10 local acts on June 5 and 6 at the UW Memorial Union. Sanchez plays a ticketed concert at the Wisconsin Union Theater, while the local musicians perform free of charge outside on the Terrace. The event promises to be a swinging kickoff for summer.
Sanchez is from Puerto Rico but shies away from the "Latin jazz" label. He performs his own fusion of Afro-Caribbean music and mainstream jazz, influenced by such notable mentors as Dizzy Gillespie, Eddie Palmieri and Charlie Haden. He has formidable chops, honed during the past 20 years on New York City's competitive jazz scene. Tickets for the Sanchez concert are available at the Wisconsin Union Theater box office, 800 Langdon St.; by calling 262-2201; or through www.uniontheater.wisc.edu. Prices are $34, $28 and $18; $10 for UW students.
The local acts run the gamut from big band to bebop to New Orleans funk. Classic vocalist Jan Wheaton puts her own stamp on standards, as does Gerri DiMaggio and guest singers Lynette Margulies, Sally DeBroux and Jeannie Woodall. The Tim Whalen Nonet, Get Down, Mr. Cat! and the Madison Jazz Orchestra feature sophisticated arrangements, while the New Breed Quintet and the new Patrick Breiner Trio give soloists a long leash. Madisalsa, which closes the festival on Saturday night, should have booties shaking into the wee hours.
Isthmus Jazz Festival
UW Memorial Union
All events free on the Terrace except for the ticketed David Sanchez concert in the Wisconsin Union Theater
Friday, June 5
4-5:30 p.m.: Patrick Breiner Trio
6-7:30 p.m.: Gerri DiMaggio
8-9:30 p.m.: New Breed Quintet
10 p.m.-close: Madison Jazz Orchestra
Saturday, June 6
12:30-1:30 p.m.: Mama Dig Down's Brass Band (beginning on Library mall)
2-3:30 p.m.: High School Jazz All-Stars
5-6 p.m.: Jan Wheaton
6:30-8 p.m.: Tim Whalen Nonet
8-9:30 p.m.: Headliner David Sanchez, ticketed event in the Wisconsin Union Theater
8:30-10 p.m.: Get Down, Mr. Cat!
10:30 p.m.-close: Madisalsa
