Tickets go on sale for 2nd Bob James Jazz Festival

From left, Josh Hubbard, Jacob Martin and Josh Knox listen to advice from Clarence Smith prior to the concert at the first Bob James Jazz Festival in May 2011. Smith will again coordinate the clinic during the day at this year's event. Hubbard, Martin and Knox are Gilliam-area rock musicians who attended the first clinic.
(File photo)

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"We learned so much doing the first one, that planning has ... gone smoothly," said MCC Vice President Kathy Green. "Things are looking really good for this year. I'm excited."

This year, Bob James is slated to perform some of his classics with the Smith and Athon Group. He'll also lead the Master Class for piano and jazz students who want to participate in demonstration and discussion.

"We're keeping the cost low," said MCC board member Jacob Hatfield. "(The Master Class) is only $10."

According to Hatfield, the class should take place in Eckilson-Mabee Theatre at Missouri Valley College, and would mimic a lecture, with demonstrations by James. Clinics, however, will be in more intimate classroom settings and are often one-on-one training with professional jazz musicians.

Clinic leaders will include Clarence Smith, director of Kansas City Youth Jazz; Joe Athon, sax player and vocalist; Bill Richardson, trumpeter and jazz ensemble director at Northwest Missouri State University; and Bill McKemy, bass and keyboard player.

"Last year, there weren't as many brass instruments," Hatfield said, adding he feels the addition will reach a wider number of area musicians.

MCC has also reached out to local civic organizations such as the Marshall Optimist Club, which is organizing this year's concessions.

Fundraising for the event has been a yearlong process, and the MCC Craft and Art Festival, scheduled for March 24 at Marshall High School, will build a cushion for the 2013 event. Green is hoping 80 vendors will participate this spring.

"It was our biggest fundraiser last year," she said. "We'll have everything from cheese making to glass blowing. We'll be serving breakfast and lunch."

Vendors wishing to participate should contact Green at 660-886-9000. Registration forms are due by Wednesday, Feb. 29.

"We've come a long way," Green noted.

Tickets for the 2012 Bob James Jazz Festival, scheduled Saturday, May 19, are on sale now. The $10 Master Class is scheduled from 9-10 a.m. at MVC's Eckilson-Mabee Theatre. Clinics run throughout the day, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in the Morrison Fine Arts Center. The price is $35 and includes clinic participation, the Master Class and the concert.

For those who wish to only attend the concert, tickets are $25 or six for $125. It begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Harold Lickey Auditorium at Bueker Middle School.

Tickets can be purchased online at bobjamesjazzfest.eventbrite.com or www.marshallculturalcouncil.org. They can also be purchased at The Marshall Democrat-News office, located at 121 N. Lafayette Ave. in Marshall.

Marshall Cultural Council was formed in 2010 to support local arts and artists.

Contact Sarah Reed at
sreed@marshallnews.com